Michael Malone Guest of Honor at Faulkner Reception

Michael Malone, one of the wittiest writers in America, author of the southern classic, Handling Sin, will be the Faulkner Society’s guest of honor Sunday afternoon, May 17 at a reception, featuring food, wine, and music at The Cabildo at Jackson Square.

Michael will be signing his new novel, “Four Corners of the Sky.” Copies of other work also will be available.  The time is 3 p. m. to 5 p. m.

The event is free and open to the public.  Please RSVP, so we can plan for food and wine, to this e-mail address or by calling (504) 524-2940.  Copies of Michael’s new book can be reserved at the same time with credit card information.

 

New Deadline for Faulkner Wisdom Writing Competition

The deadline for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing
Competition has been extended from May 1 to June 1, 2009.

The Faulkner Society made the determination to extend the deadline at
the request of more than 60 writers who called to say they were having
problems meeting the deadline.  As our goal is to help writers, we
decided that an extension is reasonable.

 

2008-09 Literacy Challenge Winners

This just in from Words & Music 2007 faculty member Deborah LeBlanc:

Dear Friends,
I’m thrilled to announce the winners of the 2008–2009 Literacy Challenge and National Writing Challenge! We had a phenomenal number of participants this year, and out of the top quiz scores on the Literacy Challenge, the judges had a very difficult time scoring the essays because so many of them were spectacular! But the cream did rise to the top. Congratulations go to all the participants, however. Some of you may not have won a prize this year, but you stepped up and took the Challenge, and stepping up to any occasion and opportunity ALWAYS makes you a winner! )
Now, without further ado, I’d like to present the winners!!

2008-2009 LITERACY CHALLENGE WINNERS

GRAND PRIZE WINNER $5000:
Shane Papillion (17 yrs. Old)- Pittsburg Pa

2ND PLACE WINNER: (Desktop computer)
Louis Valmore–  Tacoma, Wa

3rd PLACE WINNER: $175 Bookstore Gift Certificate
Linda Swofford (15 yrs old) Houston, Tx

4th PLACE WINNER: $100 Bookstore Gift Certificate
Jody Dabon- (18 yrs old) Detroit Michigan

5th PLACE WINNER: $50 Bookstore Gift Certficate
Carrey  Hamil–  Louisville, Ky

6th PLACE WINNER: $25 Bookstore Gift Certificate
Ruby Gustave –Baton Rouge, La

7th PLACE WINNER: $25 Bookstore Gift Certificate
Anne  Hager–  Pensacola Florida

8th PLACE WINNER: $25 Bookstore Gift Certificate
Evelyn Teshi    Little Rock, Arkansas

9th PLACE WINNER: $25 Bookstore Gift Certificate
Jessie Franks–  (14 yrs old) New Orleans, La

10th PLACE WINNER: $25 Bookstore Gift Certificate
Amador Savilas – Valdosta, Ga.

2008-2009 TOP THREE WINNERS COMMENTS

“Dear Ms. Leblanc,
I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity you gave me with the challenge. I still can’t believe I WON!! WOOHOO!!! Thank you so much! This money will sooo help with school!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!”
(Shane Papillion (17 yrs. Old)- Pittsburg Pa

“Deborah,
Your call was just what I needed on an otherwise dreadful Friday morning. You have no idea the ray of sunlight you’ve brought into my life. Thank you for that, and thank you for giving so many people hope with your literacy challenge. May God richly bless you.”
Louis Valmore -Tacoma, Wa.

“Wow!! I can’t believe I won third place! You’re the best Ms. Leblanc, thank you!! I can’t wait to use my gift certificate and order more books! $175–WOW!!!!”
Linda Swofford (15 yrs old) Houston, Tx.

2008-2009 NATIONAL WRITING CHALLENGE WINNERS
Literacy Inc.’s National Writing Challenge is designed to encourage students between the ages of 13 and 19 to practice and develop their writing skills. According to the National Endowment for the Arts Executive Summary, To Read or Not to Read: A Question of National Consequence, 81% of employers rate job entrants as deficient in written communication. Our Writing Challenge is designed to encourage students to write by merging excitement with writing through concrete, valuable incentives. The prizes in the Writing Challenge include:
$1000 in cash for first place; $250 book store gift certificate for second place; $200 book store gift certificate for third place; $150 book store gift certificate for fourth place; $100 book store gift certificate to fifth place
And the winners of the 2008-2009 National Writing Challenge are:
1st Place – Thomas Gifford -(14 yrs old)  Shreveport, La.
2nd Place–Marissa Newfounder (16 yrs old) Wichita, Ks.
3rd Place–Kyle Useman – Salt Lake City, Ut.
4th Place–  Kevin Mathews–Kansas City, Mo.
5th Place–  Alicia Rhodes – Atlanta, Georgia

