Lone Star ReviewsMichelle Newby, NBCC,
Contributing Editor
Texas ReadsGlenn Dromgoole
>> archive
Photographer recorded ’70s music scene
Albany cattleman/photographer Watt Casey Jr. relives the eclectic Austin music scene in the 1970s in his impressive new book, My Guitar Is a Camera (Texas A&M University Press, $35 hardcover).
In photographs and accompanying text, Casey displays his up-close and personal acquaintance with some of the greatest musicians of that era: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Eric Clapton, the Eagles, the Oak Ridge Boys, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Kinky Friedman, Merle Haggard, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fats Domino, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Carlos Santana, Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Garcia, Leon Russell, Joe Ely — the list goes on and on.
Casey was a young photojournalism student at the University of Texas when he became fascinated with the music and the musicians playing in Austin. His photography pursuits would take him across the country in the ’70s and early ’80s.
“I had a front-row seat — or better — to one of the most creative, formative, and occasionally crazy times in Texas and American popular music history,” Casey writes. Rock star Steve Miller encouraged Casey to put this collection together and even wrote a foreword for the book, calling it “a time capsule full of previously unseen treasures.”
Casey was featured this weekend at the Texas Book Festival in Austin. He will sign copies of his book at the Old Jail Art Center in his hometown of Albany from 5–6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Sandra Brown: The latest romantic thriller from Texas bestselling novelist Sandra Brown is Seeing Red (Grand Central Publishing, $27 hardcover). The story involves the Major, who became an American hero after he helped several people survive the bombing of a Dallas hotel twenty-five years ago. But in recent years the Major has refused all interviews.
Now comes TV journalist Kerra Bailey, who manages to get the Major to agree to an exclusive interview, and she plans to reveal a big surprise on national TV — that she was the little girl pictured with the Major coming out of the bombed hotel. She gets her scoop, but soon she and the Major are both in danger for their lives, and the Major’s angry, reclusive and very sexy son interjects himself into the middle of the mystery.
As usual, Sandra Brown keeps the action at a fast pace with several erotic scenes spicing up the narrative. If you’re looking for a PG-type read, this isn’t it. More like an R.
Glenn Dromgoole’s latest book is West Texas StoriesContact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.
>> Check out his previous Texas Reads columns in Lone Star Literary Life
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LONE STAR LISTENS interviews >> archive
Author interviews by Kay Ellington
11.5.2017 Lori Wilde has readers going wild for her Twilight, Texas series and other award-winning romance novels
Lori Wilde is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over eighty romance novels. She is a three-time RITA award nominee and a four time Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice nominee. Texans may remember that for three days in 2014, the city of Granbury declared itself to be Twilight, Texas, the setting of Wilde’s novels, with scenes and reenactors from her books during the holidays. Since Wilde has written several books with a holiday theme, she seemed like the perfect author to kick off our 2017 season of celebrations and holiday books. She talked with us via email about when life imitates literature in Twilight, Texas.
LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE: Where were you born and raised, Lori, and how have the places you’ve lived influenced your writing?
LORI WILDE: I was born in Abilene, Texas. I lived there until the age of six, when my father’s job as a journalist took him to Lubbock. We lived there for a year. Then we moved to Oklahoma and lived in three different towns. When I was nine, we moved to Fort Worth. We stayed there for three years and then moved to Stephenville. Finally, when I was fifteen we moved to Weatherford. I’ve lived in the Fort Worth area ever since. Moving around a lot was hard for this introverted kid. Books became my friends.
What authors did you enjoy reading growing up?
