One Stop for Author Signings & Other Literary Events in Georgia

Dear Readers & Fellow Georgia Bibliophiles,

I have been in the book business for over a decade now. Most of that time I spent organizing—or helping to organize--author signings and other literary events, mostly in Georgia. It is amazing—especially to book folk—just how much is going on at any given time in Georgia with regards to books, authors and the larger world of publishing. Author signings, writer’s workshops, poetry readings, book festivals, conferences, seminars, discussion groups—something to appeal to nearly every taste, interest, genre, subject matter or age group.

The literary venues in Georgia are as varied as the authors and titles that they feature. Authors appear everywhere, from the superstore chain booksellers to small independent bookstores to warehouse discount stores like Costco and Walmart. Colleges, universities, religious organizations, public libraries, schools, and an assortment of both public and private institutions and organizations throughout Georgia are all hosting literary events. Of course, there are the premiere literary venues such as the Georgia Center for the Book and the Margaret Mitchell House and Center for Literature, both of which host an extraordinary line-up of authors and other literary activities throughout the year. Finally, from Dahlonega to Decatur to Savannah, annual literary and book festivals are plentiful in Georgia, and well attended by both authors and the reading public.

Georgia is also home to a diverse and prolific writing community, and some great small presses, not to mention a truly extraordinary literary heritage. I will be tooting their respective horns for them on my website at every opportunity.

For years, I have lamented to colleagues in the book business the lack of a single, comprehensive source of news about author events in Georgia. There are many—MANY—websites that give information about signings and other events, but to my knowledge, no one site that scans the news, web, etc. for who, what, when and where and then puts it in one spot. And I have looked for one, for years.

So, as a labor of love (for now), I plan to launch such a site in early April. I confess that I am doing it largely because 1) I personally like knowing what literary happenings are going on in Georgia, and especially what authors are appearing and where, 2) I have wanted a site like this myself for many years, and 3) I have already been accumulating this information on a regular basis for nearly ten years, so why not put it in one place for others to have quick access to. Oh, yes, and 4) as I stated, it will be a labor of love. I think that it will be great fun—though much work—and will keep me in touch.

I also hope to jazz up the site with author interviews and book reviews. So look for it coming soon.

Real Men Read.