The Alabama Writers’ Forum
The Alabama Writers’ Forum, a partnership program of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, works to cultivate our state’s literary culture. We do that through supporting writers at all stages. We encourage our young writers to find their creative voice through the Father Goose Poetry Festival for Kids!–and through our Alabama High School Literary Arts Awards. We support the work of our state’s literary community through our Alabama Authors Directory, First Draft magazine, and other programming and opportunities for writers across the state. And we celebrate our state’s rich literary legacy through the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. We are, above all, a community of writers united by our desire to advance the literary arts in Alabama. If that describes you — join us! There are many ways to get involved.
The Education of Asa Paxton
The Education of Asa Paxton By Gary S. Minder RubyeGay Publishing, 2025 Paperback: $14.95 Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult Fiction Reviewed by Carrie Dalby “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is good advice to remember when it comes to The Education of Asa Paxton. What looks like a sweet coming-of-age historical novel is laced with enough Southern Gothic atmosphere to make William Faulkner proud. While the story starts off in 1932 Chicago with a twelve-year-old Asa Paxton and his family, we are soon headed to the Deep South as Asa’s father agrees to take a railroad job in Blue Rock, Alabama. A section detailing Uncle Clem’s backstory compromises chapters three through six and takes us back to 1922 Mississippi. This extended flashback tells a multi-generational story that’s more reminiscent of a family saga than a straight coming-of-age tale. Those who enjoy multi-generational novels will appreciate the insight. A warning note found in the Acknowledgments states that the story includes “tobacco and alcohol use and language” as well as “Racism, rape, and incest,” but other potentially problematic [...]
