Dispatch: Panama City
Pam is over in Fort Walton Beach visiting Eddie. He met me in Sandestin yesterday evening to pick up his mama and a copy of DW. The exchange was squeezed into the end of a busy day. I had a TV appearance at 6 a.m. Then I rushed over to Rutherford High to talk to students, then over to Everett Jr. High to visit with journalism students, then off to Florida State University for yet another class. That was all followed by dinner party with the other authors. Books Alive kicks off this morning at Gulf Coast Community College.
One of the authors speaking today will be Tori McClure. Tori is a modern day explorer. She crossed the Atlantic solo and wrote a book The Pearl in the Storm. She has a Masters in Div from Harvard & her MFA from Spaulding. Tori is under consideration for the lead job at Spaulding. She’s also an ice climber. I met Tori at a reception at Gerry & Barbara Clemons home. Gerry was former mayor of Panama City and his son is the current mayor.
Daniel Wallace is another author who will be speaking today at Books Alive. Daniel is best known for his book Big Fish. A multi-talented man, Daniel teaches at UNC and is an artist. His rendition of author Sonny Brewer will soon appear on the cover of an Alabama magazine. Last night he carried a copy of DW, a book he praised for it’s very striking cover.
Tony Simmons will also be in attendance at Books Alive. Simmons is a local author, online editor of the newspaper, and former feature writer at the paper. I met him the night before last at the Clemons home where I did a reading from DW and Tony wrote about it.
Masha Hamilton is presenting today. If you aren’t familiar with Masha’s work she’s doing great things with the Afghan Women’s Project. Be sure to hop over to Masha’s site and check out her work.
Patti Callahan Henry will be appearing at Books Alive at the same time I will be, which is a dang shame. That means we are going to split the audience. But we’ll pull them back together this afternoon with the three of us — Daniel, Patti and I — appear on a panel together.So if you’re in the Bay County area, you want to head on out. It’s going to be a great day for book lovers.
And the woman responsible for all of this is the tender-hearted Bettina Mead. That’s her in the purple visiting Janis Lucas and Dr. Mark Green, author of A Night with Saddam. Thanking the authors for coming during last night’s event, Bettina broke into tears. She wept again as she bowed her head and gave thanks on behalf of everyone present. Bettina is one of those rare beautiful souls who considers work a God-given opportunity.
We sure enjoyed meeting you, Karen, and wish you all the best. Hope you enjoyed Panama City and will come back to visit with us here again.
So glad you got to see Eddie for a brief visit!
Wow, just today I read Daniel Wallace’s funny piece in Our State Magazine (Down Home in North Carolina) – the February issue…and now you’re down there on a panel with him! I just ordered his book! Coincidence? Small world? You meet such interesting people, Karen! Thanks for sharing.
Ellen: Daniel is a hoot. And regarding that small world? Not if you’re driving it.
Gary: Yep. Short visit with Eddie. He’s a busy boy. Pam has left me now.
Tony: Loved meeting you.