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!
News about the new Literacy Challenge and National Writing Challenge for 2009-2010 will be coming soon, so keep an eye on the website at www.theleblancchallenge.com! Congratulations again to all!! — Deborah

 

Dr. Adelaide M. Russoflsu Named French Prize Winner

The Modern Language Association of America, headquartered in NewYork, recently announced its  16th annual Aldo and JeanneScaglione Prize for French and Francophone Literary Studies to longtime Faulkner Society patron Dr. Adelaide M. Russo of Louisiana  State  University.

The award was presented to Dr. Russo in recognition of her her book, Le Peintre Comme Modeledu Surrealisme, published by Presses Universitaires due Septentrion.

The prize  is awarded annually for an outstanding book in its field: a literary or linguistic study, a critical edition of an important work, or a critical biography written by a member of the association.

Russo was awarded a cash prize of $2,000, along with the Association’s certificate of recognition for the prize.

 

Faulkner Finalist Announces Book Release

Hot on the heels of the hit film Australia comes an award-winning novel of loss, Aboriginal lives and suspense set in today’s Australian outback.

In 2002 and 2001, the novel Message Stick was a finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom competition. The book also won the James Jones Literary Society Award and the Hackney Literary Award. Creation of the novel was supported by two grants from the Jerome Foundation and residencies at the New York Mills Cultural Center and the Cornucopia Arts Center.

Message Stick is a modern tale of brothers lost and found. Movie fans who enjoy the Aboriginal touches in Australia will find similar elements in Message Stick. Since the main characters were both products of the government’s assimilation policy, a program that removed biracial and light-skinned Aboriginal children from their biological families, the wrenching exploitation of each man is front and center. The mystical elements of the shamans’ knowledge are woven throughout the book along with traditional Dreamtime tales.

For more on this book, visit www.LaineCunningham.com. Author Laine Cunningham spent six months camping alone in the Australian outback. She hiked the rugged terrain, cooked over an open fire, and learned to play the didgeridoo. The spirits of the land spoke to her as she met Australians from every walk of life. Each of her novels weaves the beliefs and cultural norms of different peoples into modern plotlines. Her next book, due out in February of 2009, details the ancient lessons Dreamtime tales offer modern people from every nation.

 

Words & Music: Final Fun

A few parting shots from an enjoyable four days in the Big Easy. Click on any photo to see full size… “So long, ooh long, How long ya gonna be gone?”

See y’all next year!

Editor Will Murphy, Faulkner finalist Jennifer Veser and?

“We should be dancing, yeah…” Katherine Chamblee cuts a rug!

Authors Ken Wells and Jack Davis talk shop

More shop talk: authors Tom Piazza, James Nolan and agent Deborah Grosvenor

Faulkner finalist Nancy Brock of Columbia, South Carolina

Playboy magazine editor Lee Froelich with Danish poet Gordon Walmsley

Agent Deborah Grosvenor with Faulkner finalist Shari Stauch

Chuck Adams asks, “Where’d ya get the cool hat?”

Jenny & Kenny: on the dance floor

Editor Carole DeSanti and agent Michael Murphy toast to success

Absinthe: It makes the heart grow fonder…?

Faulkner finalist Caleb Powell of Seattle, WA with champ editor Chuck Adams

Writers Brenda McClain and Kristin Sanders try to teach Will Murphy a little cajun dancing

Rosemary James and Sharon Donovan discuss the architecture of a roof

Rosemary James and writer Aya Goto laughing it up between sessions

Faulkner Books’ Joe DeSalvo keeps busy at the conference bookmart

Talking shop in the book mart (and trying to look casual in the face of the camera)

The age of jazz? Will Murphy demonstrates “jazz hands”… And on that note…

 

Words & Music: Day Four!

The final day of Words & Music featured several more agent/editor critiques, and another full day of programming, including an appearance by the legendary Michael Lang, creator of Woodstock! Fun TRUE fact: Michael wanted the closing act of Woodstock to be Roy Rogers singing “Happy Trails” – When the Roy Rogers group turned down the offer, Jimi Hendrix instead closed with, as we all know, a memorable version of the Star Bangled Banner that has lived on in the hearts and minds of a generation of music lovers…

The day closed with another successful Tall Tales competition at the Herman Grima House. Three time champ Ken Wells, despite a rousing rap version of the Five Minute Gatsby, was finally unseated from his Tall Tale throne by author Julia Glass, whose delightful tale of multiple Roy Blount Jrs had the gathered crowd in stitches.