Mark Twain, Caddy Woodlawn, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Agatha Christie. Honestly, I would read just about anything I could get my hands on. >>READ MORE
Texas’s only statewide, weekly calendar of book events
Bookish Texas event highlights 11.5.2017 >> GO this week Michelle Newby, Contributing Editor
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
- World Fantasy 2017, San Antonio, November 2-5
- George West Storyfest, November 3-5
- Texas Book Festival, Austin, November 4-5
- Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy Annual Celebration of Reading, Dallas, November 7
- Writers In the Schools (WITS) Gala 2017, Houston, November 9
- Fresh Fiction’s Readers & ’ritas 2017, Allen, November 10–12
- SCBWI Austin Novel Writing Retreat, Temple, November 10–12
- McAllen Book Festival, November 11
- Poetry Society of Texas 61st Annual Awards Banquet, Dallas, November 11
- Writespace Writers’ Family Reunion, Houston, November 11
- Zine Fest Houston 2017, November 11
- Building a Writing Life: Getting Out of Our Own Way, a Weekend Writing Retreat with ire’ne lara silva, Maxwell, November 11–12
AUSTIN Mon., Nov. 6 Waterloo Records, Donna Marie Miller and James White sign The Broken Spoke: Austin’s Legendary Honky–Tonk, 5PM
HOUSTON Mon., Nov. 6 Stude Concert Hall, Inprint Houston’s Margarett Root Brown Reading Series hosts Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jennifer Egan reading from Manhattan Beach, and New York Times bestselling–author Claire Messud reading from The Burning Girl, 7:30PM (Preceded by fundraiser happy hour hosted by Inprint Houston, Lucille’s, 5:30PM)
EL PASO Tues., Nov. 7 Blackbird Cantina, Cinco Puntos Press’ Mama Bravo’s Book Club & Social Hour hosts Eileen Myles reading and signing Afterglow: A Dog Memoir, TBA
MIDLAND Tues., Nov. 7 Wagner–Noël Performing Arts Center, An evening with humor writer David Sedaris, 7PM
SAN ANTONIO Wed., Nov. 8 The Twig Book Shop, an evening with publishers from Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Trinity University Press, and University of Texas Press to highlight hot titles for this holiday season, 6PM
AUSTIN Thurs., Nov. 9 Malvern Books, launch of the graphic novel I, Parrot by Deb Olin Unferth, with illustrations by artist Elizabeth Haidle (in conversation with award–winning writer Mary Helen Specht), 7PM
DALLAS Thurs., Nov. 9 Hall of State at Fair Park, Dallas Historical Society presents Preservation Houston’s Jim Parsons and David Bush as they discuss and sign their latest book, Dallas–Fort Worth Deco, 6PM
HOUSTON Thurs., Nov. 10 Brazos Bookstore, Jared Yates Sexton discusses and signs THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO RISE LIKE WATERS UPON YOUR SHORE, 7PM
DALLAS Sun., Nov. 12 Interabang Books, Workshop: The Writers Bloc presents “Getting Your (Writing) Groove Back!” with Kathleen Baldwin and Patience Griffin, 5PM
News Briefs 11.5.17
Above: authors Melissa Lenhardt, Don Graham, Vanetta Chapman
Burnet Library expands; kicks off
Coffee Talks Series VII for 2017–18
BURNET— The Herman Brown Free Library in Burnet will be hosting the Grand Opening of their new Library Expansion Project — Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. with a new genealogy research room and a quiet, restful reading and public computer area.
The Burnet Library continues to offer its monthly Author Coffee Talks series, bringing to Burnet some of Texas’s leading authors. Here’s the organization’s slate for the upcoming year. >>READ MORE
Texas Book Festival 2017 Highlights
Nov. 4–5, 2017, Austin
While most of the Lone Star Literary team were back in West Texas this weekend producing our annual Holiday Gift Guide and our regular Sunday issue, book review editor Michelle Newby was on the ground in Austin — checking out all the action at the annual Texas Book Festival, hobnobbing with authors, and even moderating a session. We’ll share more on social media, but for now, here are a few highlights from Saturday and Sunday.
McAllen Book Festival to feature eighteen authors in fourth year, Nov. 11
McALLEN — Benjamin Alire Sáenz, the winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the American Book Award, will be among 18 authors at the Fourth Annual McAllen Book Festival to be held Saturday, Nov. 11 at the McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd.
A free event sponsored by the McAllen Public Library the festival will also feature Rachel Caine, a multiple New York Times bestselling author of books in a wide variety of genres, including thriller, mystery, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, science fiction, and young adult. She has published more than fifty novels to date. Her notable series are Stillhouse Lake (thriller), The Great Library (young adult), Morganville Vampires (young adult), and Weather Warden (urban fantasy).
Other authors include Xavier Garza, author, artist, teacher, and storyteller whose work is a lively documentation of life, dreams, superstitions, and heroes in the larger-than-life world of South Texas. Garza has exhibited his art and performed his stories in venues throughout Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. He is the author and illustrator of several children’s and young adult books, including Maximilian and the Lucha Libre Club and The Donkey Lady Fights La Llorona and Other Stories. Garza lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his family. >>READ MORE
Odessa Council for Arts & Humanities features “An Evening with David Sedaris” Tues., Nov 7 at Wagner-Noël
ODESSA — David Sedaris, award-winning author and critic, will appear at the Wagner-Noël Performing Arts Center in Midland Tues., Nov. 7, 2017, at 7 p.m.
With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, Sedaris has become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. >>READ MORE
————— A D V E R T I S E M E N T —————
Lone Star Listens compilation available fall 2017, for readers, fans, and writers everywhere
The present generation of Texas authors is the most diverse ever in gender, age, and ethnicity, and in subject matter as well.
