A Hunk-a-hunk-a Book Launch Party with Carolyn Haines
2024-10-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
We can’t help falling in love with every book Carolyn Haines releases. So, let’s celebrate her next mysterious installment of the Sarah Booth Delaney series. We cordially invite you to “A Hunk-a-hunk-a Book Launch Party with Carolyn Haines” on October 26 at The Haunted Book Shop from 7-9pm.
Celebrate the talent and signature wit of author Carolyn Haines, known for her creative narratives and engaging storytelling. The night promises surprises and tributes to the King of Rock-n-Roll, Elvis. We encourage all attendees to don their favorite Elvis-era attire, enjoy Elvis-inspired treats, and even belt out your favorite Elvis tune! We’re sure to be kicking up our blue suede shoes in honor of Carolyn, the Queen of Mystery novels, and the King–Elvis!.
This promises to be unlike any book event you’ve attended before. We only hope that Carolyn and her devoted readers don’t have so much fun that they end up in the jailhouse. You’re sure to end up in Heartbreak Hotel if you miss this event.

Sunday, October 27 at 3pm at The NewSouth Bookstore! Corey Brettschneider presents on The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It
2024-10-27 15:00 - 16:30 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Timely as his book is timely, The NewSouth Bookstore is thrilled to host historian Corey Brettschneider for discussion and signing with his new book, The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It. Critics call the book “an inspired history dramatically rendered,” “informative and stimulating,” and “an essential survey.” The Presidents and the People details how presidents in different eras abused their power, offering insights that seem less like history than prognostication. Will be an exciting program. Join us at The NewSouth Bookstore on Sunday, October 27 at 3pm.

Alabama State Poetry Society Online Open Mic
2024-10-28 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-11-25 18:30 - 19:30, 2024-12-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Join us for online poetry open mics the 4th Monday of each month!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85693609367
Meeting ID: 856 9360 9367

Calhoun Community College Fall Writers Series to Feature "Old Enough" with Katie Lamar Jackson, Jay Lamar, and Wendy Reed
2024-10-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Alabama Center for the Arts, 133 2nd Ave., Decatur, AL, 35601, United States
The Calhoun Community College Fall 2024 Writers Series will host three writers from “Old Enough,” a book featuring 21 women from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives exploring their creative drive and the important role it continues to occupy as they age and change.
6:00 p.m. on October 30, 2024 at the Alabama Center for the Arts Recital Hall, 133 2nd Ave., Decatur, AL.

Sunday, November 3 at 3pm at The NewSouth Bookstore: A Eugene Walter Tribute with Carolyn Haines, Don Noble, and others
2024-11-03 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
Join us for a celebratory event that recognizes the unique life and work of Alabama’s own Eugene Walter on the 104th anniversary of his birth. Walter, a writer, editor, illustrator, translator, actor, puppeteer, chef and raconteur, better known as Mobile’s Renaissance Man, is fondly remembered. Friends he knew and loved will join us at The NewSouth Bookstore for this special program conceived by the bookstore in partnership with the Walter estate. Our special guests include Carolyn Haines, Don Noble, Bert Hitchcock, and Bill Eiland, along with Mary Beth Lakin, coexecutor of Walter’s estate. Enjoy snacks prepared from The Happy Table of Eugene Walter. Books, poster art, note cards, all from the Walter estate, will be available for purchase. See you at The NewSouth Bookstore on Sunday, November 3 at 3pm.

A Killer Event with Emma C Wells
2024-11-12 18:00 - 19:30 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Join us for “A Killer Event with Emma C Wells” at The Haunted Book Shop on November 12, 6-7:30pm, in celebration of Wells’ debut, This Girl’s a Killer. Tagged as SheReads 2024 Most Anticipated Fall Mystery Thrillers and Goodreads Fall 2024 Readers Most Anticipated Mystery Thrillers, this tale of trickery is not to be missed and neither is this event. Along with your chance to meet Wells and purchase a signed copy of this surefire hit, Wells will hold an audience Q&A. Here’s your chance to pick the brain of a thriller writer!
In “This Girl’s a Killer,” Wells skillfully juxtaposes light-hearted humor with suspenseful intrigue, introducing us to Cordelia Black – an astute businesswoman, a loyal friend, and an unexpected, yet deft wielder of justice against villainous men in South Louisiana. Cordelia effortlessly transforms from an ambitious pharma rep by day to a deliverer of karmic justice by night; a fierce icon for women’s autonomy, rights, and occasional wrongs. Cordelia insists she isn’t a killer, merely an agent of karma—despite what the evening news might suggest.
Wells’ novel offers a fresh spin on the thriller genre, integrating razor-sharp wit and deep camaraderie in a blood-splattered tribute to chosen families. The story is dark, daring, and profoundly human, bolstered by a self-assured protagonist who confronts trauma with remarkable courage and unwavering spirit.
Expect an engaging conversation about the novel’s themes, stark insights into the mind of Emma C Wells, and lively discussions about how she created such an enchanting, yet chilling, narrative.
Join us and immerse yourself in the provocative world of Emma C Wells and her unforgettable heroine, Cordelia Black. Reserve your seat and copy today!

