Fun Twist on Mississippi Literary Agents:

Sartoris Literary Group is a traditional publisher that takes a non-traditional approach to publishing. We do that by providing authors with options that they do not have with the majors (very high royalty rates, for example) and we do it by embracing eBooks as the future of publishing without turning our backs on print publishing. All our books are available in both eBook and paperbac

k formats. We love bookstores as much as the next person. There is no better place to spend an afternoon. But we envision the future of bookstores as places where readers can download the books of their choice for their iPads, Kindles and Nooks while also purchasing more traditional print editions

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In my search for Mississippi talent, I found this fun page on a literary agency site.  

I downloaded the following:https://www.sartorisliterary.com/index.php/mississippi-reading-room.html

MISSISSIPPI ROOM

"The past is never dead. It's not even past."

—William Faulkner

All the books in this section touch upon Mississippi history, or Mississippians making history. Not all of the books were published by Sartoris Literary Group, but all were written by or contributed to by SLG publisher James L. Dickerson, who has been writing about Mississippians making history since 1967, when he published his first magazine article. It was an interview with Mississippi-born recording artist Bobbie Gentry, whose recording of "Ode

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 to Billie Joe" made history on many levels that year when it became the Number One record in America. She was just the beginning …

If you head to this link https://sartorisliterary.com/

You’ll find all the info you need on what they do.  Check out their about section while you’re there. Check out their focus –there’s a lot of Mississippi running through their agency’s lineup which is why I decided to highlight it this week.

Investigate, enjoy—stay healthy my friends. 

(Material downloaded from website)

Mississippi: The Birthplace of America’s Music by S.J. Francis

You may notice when I speak that I’m not native to the Southern states, certainly not to the beautiful state of Mississippi. My penchant for speaking and writing correct English and a lack of a Southern drawl immediately give that away. But despite many drawbacks down here, I love living in the South. When I lived in the frigid cold and snowy winters up North, I often found myself singing the tune,
“Oh I wish I was in Dixie, Hurrah, Hurrah. I wish I was in Dixie Land.” Don’t ask how that came to be, it just did. Music is sometimes mysterious that way popping up into our lives without a rhyme or reason. I write by music and exercise to it.

When you think of Mississippi, what thoughts come to mind? Cotton? Deep South? Magnolia? Crepe Myrtles? Laid back attitude? Slow moving? Good food? Civil War sites? Barbeques by the miles? How about music? Mississippi is known the world over as the birthplace of American Music. Whether it is Charley Patton and Son House's interpretations of the Delta Blues, Elvis Presley’s hip moving and shaking Rock 'n' Roll from Tupelo, or Jimmie Rodgers the Father of Country Music from Meridian, America’s musical tradition was born and refined in the culture, diversity and struggles of Mississippi. Music is the lifeblood of Mississippi. Everywhere one visits in the state are reminders and markers of the birth and love for music. What comes to mind when you think of music and Mississippi? Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll” once stated, “I happened to come along in the music business when there was no trend.” Gospel, country, jazz, bluegrass, and rock n’ roll have deep-running roots here. The sound is still alive and well. I know I hear it often.

My debut novel, Shattered Lies begins in Yazoo County, in the Delta region of Mississippi, and ends in New York City.  Blues had its birth in the Mississippi Delta.  The idea for this book came to me in 1999, but the story didn’t write itself until I moved down to Mississippi.  Two famous blues singers are associated with the County of Yazoo. Arnold Dwight "Gatemouth" Moore was an American blues and gospel singer, songwriter, radio disc jockey, community leader and pastor, later known as Reverend Gatemouth Moore. During his career as a recording artist, Moore worked with various jazz musicians, including Bennie Moten, Tommy Douglas and Walter Barnes, and his songs were recorded by B.B. King and Rufus Thomas. He was noted for his mellow singing voice, much in the style of Billy Eckstine.

Another American blues singer was Robert Leroy Johnson, a songwriter and musician. Johnson's vague documented life and death have given rise to much legend. The one most closely associated with his life is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads to achieve musical success. Before this so-called encounter with the devil, Johnson was at best a mediocre guitar player. Suddenly over night, he became a Blues wonder. He is now recognized as a master of the blues, particularly as a progenitor of the Delta blues style. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that influenced later generations of musicians. Music is entwined in Mississippi life as evidenced by the establishment of the Mississippi Blues Trail. The Mississippi Blues Trail was created by the Mississippi Blues Commission in 2006 to “place interpretive markers at the most notable historical sites related to the birth, growth, and influence of the blues throughout the state of Mississippi. Within the state the trail extends from the Gulf Coast north along several highways to Natchez, Vicksburg, Jackson, Leland, Greenwood, Clarksdale, Tunica, Grenada, Oxford, Columbus, and Meridian. The largest concentration of markers is in the Mississippi Delta, but other regions of the state are also commemorated.” (Wikipedia)

