2014 Savannah Book Festival A Hit

The Savannah Book Festival seems to get better each year.  The selection of authors who come to share their experiences includes so many great choices that there simply isn’t enough time to hear them all.  This year, I was only able to attend the free Saturday lectures.  There was a method to my madness in making the selection to hear: Robin Cook, Brad Taylor, Hugh Howey, Patricia Schultz, and C. J. Box (L to R).  Genre and method of publishing were key.  As a result, I was exposed to medical thrillers, counterterrorism, dystopian society, travel bucket list places, and a modern western hero.

Sometimes, as in many Savannah festivals and events, the attendees also offer a lot.  For example, while waiting for Howey to give his talk, I met the lady sitting behind me, who is an author of over a dozen books published in Australia.  In fact, many of the attendees had been published in just about every genre imaginable.  This made the Q & A portion of the session quite interesting.
So, what did I learn from these five presenters?

• Writers comes in all shapes, sizes, and fashion sense!
• There is no one path to writing and getting published.
• Cook recounted that, if not for his circuitous path to a submarine in the Viet Nam years, he wouldn’t have had the dedicated time to attempt a book. 
• Taylor, a special forces veteran, was a natural for counterterrorism thrillers.  His method is immersion in the terrain of his novels.
• Howey began his adventure by writiing for fun for his wife and family.  He created a blog and posted a novella.  The “what happened next” response from readers encouraged him to self publish.  His books subsequently were signed and a Ridley Scott movie is in the making.
• Schultz simply loved to travel and made the transition from working in a stable of authors for travel guides to creating her own series.  It is possible to make a living from your passion.
• Box took 20 years to publish his first book, had his first agent die on him, but now has a book series under consideration from Robert Redford as a platform for a TV series.
• Write what you know and what you like to read. 
• You have to DO something before you can SAY something.  Nevertheless, experience alone doesn’t guarantee success.  Research is vital.
• Stop studying English and have an adventure.
• Your first novel may be a total bust, but even that can be an opportunity to learn.
• Write every day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes.  Otherwise, your thought process can be completely derailed.
• There is no perfect approach.  Some outline the entire book and others drift along, led by the protagonist.
• Most publishers are not interested in a one-trick pony.  Successful authors sign multi-book deals.
• If you don’t have an agent or plan to self-publish, select a good editing group of three people who can help you test the material as well as catch inconsistencies and errors.
• The timetable described for traditional publishing is incredible:  2-3 years to get an agent; 1 year to get a publishing deal; 1 year from deal to shelf.  This results in a 3 to 6 month shelf life in the store.
• Having a correlating blog for your work in progress can be a terrific value add.  (Howey wrote a blog in the form of journal entries from his main character.)
• Put the reader immediately into the scene from page 1.

Overall, the Festival was worth every minute of my time.  The speakers were not only informative, but personable and funny.  The folks in attendance were friendly and hospitable. The venues were great.  I’m already wishing for next year’s event!

Savannah Book Festival–Plan Now to Go

One of my favorite FREE festivals in Savannah is the annual Savannah Book Festival.  This showcase of both fiction and non-fiction authors is a great opportunity to get to know the writer behind the books that entertain, educate, or inspire you.  The list of 2014 festival authors has been published.  Each year I’m introduced to authors I haven’t read.  The Saturday presentations are free; the hard part is deciding who you want to hear.  There’s a lunch break, but you either need to plan to bring a lunch or go to one of the nearby cafes --- I always head to Roly Poly’s at 114 Barnard Street.

A few additional presentations, such as the opening and closing keynotes, require a ticket, but the cost of $15 is a bargain! 

Save the date for the 2014 Festival, taking place President’s Day weekend, February 13-16, in and around Telfair and Wright Squares.  This venue is a block from a parking garage, so it’s very convenient.

Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival 2013

Have a hankering for gator or shark bites?  Fried shrimp?  Hush puppies?  Carnival rides? Crafts?  Entertainment?  Well, look no further!  This weekend has been a feast for the eyes and the stomach as Richmond Hill hosted its annual Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival in Gregory Park.  There was truly something for everyone.  Each year the festival seems to draw more and more folks.  Different bands performed each night, with Collective Soul filling the Saturday night slot.  I went on Friday night and enjoyed Georgia Fire, a southern rock band.



A $20 bracelet entitled the wearer to unlimited rides that were equally designed for younger and older children.  The typical carnie type games were also available.



The weather was perfect.


And, when it was time to eat, the variety of options made it difficult to make a decision.  Ample seating was available under the pole barn.


Georgia Fire put on a fun show, with the crowd doing a little sing-a-long and dancing.

Be sure to put this event on your annual calendar.

Oktoberfest on Savannah River

The Rhinelanders

Chicken dance anyone?  Where else can you watch weiner dog races, children dressed up like weiners race, and dance like an idiot?  Well, on Savannah’s River Street, of course.  Today’s Oktoberfest activities were enjoyed under a glorious blue sky.  More is planned for tomorrow!  Be there!