Some Surprises!

Earlier this week, I spent a few days in Starkville, Mississippi, home to Mississippi State University.

Home.

I grew up in Fentress, Mississippi, thirty minutes away from Starkville, down Mississippi Highway 12. I graduated with my B. A. and M. A. from there in the early ’90s.

Never did I ever dream that one day, a book I wrote would be required reading in a class offered by that university. Never did I ever think a book of mine would greet visitors to the English Department by being in a display next to the likes of Brad Watson, God rest his soul. (see photo–credit to Daughter #3 for that picture).

I did a lot of dreaming when I was a student there–but I never went that far in my mind.

I read my work to an audience while I was there that was so appreciative and seemed so interested in what I had to say about writing and the writing life. It was all I could do not to pinch myself standing in front of them.

(You can see the video of the event if you go to the Hurricane Baby: Stories page and click on “Press”)

And I sold and signed some books at that event as well. So lovely to be able to do that.

Then this weekend, I went to a small town new to me–Picayune, Mississippi. They had a street fair downtown; one of the booth organizers had reached out on social media for Mississippi authors, and I volunteered to go. Spent this afternoon talking to folks and selling my dark little story collection. I didn’t really know what to expect as far as sales there–I’d never done an outdoor venue like that before.

And I sold half the books I took–about as many books than I’d actually sold at the university event.

Readers are everywhere, y’all. Make hay while the sun shines.