Synopsis: Thirty-year-old Kate Thayer has a good life as a veterinarian running the family horse farm in the South until she uncovers an act of unimaginable treachery by those she trusted most and discovers that everything she knew about herself was a lie. Her paternal grandmother, the woman who raised her, is behind a number of devastating secrets Kate is compelled to discover. But the deeper she digs, the more betrayal she finds, changing her life in ways she could have never foreseen.

Thanks for stopping by to read about my debut novel and my new home state of Mississippi. I have two prizes to give away to a lucky winner —a copy of Shattered Lies (Kindle version OR Paperback, winner’s choice) and a Mississippi souvenir.  Simply leave a comment and your contact info in order to contact you should you win. 

You can read more about the award winning Shattered Lies, a mainstream/contemporary/family saga at my website: http://sjfranciswriter.com    There you’ll be able to connect with me and learn more about the award winning Shattered Lies, me and my blogs.

For more info about Mississippi and America’s Music:

http://msbluestrail.org/

https://birthplaceofamericanmusic.blogspot.com/

http://www.msmusic.org/mississippi-birthplace-americas-music.pdf

https://www.mississippibelieveit.com/resource-item/birthplace-americas-music/

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I -- S.J. Francis Shares a Great State to Visit, Live and Spell!

Mississippi is called the Magnolia state and the number of Magnolia trees confirm that, and because of the hot and humid summers with heavy rain, it is a green and lush state.

                                                

If you heard me speak you’d notice the lack of southern drawl. You’d also notice that I walk just a bit faster. I didn’t grow up in the beautiful state of Mississippi. I grew up in New York City.  The two places are so far apart; not just in miles but in attitudes. It’s different down here. It’s a whole new way of life with a different pace: Slow and laid back. There is no fast food in Mississippi and not just literally. If you’re looking for fast and hurried; you need to go elsewhere, New York City for one, but there’s a peace and serenity that accompanies it, too. People are more at ease down south and it shows in their attitude. I may have been born a Yankee, but I’ve always been a rebel at heart.

                                                 

There are flatlands down here and there are hills. I have seen some awesome sunsets. The Blues were born here in the Delta. Farming and lumber are the predominant industries.  BBQ and sweet tea are popular food items down here. Crowds and smog are non-existent.

                                                  

My debut novel, Shattered Lies begins in Yazoo County, Mississippi, and later New York City.  As of the 2010 census, the population of Yazoo County was 28,065. It is named for the Yazoo River, whose name, legend has it, comes from an Indian word meaning "River of Death." It is located in the Mississippi Delta region. The idea for this book came to me in 1999, but the story didn’t write itself until I moved down to Mississippi. 

                                                   

Synopsis: Thirty year old Kate Thayer has a good life as a veterinarian running the family horse farm in the South until she uncovers an act of unimaginable treachery by those she trusted most and discovers that everything she knew about herself was a lie. Her paternal grandmother, the woman who raised her, is behind a number of devastating secrets Kate is compelled to discover. But the deeper she digs, the more betrayal she finds, changing her life in ways she could have never foreseen.

Thanks for stopping by to read about my debut novel and my new home state of Mississippi. I have two prizes to give away to a lucky winner —a copy of Shattered Lies (Kindle version OR Paperback, winner’s choice) and a Mississippi souvenir.  Simply leave a comment and your contact info in order to contact you should you win.

You can read more about the award winning Shattered Lies, a mainstream/contemporary/family saga at my website: http://sjfranciswriter.com    There you’ll be able to connect with me and learn more about the award winning Shattered Lies.
(info provided/released by author)

Authors in Mississippi Have the Benefit of a Great Writers Group

In my search for a Mississippi representative, I came across this beneficial group.

Mississippi Writers Guild ,  Incorporated November 2005, has steadily worked towards building its membership and community involvement in the arts and education within Mississippi.

One of MWG's goals is forming chapters throughout Mississippi with a chapter head spearheading each group according to the needs of the writers in that area.  

Annual membership dues allow MWG Members to link from the MWG website to their personal website,  give membership discounts on all MWG events as well provided scholarships to students pursuing a career in a literary field.

MWG sponsors writer workshops, conferences and writer retreats.