Week in, week out, Lone Star Literary has interviewed a range of Texas-related authors with a cross-section of genre and geography. To capture this era in Texas letters, we’re pleased to bring you
Lone Star Listens:
Texas Authors on Writing and Publishing
edited by Kay Ellington and Barbara Brannon; introduction by
Clay Reynolds
Available in trade paper, library hardcover, and ebook Fall 2017
360 pages, with b/w illustrations and index
Featuring novelists, poets, memoirists, editors, and publishers, including:
Rachel Caine • Chris Cander • Katherine Center • Chad S. Conine • Sarah Cortez • Elizabeth Crook • Nan Cuba • Carol Dawson • Patrick Dearen • Jim Donovan • Mac Engel • Sanderia Faye • Carlos Nicolás Flores • Ben Fountain • Jeff Guinn • Stephen Harrigan • Cliff Hudder • Stephen Graham Jones • Kathleen Kent • Joe R. Lansdale • Melissa Lenhardt • Attica Locke • Nikki Loftin • Thomas McNeely • Leila Meacham • John Pipkin • Joyce Gibson Roach • Antonio Ruiz-Camacho • Lisa Sandlin • Donna Snyder • Mary Helen Specht • Jodi Thomas • Amanda Eyre Ward • Ann Weisgarber • Donald Mace Williams
As a collection of insights into the writing and publishing life, the book will be useful in creative writing classes (not just in Texas alone) and other teaching settings, as well as for solo reading and study—and a great Texas reference volume.
- Examination and review copies will be available fall 2017 in watermarked pdf format.
LONE STAR CLASSIFIED LISTINGS
FEATURED: WORKSHOPS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION
.29.17 Finally — the writing community you’ve been searching for! Are you looking for experienced, published authors who will read your work, give you credible feedback, and help you on your path to publishing—affordably and efficiently?
Come be a part of the first-ever Paragraph Ranch Writers’ Workshop, brought to you from the creators of Lone Star Literary Life. This weekend workshop, Dec. 1–3, 2017, led by popular fantasy author Tex Thompson, will support writers in the development of their voices and the practice of their craft. Located in a picturesque Western setting in the caprock country of Spur, Texas, this retreat welcomes writers of all ages, levels of experience, and genres.
All lodging and meals are included (with optional discount for shared or off-site lodging).
Email info@lonestarliterary.com or for more information visit www.lonestarpublicity.com/product-page/paragraph-ranch-writers-weekend-2017-with-tex-thompson
>>READ MORE CLASSIFIED LISTINGS
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COMING UP ON TOUR: NONFICTION
Chicano Soul (10th ed.) by Ruben Molina Visit with Ruben Nov. 9–18, 2017
11/9/17 Promo The Page Unbound
11/10/17 Promo Texas Book Lover
11/11/17 Review A Page Before Bedtime
11/12/17 Promo Books and Broomsticks
11/13/17 Review Hall Ways Blog
11/14/17 Promo Chapter Break Book Blog
11/15/17 Review Missus Gonzo
11/16/17 Promo Syd Savvy
11/17/17 Promo Tangled in Text
11/18/17 Review Forgotten Winds
COMING UP ON TOUR: FICTION
To Marry a Texas Outlaw by Linda Broday Visit with Linda Nov. 10–19, 2017
11/10/17 Author Video Books in the Garden
11/11/17 Review Texan Girl Reads
11/12/17 Excerpt Margie’s Must Reads
11/13/17 Review Tangled in Text
11/14/17 Character Interview The Page Unbound
11/15/17 Guest Post StoreyBook Reviews
11/16/17 Review Books and Broomsticks
11/17/17 Top Ten List A Page Before Bedtime
11/18/17 Review Chapter Break Book Blog
11/19/17 Scrapbook Page Reading by Moonlight
CONTINUING ON TOUR: FICTION
Bombshell by Pamela Fagan Hutchins Visit with Pamela through Nov. 10, 2017
1-Nov Character Interview Hall Ways Blog
1-Nov Guest Post 1 Books in the Garden
2-Nov Review Texan Girl Reads
3-Nov Video Interview Texas Book Lover
3-Nov Guest Post 2 Books and Broomsticks
4-Nov Review Momma on The Rocks
5-Nov Review Tangled in Text
6-Nov Excerpt Reading by Moonlight
6-Nov Guest Post 3 Forgotten Winds
7-Nov Review Syd Savvy
8-Nov Scrapbook Page StoreyBook Reviews
8-Nov Scrapbook Page The Librarian Talks
9-Nov Guest Post 4 Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books
10-Nov Review Chapter Break Book Blog
10-Nov Review Missus Gonzo
CONTINUING ON TOUR: FICTION
One Night in Sixes by Arianne “Tex” Thompson Visit with Tex through Nov. 14
11/5/17 Promo Hall Ways Blog
11/6/17 Excerpt Chapter Break Book Blog
11/7/17 Review Reading by Moonlight
11/8/17 Scrapbook Texan Girl Reads
11/9/17 Author Interview Books and Broomsticks
11/10/17 Guest Post Tangled in Text
11/11/17 Review Syd Savvy
11/12/17 Review The Librarian Talks
11/13/17 Sneak Peek A Page Before Bedtime
11/14/17 Review Forgotten Winds
RECENTLY ON TOUR: FICTION
Death in D Minor by Alexia Gordon
RECENTLY ON TOUR: FICTION
A Good Girl by Johnnie Bernhard
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