Enjoy photos of the final day (click on any to enlarge).

Literary editor Carrie Kania (center) led the opening session on Fiction’s “Short End of the Stick” – Short Fiction, featuring Simon Van Booy (left), Moira Crone and Barb Johnson. At right, rocker turned author Tony O’Neill

Speakers Moira Crone with her book What Gets Into Us, and Simon Van Booy, author of the Secret Lives of People in Love

Featured in the second panel of the day, Robert Olen Butler on fiction in short takes. Bob read delightful short takes from his newest masterpiece, Intercourse

Chuck Adams (left) led the next panel on Spiritual Journeys: Recapturing the American Dream. Featured authors included Tony O’Neill, author of Hero of the Underground and Down & Out on Murder Mile…

… along with Jack Fuller, retired publisher and editor of the Chicago Tribune, whose new novel Abbeville is about the failed dreams of generations of Americans

McAdam/Cage senior editor Pat Walsh introduced the literature and lunch panel at the Hotel Monteleone Riverview Room

Featured luncheon speakers included Walsh, along with authors Julia Glass, Andrew Davidson and Stewart O’Nan, talking about Making it Big with a Debut Novel!

Michael Murphy led several event panels as the director of Agents & Editors for this year’s Words & Music festival

An afternoon session gathered participants in a round table discussion of the Jazz Age and whether we are on the brink of a new age in music in writing

The day’s final session featured celebrated music writer Holly George-Warren and Tony Piazza, on a panel titled, “So You Want to Be a Rock Star!”

Michael Lang, creator of Woodstock, and music historian Susan Fleet team on a panel, The American Dream: So You Want to be a Rock Star!

And what’s a panel discussion on music without a little melody? Author, panelist and jazz pianist Tom Piazza offers guests a rare treat

 

Words & Music: Day Three!

Between over one hundred agent and editor critiques, a full day of phenomenal programming and an evening featuring the legendary Ted Turner, Day Three of Words & Music was a constant flurry of activity. Energetic panelists brought new insights to everything from fiction and non-fiction to music and its influence on literature to the Hollywood experience and more!

Click on any photo in the gallery for a larger view – enjoy a view of the day!

Saturday kicked off with a session addressing new trends and classic approaches to creating literary works. Shown here are Tony O’Neill and Brandi Bowles

Stewart O’Nan and Julia Glass are part of the lead-off session what works in contemporary fiction and non-fiction

The Hollywood experience was introduced by Dr. Janet Haedicke (left) with lively panelists Robert Olen Butler and screenwriters Alex Metcalf, Loraine Despres, and Ron Shelton.

Following the film panel was a special screening of (what else?!) The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby and Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan

Literature and Lunch at the Hotel Monteleone features Bruce Tracy introducing National book award winner Julia Glass…

… as well as Rosemary Daniell, author of Secrets of the Zona Rosa, and Loraine Despres, author of the The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell

After lunch, agent Emma Sweeney led a panel on the Art of Fiction: Reality vs. Imagination, featuring City of Refuge author Tom Piazza, former rocker turned novelist Tony O’Neill, and Canadian author Andrew Davidson whose debut novel The Gargoyle has been a smash hit!

Jass artists and authors Tom Piazza (piano) and Tom Sancton (clarinet), offer passionate insights into Fitgerald, Gatsby and All That Jazz!

Author and playwright Elizabeth Dewberry introduces a special evening panel featuring Ted Turner and Roy Blount, Jr

The legend in his own time, Ted Turner, author of the new book Call Me Ted, is interviewed by author and humorist Roy Blount, Jr

The Tom Scanton ensemble, featuring author, journalist and jazz clarinetist Tom Sancton!

From l-r, Faulkner Society board chair Anne Simms Pincus, Faulkner Society co-founder Rosemary James, and Ron Simms Pincus, general manager of the Hotel Monteleone

The crowd at the Faulkner awards banquet gives a standing ovation to Words & Music chairman Rosemary James, a tireless advocate of the writer

Acclaimed author and the Faulkner awards banquet master of ceremonies, Michael Malone!