MWG partners with public and private schools to assist in literacy skills and to provide literary outlets, events, and activities for all students. Mississippi Writer Guild also provides outlets in the community with events and activities for adult outreach literacy programs.

They act as a voice for literary artists and striving to integrate literary arts into community/state art programs and events.

http://www.mississippiwritersguild.com/about.html is the place to go to learn more. 

Be sure to check out the information on their upcoming Writers Conference  August 25^th and 26^th in Jackson, Mississippi.  The list of guest speakers is impressive and, from my experience with writers guilds, the benefits of attending an organized conference by writers are well worth the small conference fee.  

(all material downloaded from http://www.mississippiwritersguild.com)

The Blues: A Mississippi Tradition

The Blues began in Mississippi well over a hundred years ago, while cotton was still king and life was hard. Back in the day, the different groups developing this treasured musical tradition were isolated from one another, so they developed different styles. I never knew that the Blues differs depending upon where one might be in Mississippi until I consulted with my oldest son for this blog. He's a true Blues lover who has made it his mission to hear as many of the old guard as he can before they're all gone. Many of the old timers have already passed on, thanks to the ravages of time, but a few brave souls have stepped in to fill the void and keep the art form alive. He loves hearing them play, too.

He told me that in the Delta,  you'll hear more of the traditional Blues (the Delta Blues), thanks to the legacy of Pinetop Perkins and L. C. Ulmer, who passed away earlier this year. Clarksdale's Juke Joint Festival, held every April, is the perfect place to hear this brand of the Blues. Terry "Harmonica" Bean is still alive and well and puts on a terrific one-man show to captivate his audience.

The Bentonia Blues Festival features music similar to the Delta Blues except that folks play it in different keys. Jimmy "Duck" Holmes began this tradition at the Blues Front Café many years ago. He's since passed on, but Kenny Brown and Bill Able are still alive and well and playing their hearts out. The B.B. King Museum in Indianola features the Delta Blues with a bit of Chicago Swing thrown in for good measure.

The Hill Country Picnic, held every year in the sultry mid-summer heat on a farm outside Holly Springs, features the Hill Country Blues, tunes with a steady beat sometimes partnered with a single chord. Rhythm drives this music made famous by T-Model Ford, R. L. Burnside, and Junior Kimbrough. My son loves it.

Folks in the Pines play another type of Blues, while those in the River/Capitol City area play another, and the people on the Gulf Coast have added their own special twist. All of this music is similar yet different. What now links all of these areas together and makes Mississippi a favorite destination of Blues enthusiasts from all over the world?

The Mississippi Blues Trail  http://www.msbluestrail.org/index.aspx

Hundreds of Blues markers stretch from the Mississippi Gulf Coast all the way up into Arkansas to denote the history of this wonderful Deep South tradition and assure it will never be forgotten. New markers are added every year, and Blues enthusiasts consider them to be a Holy Grail of sorts; places to visit at least once in their lives. Some folks set a goal of seeing every single one of them, and that can take years. The one closest to me is in Hazelhurst, the home of Blues pioneer Robert Johnson. I didn't even attempt to count all of the marker locations listed on the website.

Mississippi has a lot to offer, from a rich literary tradition that includes Eudora Welty and Willaim Faulkner, to more basic fair like great hunting and fishing, to the soul-wrenching cry of the Blues. I invite you to visit. You might just want to stay.

My books don't involve the Blues, but many of them do take place in Mississippi. My most recent release, Bayou Bounty Hunters Book Three: Unlocking Her Secrets, takes place on the Gulf Coast.

In this story, Laura Leigh Bennett, a former debutante used to the finer things in life, is accused of a crime she swears she didn't commit. In an effort to clear her name, she jumps bail and goes on the run like a common criminal. Her goal is to stay clear of the law and find the person she believes shot Gerald Wayne, but a wise-ass bounty hunter soon catches her and sends her life spiraling even further out of control.

Gideon Blake has been bored ever since he left the military. He has family money, so he doesn't have to work, but he relies on the contract jobs Bayou Bounty Hunters, Inc. throws his way to keep him out of trouble. So when Ryder calls needing a man to hunt down a woman who's jumped bail, Gideon agrees. He catches the former debutante, but before he can haul her back to jail, the two are trapped together by a terrible storm. 

 

The electricity arcing between Laura Leigh and Gideon is as powerful as the lightning popping outside. Laura Leigh feels that visceral pull and uses it in an attempt to convince Gideon to help prove her innocence before he takes her back to jail. Gideon must decide if he'll stick by his guns, or sacrifice his integrity for a woman he's just met.

