" Best of the Best at Blue Ridge Bookfest "

This was the very first Blue Ridge Bookfest & Author Showcase.
You would never have known it however, as it was totally organized!
The wonderful author Robert Morgan proclaimed it to be, not only
a historical event but a lifelong dream for him. He signed my copy
of his book " Gap Creek " an Oprah Book Club selection, with this
inscription:

" Carol, thank you for coming to be a part of history"















The fest started with a few words from him and then he
introduced bestselling author Sharyn McCrumb......

Who was waiting in the wings.....................

I have been reading Sharyn's books for twenty years, she

is totally responsible for my love of Appalachia and my love

for Appalachian authors..................

Sharyn poses as she signs her books......................

For a devout reader of Sharyn McCrumb, this is wonderful!

This made " Hotlanta " worth it!!!

Sharyn & I discussed her choice of cars.......

" it was the only one that would keep up with the NASCAR Drivers "

she said; Her car tag reads; " ST. DALE "

She wrote a wonderful retelling of The Canterbury Tales in which

fans of Dale Earnhardt go on a pilgrimage titled: " St. Dale"

Kathryn Magendie, author of the wonderful new book

" Tender Graces" and I then attended the presentation

by Vicki Lane, author of The Elizabeth Goodweather

Mystery Series and someone whom I'm fortunate to call

friend.

Here Vicki reads from her book..................

Vicki gave a great presentation and the large crowd was mesmerized!

I wish I lived close enough to attend Vicki's writing class...

Vicki signs her wonderful books for me.........

" Smile Vicki Lane, you're on Carol's Camera"

Then we have showing out for my camera............

North Carolina's favorite Storyteller GARY CARDEN !!

Talking with some of his many fans.................

Kathryn and I next attended Gary's wonderful presentation..

As did author Sheila Kay Adams, who talks with her dear friend

Gary afterwards.................

Author Sheila Kay Adams...... what a brilliant talent she is!

Her presentation was awesome..............

See Vicki Lane to the far right smiling.........at Sheila's storytelling?

The girl tells stories...................

She sings like a songbird and plays...

The Banjo and Guitar........

Not to mention the wonderful books she's written!!

This crowd had a good time !!!!

Vicki and Sheila Kay are good friends and neighbors!

These NC authors are truly a family who love and respect

each other and it was a joy to witness this...

Vicki and Sheila Kay meet up..............

North Carolina Poet Laureate, Kathryn Stripling Byer,

also thrilled to see Sheila Kay............

The last session Kathryn Magendie and I attended was by

Jeff Biggers, whose book " The United States of Appalachia"

is getting rave reviews on Amazon! I don't have the words to

describe how awesome this guy was!! I thought I knew Appalachia

History! Wrong! I heard things from him that blew me away! I would

have loved to have seen Bill O'Rielly sit through this presentation!!!

I bought the book and plan to read it soon!


Here is Jeff Biggers with Kathryn Stripling Byer whom he was

bowing to in honor of meeting her, just before I snapped this pic!

After the fest was over, Kathryn Magendie and I

met Vicki Lane and Gary Carden at the beautiful B&B

they were staying at in Hendersonville and the four of us

walked downtown and enjoyed a wonderful meal and great

conversation about ghost tales, history and books!

I have only one disappointment in my trip to North Carolina.

My "oldtimer's " was in full swing causing me not to do the very

thing I drove 547 miles to do..................

I did not get my picture made with Vicki, Gary, Kathryn or Sherry

Austin even though I was around them a lot and always had my camera!

My heart was broken when I realized this......................