Junior essayist Mason accepts accolades from Rosemary James

Debbie Jo Blank of Tucson, AZ accepts the Gold Medal for Poetry

James Nolan accepts the Gold Medal prize for Best Novel, judged by Michael Murphy

Short story judge Stuart O’Nan with Short Story gold medalist Ladee Hubbard of New Orleans

Faulkner Novel-in-Progress finalist Brenda McClain with Pulitzer prize winning novelist Robert Olen Butler

At left, Novel in Progress judge Deborah Grosvenor and at right, gold medalist Tena Russ!

Random House senior editor Will Murphy with Latin performance poet Jose Torres Tama

 

Words & Music: Agents & Editors

Friday afternoon saw an eager gathering of writers flocking around a veritable treasure trove of the publishing world, some of the nation’s top agents and editors! Michael Murphy, 2008 faculty chairman and founder of Max & Co. A Literary Agency & Social Club, led the panel called “Oprah for a Day” – asking each editor and agent to say what THEY’D change about the publishing game if they could.

A lively discussion ensued, with several suggestions as to challenges and opportunities within the publishing industry, and writers were given keen insights into the passion behind the publishing gurus. Following the panel discussion, writers signed up for editor and agent critiques. A feature of each year’s Words & Music festival, tuition includes BOTH an agent and editor critique for each particpant!

Enjoy our gallery below (click on any individual photo to expand).

Agents and editors, l-r: Will Murphy, Tanya McKinnon, Carrie Kania and Jeff Kleinman

Michael Murphy led the panel, asking each faculty member what they’d do if they could change pubishing.

Agents & Editors, l-r: Brandi Bowles, Bruce Tracy, Pat Walsh and Deborah Grosvenor

an agent with Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Inc., in Brooklyn, New York

Bruce Tracy, Executive Editor and Editorial Director of Villard for the Random House Publishing Group

Pat Walsh, Editor-in-Chief of MacAdam/Cage, publisher of fiction and narrative non-fiction

Deborah Grosvenor, and agent with the Kneerim and Williams Agency in Washington, DC

Carole DeSanti, Vice President, Editor at Large at Penguin Group USA, acquiring for Viking Penguin

Chuck Adams, in publishing for over 40 years, now editor at North Carolina based Algonquin Books.

Emma Sweeney, a literary agent with Harold Ober Associates

Lauren Marino, Vice President and Editorial Director of Gotham Books, a division of Penguin

Joy Harris began working in publishing in 1981 and founded the Joy Harris Agency in 1990

Tanya McKinnon is a literary agent at Victoria Sanders & Associates

Carrie Kania, Publisher of Harper Perennial, the trade paperback imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, overseeing 275 titles a year

Jeff Kleinman, a literary agent with the Folio Literary Agency

 

Words & Music: Day Two!

It was another fantastic day for faculty, readers and writers alike at the Words & Music: A Literary Feast in New Orleans! From great panels to great food, this event had it all. Check out our photo gallery (click on any photo to see it full size). Enjoy…

Bibi Gaston, author of The Loveliest Woman in America (non-fic) teamed up with Pamela Binnings Ewen, author of Moon Over the Mango Tree (fiction) to conduct a panel on using family as a source for writing

Verna Gates, Lee Froelich and Robert McGarvey kick off Friday’s a.m. panels with a discussion about breaking into the freelance market

Nathan Rothstein, Shantrelle Lewis and Nolan Marshall discuss the American Dream and the realities today’s young professionals face in trying to realize that dream

Faulkner Society board member Jack Davis introduces panelist for the literature and lunch event at G.W. Finn

Jack Fuller, author of Abbeville and retired Tribune professional (as well as jazz musician) spoke to luncheon guests about the American Dream and losing our way

Faulkner Society sponsor Joyce Woods with Faulkner Society co-founder and Words & Music chairman Rosemary James

Speaker and this year’s Faulkner-Wisdom Novel winner James Nolan speaks on creating fiction from real-life inspiration

Gershwin and Gatsby for All! The evening event featured a performance of Gatsby era Gershwin tunes by accomplished concert pianist, Dr. E. Quinn Peeper

Faulkner-Wisdom Essay winner and F. Scott Fitgerald Society VP Kirk Curnutt introduces guest speaker Scott Donaldson

Scott Donaldson, author of Fool for Love, the definitive biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald, regailed guests with tales of Fitzgerald and his telling of the Great Gatsby

Faulkner finalist Jennifer Veser, Random House senior executive editor Will Murphy and Words & Music Programming co-chair Shari Stauch enjoy after-hours fun at Napoleon House

The Tom Sancton ensemble entertained guests at the famed Napoleon House. Sancton was Paris Bureau Chief for Time magazine, with over 60 cover stories to his credit