You can find this book at Amazon http://bit.ly/unlockinghersecretsamzn, Desert Breeze Publishing http://bit.ly/unlockinghersecrets  and at many other online outlets. Hope you'll check it out!

For my books:  http://bit.ly/unlockinghersecretsamzn and http://bit.ly/unlockinghersecrets

My website:  http://www.melanieatkins.com
Melanie Atkins offers up a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card to One Lucky Person who stops by and leaves a comment here!  Leave a comment and your contact info to be entered to win! 

(Pictures provided by author.  Picture of Archie Storey provided by Kristie Storey)

Melanie Atkins and Mississippi

My home state is Mississippi. Right now, I'm on my back porch listening to countless songbirds, a few croaking tree frogs, and a gaggle of honking geese flying over to another pond in search of food. My home is in a growing suburb of Jackson, our capital city, in an area that's not quite rural nor heavily suburban, a place where I feel safe and happy. A place that has changed immensely and yet not enough over the past hundred years or so.

Mississippi has a rich history and an even richer literary heritage, including the likes of William Faulker, Eudora Welty, and Barry Hannah, to name just a few of of the famous authors who once called my state home. This past Christmas, a friend and I ventured into the capital city to participate in a free Candlelight Tour of half a dozen historic homes and such near downtown. The tour began at the governor's mansion and included the Manship House, the Department of Archives and History, and the Eudora Welty House Education and Visitors Center, to name a few.  What a wonderful glimpse into the past. Each place was decorated for the holidays, and a few even boasted refreshments.

I enjoyed our stop at the Eudora Welty House Education and Visitors Center the most. Ms. Welty (1901-2001) grew up in Jackson in the house next door to the visitors center and attended the same schools as my father, albeit a few years earlier. He often told me stories about seeing her around town. Her home has since been added to the National Register of Historic Places. You can see pictures of it and read more about it here: http://eudorawelty.org/the-house/.

Eudora Welty graduated from what is now Mississippi University for Women in 1927 and completed her graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin and Columbia University in New York. She graduated from Columbia at the height of the Depression, when jobs were scarce, and had trouble finding work in New York City, so she returned home to Mississippi. She soon landed a job with the WPA, criss-crossing the state and meeting many interesting characters, some of whom later became the focus of her novels and short stories.

She published her first short story in 1936, and many more followed. Her short story collection A Curtain of Green, released in 1941, brought her a plethora of accolades and helped to grow her readership. She published her first full length novel, Delta Wedding, in 1946. One of her later novels, The Optimist's Daughter, published in 1972, earned her the Pulitzer Prize. Not one for praises, Ms. Welty tucked the Pulitzer away with all of her other honors, and none saw the light of day again until after her death, when workers found them in the top of her closet.

So many stories, and photographs, too. Ms. Welty was also an accomplished photograper, and many of her photos of life in Mississippi in the mid-20^th century were included in the book Eudora Welty as Photographer, released in 2009. You may view some of her photographs here: http://eudorawelty.org/life-works/photography-art/. She was truly an artist.

I'm proud to hail from the same state as Ms. Welty. My work is much more commercial than hers and takes place in a different era, but I still look up to her. She helped to put Mississippi on the literary map and proved that women could be successful in a field crowded with men at a time when many were not. My stories, like hers, take place in the Deep South. Many of them are based in Mississippi, including Sealing His Fate, the second book in my Bayou Bounty Hunter series.

Blurb:

Miranda Gibson will do anything to find her children after her abusive ex-husband kidnaps them whisks them off to parts unknown. The cops won't help, because Harper comes off as a nice guy. A family man. He impressed the youth court judge with his fast talk, and the man gave him joint custody. So Miranda is forced to beg a private investigator to go after her kids.

Riley Magee started Bayou Bounty Hunters, Inc. because he likes helping people, but he isn't a law breaker. So when a distraught mother asks him to find her kidnapped kids but tells him her ex-husband has joint custody, he refuses to help. Then he learns Harper has abused her in the past and changes his mind… only to balk again when Miranda insists on going with him.

Time is running out. Miranda fears Harper may take the kids out of the country, so when Riley refuses to help, she decides to go after them alone. A phone call from Miranda's terrified son causes Riley to change his mind, as long as she promises to stay out of his way and let him do his job. To bring the children home safely, the two of them must forge a workable peace… a difficult, if not impossible, task.

Please leave a comment here for your chance at at $10.00 Amazon Gift Card!  

You can read more about Sealing His Fate here: http://amzn.to/1aJSy5E and check out my website here: http://www.melanieatkins.com and my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.atkins. 
(all info provided by author.)