Rick Bragg Book Signings

I mentioned in a previous blog that Rick Bragg will have a book signing for The Prince of Frogtown at Books-A-Million in Oxford, AL on May 7 at 7: p.m.

Then, I received an email from Ellen Ward at FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA he will have a book signing on Wednesday, May 28th at 7pm. FoxTale Book Shoppe is located at 105 E. Main St., #138, Woodstock, GA 30188
770/516-9989, www.foxtalebookshoppe.com

So, if you can't make it on May 7 in Oxford, then you can try to attend the one on May 28th in Woodstock. Either way, be sure to have your Summer issue of Longleaf Style in hand for him to sign too!

Click HERE for Rick Bragg's book signing schedule.

Longleaf Moments

Let it be known that I am glad the Summer deadline is past and I feel alive once again! Yes, the Summer 2008 issue of Longleaf Style has gone to the printer!

I know I say this with every issue, but we are so excited about the Summer issue! It will feature stories on the Negro Baseball League and Bob Motley, the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball League. Also, profiles on author Daniel Wallace and Jimmy Carter, the only original member of The Blind Boys of Alabama, plus Chilean Wine and Growing Herbs.

We also have an excerpt from Rick Bragg's new book, The Prince ofFrogtown and a Q&A with Rick about the book. Seriously, this is another fabulous story from Rick. Mark your calendar because he will be at the Books-A-Million in Oxford on May 7 at 7 p.m. for a book signing for The Prince of Frogtown.

The Summer issue will mail out on May 6 and be available in stores that week. Speaking of stores, I'd like to welcome GoodBook Christian Store in Oxford as another location you can purchase Longleaf Style. I love going to GoodBook because Tim Skinner knows my taste in books and always has great recommendations for me...sad to say that it is a a rare find in bookstores today!

Oh, and we were notified last week that we won a GAMMA award from The Magazine Association of the Southeast or MAGS for 2007. We won't find out until the MAGS conference, May 6, but we are thrilled!

Our team has already started working on the Fall issue and it will be a bit on the edgy side. Stay tuned for more...

Deadlines

From Merriam-Webster
Main Entry: deadline
Pronunciation: \-ˌlīn\
Function: noun
Date: 1864
1: a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot2 a: a date or time before which something must be done b: the time after which copy is not accepted for a particular issue of a publication

It is not by accident the two definitions of deadlines are centered around prisoners and publications. Deadlines not only help me in the prevention of low blood pressure, but they keep me humble and honest.

This week is the final deadline for Longleaf Style magazine, of which I am the managing editor. I can make no more excuses about being held captive to a deadline since it is going to print on Friday. My hair seems thinner, words seem to blurry and I may have a slight panic attack on Thursday for fear of missing something. But, it will be worth it all when the Summer 2008 issue is mailed out in May.

I've heard nothing but fabulous comments about the Spring 2008 issue and I think you will be just as excited with the Summer. Our cover story is on the Negro Baseball League and centers around an untold story in our neck of the woods. The personality feature is about the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball League, who was born and raised in Alabama. His life is amazing and I have learned more about baseball than I ever imagined...and I am married to a sports broadcaster!

The Negro Baseball League is quite popular today, some might say "politically correct", but it has not always been that way. Even the Major League pays homage to the players, who were not allowed to play for them. Now, that is ironic! I didn't plan on writing the cover story but I have poured so much time, research and energy into it. So, I do hope readers will love it as much as I have writing it.

OK, so I must go...I'm on a deadline.

Kathryn Tucker Windham in Jacksonville

The JSU Continuing Education Department presents Kathryn Tucker Windham-The Ghost Lady Presents: The Art of Storytelling Workshop, this Sat., April 12, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the JSU McClellan Campus Auditorium. The cost is $20. For more information, call 256-782-5918

Ms. Windham was the personality feature in the Summer 2007 issue of Longleaf Style and everyone involved with the story simply fell in love with her. You need to attend this workshop and learn from a pro about the art of story telling!

That's Sew Gee's Bend

If you read about "That's Sew Gee's Bend" in the spring 2008 issue of Longleaf Style, you can see the quilters in person at the Noble Street Festival in Anniston on May 2. I received this from That's Sew Gee's Bend:

Sister quilters and entreprenuers from Gee's Bend, Alabama, Tinnie Dell and Minnie Mae Pettway will bring their collection of quilts, pot holders, wall art and other items from their company, That's SEW Gee's Bend, Incorporated to Anniston for the opening night of the Noble Street Festival on May 2nd from 6-10 pm.

Along with their daughter/niece and son-in-law Claudia and Frederick Charley who helped shape the company, they have been extremely busy since being incorporated in June of last year. They have been featured in newspapers (business section of the Montgomery Advertiser, The Anniston Star and Cleburne News) and magazines (Longleaf Style, spring edition 08'). They have also been displayed in regional museums, galleries and private shows such as the Mason Murer (Atlanta), Chris McNair Art Gallery and Museum (Birmingham), The Colonial Cottage in Heflin and recently the YWCA's "Arts of Passion" fundraiser for the programs for the women and children of the YWCA. They are also slated for shows in Gadsden and Sylacuaga, Alabama later this year. The sisters private collection line is called "Tinnie Pieces with Minnie Designs"

This "family owned for community unity" company, headquartered in Pell City, Alabama, is a business that wants to be more than the quilts that has made this town famous. That's SEW Gee's Bend also wants to enhance the town's sense of pride with future development and to bring jobs to the community through showing the history and "tastes" of Gee's Bend. The company is also preparing in the near future to represent any of the local quilters (not affiliated with the collective) who wants to have their quilt represented on their website (www.geesbend.net ) For any additional information call DeLon Charley at 205-473-1516 or Claudia Charley at 205-994-1979

That's SEW Gee's Bend is a separate entity and business and is not affiliated with the collective of quilters of Gee's Bend which is represented by Tinwood Alliance out of Atlanta, Georgia.

2006 Summer issue

I've posted a few articles from the Summer 2006 issue. Check them out!

The Essential Harry Case

Stone of Heaven: The Jade Exhibit at Berman Museum

Why Longleaf? Behind the magazine's name

The Magic of Fannie Flagg

If there is one thing about writing and editing, it is one should always be prepared.

Many folks in and around Anniston know Sherry Kughn from her previous article in Longleaf Style, her years working at The Anniston Star and her series of books on encouragement for Christian mothers. But, I learned Sherry is always up for a challenge.

Sherry expected to interview Alabama native Fannie Flagg, who lives in California, but had not scheduled a time with her publicist. One day, while shopping, Sherry's cell phone rang and it was Fannie Flagg! Sherry had to scramble around to find paper and didn't have any of her notes or questions. Graciously, Fannie not only called her back five minutes later, but read some questions Sherry emailed previously, then answered them! Sherry said Fannie was simply wonderful.

Look for more about Fannie Flagg, including where her new novel will be set, in the Spring 2008 issue of Longleaf Style.