Celebrate Julian McPhillips Birthday with Us at The NewSouth Bookstore!
2024-11-13 11:30 - 13:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
We’re gathering at The NewSouth Bookstore to help celebrate Julian McPhillips’s 78th birthday. Please stop by to say hello, enjoy a slice of birthday cake, and to pick up a copy of Julian’s newest memoir, Standing Up to Bullies. Join us at The NewSouth Bookstore on Wednesday, November 13, from 11:30am until 1pm. Friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, fans — all are welcome!

Fiction Writer Yuri Herrera to Read at University of South Alabama Visiting Writer Series, November 13, 5:30 p.m.
2024-11-13 17:30 - 19:00 | University of South Alabama, Student Center Terrace Room
Yuri Herrera – Stokes Center for Creative Writing 2024-2025 Visiting Writers Series
Wednesday | November 13, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: Student Center Terrace Room
Yuri Herrera (Actopan, México, 1970). Has written three novels, all of them translated into several languages: Kingdom Cons, Signs Preceding the End of the World, and Transmigration of Bodies; which have been published in English by And Other Stories. In 2016 he shared with translator Lisa Dillman the Best translated Book Award for the translation of Signs Preceding the End of the World. That same year he received the Anna Seghers Prize at the Academy of Arts of Berlin, for the body of his work. His latest books are A Silent Fury: The El Bordo Mine Fire, Ten Planets, and La estación del pantano (Season of the Swamp). He is a professor of creative writing and literature at Tulane University, in New Orleans.
https://www.facebook.com/events/8545719675540770/?ref=newsfeed

Kathleen DuVal at The NewSouth Bookstore November 14 at 5:30pm!
2024-11-14 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
We are very fortunate to have as our upcoming guest author Kathleen DuVal, whose Native Nations: A Millennium in North America has been winning brilliant notices. It’s been called “an essential American history that places the power of Native nations at its center,” “a magisterial account,” and
“a feat of both scholarship and storytelling.” This indispensable guide to the epic history of Native North America will be the topic of DuVal’s talk
when she joins us at The NewSouth Bookstore on Thursday, November 14 at 5:30pm. Don’t miss this special event.

Tina Mozelle Braziel and James Braziel to Read at Calhoun Community College for the Fall 2024 Writers Series, Nov. 14, 2024
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Alabama Center for the Arts, 133 2nd Ave., Decatur, AL, 35601, United States
Husband-and-wife writing team, Tina Mozelle Braziel and James Braziel will read from their latest book, Glass Cabin, at Calhoun Community College’s Alabama Center for the Arts Recital Hall, 133 2nd Ave., Decatur, Alabama, on November 14, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
This reading is part of the Fall 2024 Writers Series

CANCELED – – – Writers’ Series Event: “Glass Cabin”

Ghost Stories at the Drish: A Dinner Reading
2024-11-19 19:00 - 21:00 | The Historic Drish House, 2300 17th St, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, United States
Join us for a spine-tingling evening of dramatic readings from the beloved book 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey by Kathryn Tucker Windham and Margaret Gillis Figh. Held in the historic Drish House, one of Alabama’s most haunted buildings, you’ll hear chilling tales such as “Death Lights in the Tower,” brought to life by Tuscaloosa’s talented actors. Enjoy delicious food, with a cash bar available. We are pleased to partner with UA Press on this event.

Ghost Stories at the Drish: A Dinner Reading
2024-11-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-11-21 19:00 - 21:00 | historic drish house, 200 17th St, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, United States
Join us for a spine-tingling evening of dramatic readings from the beloved book 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey by Kathryn Tucker Windham. Held in the historic Drish House, one of Alabama’s most haunted buildings, you’ll hear chilling tales such as “Death Lights in the Tower,” brought to life by Tuscaloosa’s talented actors. Enjoy delicious food, with a cash bar available. We are pleased to partner with UA Press on this event.

