Congratulations 2010 Georgia Writers Hall of Fame Inductees

Congratulations to Judith Ortiz Cofer and Philip Lee Williams, who were both inducted this week into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens. This honor could not have been bestowed upon two more deserving authors (or terrific people).

Because their collective work is simply too much to even summarize in such a short space, I invite readers to look up their titles on-line, at their local bookstore, or library. And not just Georgia readers, either.

Judith Ortiz Cofer is about as colorful a person as you might want to read, providing a perfect Puerto Rican/New York City/Southern/Latina/literary/motherly perspective on life. She is a delight to hear in person.

Phil Williams personafies the right Southern male. He is Atticus Finch in the flesh--proving (like Pat Conroy, Terry Kay and Jim Kilgo) that a good book, poem, or musical score is as much a manly art as fighting, sport, and the outdoors. In fact, they compliment each other. I will always remember the way this Georgia author presented a reading to a crowd of folks who were obviously in need of a litttle comfort. They had come out to hear him read from an historical comedy he'd written. And he managed to make them laugh, on September 13, 2001.

Congratulations also to Phil Williams, who will retire (semi-) this week from the University of Georgia, after a long and destiguished career with that institution.

Congratulations to both Phil and Judith on their having been recognized by the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.

There's so much coming this year, bookwise, here in Georgia.

Phil Williams' new book, The Flower Seeker, arrives in the fall. The Georgia Literary Festival will be in Statesboro (GO EAGLES!!!!) this year, thank you very much, Georgia Center for the Book.

New books are coming from Susan Rebecca White, Joshilyn Jackson, Joe Dabney, ....and so many more.

Collegiate athletics legend Vince Dooley has a new gardening book coming this spring. Dooley is a certified Master Gardener, and has had a lifelong love affair with his garden. I'll bet not even Bear Bryant cultivated his own unique hydrenga.

There is a new Book Festival coming to Suwanee, Georgia which is promising to be quite an affair.

The Decatur Book Festival will be back again this year, the largest independent book festival in the entire USA.

Some good news.

RMR