Thursday, November 21 at 5:30pm at The NewSouth Bookstore: Lesa Carnes Shaul with Midnight Cry: A Shooting on Sand Mountain
2024-11-21 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
A new book by Lesa Carnes Shaul is a historical page-turner and terrifying work of true crime that gives insight into the lives of rural Alabamians in a rapidly modernizing world. The work is titled Midnight Cry. Shaul joins us at The NewSouth Bookstore on Thursday, November 21 at 5:30pm for a talk about the work and the historical incident that inspired it, the brutal killing in 1951 of a bootlegger in north Alabama, which also took the lives of several police officers. Afterward, a sixteen-year-old boy would face a series of trials that would divide a county and thrust the state of Alabama into the national spotlight. This book is beautifully written and brings into powerful high relief the place and time in which Midnight Cry is set.

Third Thursday Poetry Series to Feature Poet Rajiv Mohabir on Nov. 21, in Auburn
2024-11-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, 101 S. Debardeleben St., Auburn, AL, 36849-5637, United States
The November 21 Third Thursday Poetry Reading will be held at Pebble Hill on Debardeleben Street in Auburn. Featured reader will be Rajiv Mohabir, a former Auburn faculty member now teaching at the University of Colorado. Mohabir is a widely published poet, translator, and memoirist.
Refreshments and book sales will be available at 6. The program will commence at 6:30 with a brief open mic segment, followed by Mohabir’s reading.
The Third Thursday series is supported by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, the AU Department of English, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Third Thursday events are free and open to the public.

Fall 2024 Author Expo: Much Ado About Publishing
2024-11-23 09:30 - 12:30 | Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library, 245 High St., Montgomery, AL, 36104, United States
Montgomery City County Public Library Presents the Fall 2024 Author Expo: Much Ado About Publishing? Featuring a panel of authors including Vernet Nettles, Jason Nelson, Chelsea Rodriguez, Jackie Nix, and Lynessa Layne as well as a panel of four publishers: Jumpmaster Press, Suzanne La Rosa from New South, Shatara Clark from TyWrites, and Bob McGough.

Saturday, November 23 at 3pm at The NewSouth Bookstore: Amanda Jones joins us for a talk about That Librarian
2024-11-23 15:00 - 16:30 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
One of the things small town librarian Amanda Jones values about books is how they can affirm a young person’s sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Thus started the inspiring story of this Louisiana librarian’s advocacy against book banning in her town and elsewhere. Schools and public libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGBTQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from shelves. Mapping the book banning crisis, That Librarian calls on book lovers everywhere to rise in defense of our readers. Join us for a talk by Amanda Jones moderated by Andrew Foster, former director of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library, on Saturday, November 23 at 3pm.

Small Business Saturday with Author Elizabeth Hobbs (Elizabeth Essex)
2024-11-30 14:00 - 16:00 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
We’re celebrating Small Business Saturday with the fabulous Elizabeth Hobbs (Elizabeth Essex). You may know her as a romance author, but do you know she writes mysteries, too? Her debut mystery novel Misery Hates Company is on Goodreads “Most Anticipated Mysteries of Fall 2024” list, and we are here for it! This witty historical mystery combines gothic vibes with comedic hijinks for a wild ride and great read. Elizabeth will be signing books and chatting with fans at The Haunted Book Shop on November 30, 2024, 2-4PM.
To enter the signing line, we ask that you purchase a copy of Misery Hates Company from The Haunted Book Shop. In fact, why not buy two? Author-signed books make great holiday gifts!
Speaking of gifts, we are also rolling out our Holiday Haul Book Bags on November 30th. These book and merch bundles come gift-wrapped and are genre specific. Have a romance reader on your shopping list? We’ve got you covered. Know a thriller reader who’s been good? Thrill them with a Holiday Haul Book Bag. How about that hard-to-shop for history buff? Give them story after story with a local history themed bag. Our book bags are special just for the holiday season, so grab yours before they sell out.
We hope to see you on Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024, where shopping small makes a big difference! Don’t miss your chance to meet the dynamic Elizabeth Hobbs and tick off your list with gifts from The Haunted Book Shop.

Sunday, December 8 at 3pm: A NewSouth Bookstore Holiday Special with John Martello and Friends
2024-12-08 15:00 - 16:30 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
The NewSouth Bookstore officially kicks off the 2024 holiday season with a very special event on Sunday, December 8 at 3pm. Enjoy an afternoon of short holiday-themed readings — from the works of Moss Hart, Groucho Marx, Damon Runyon, and others — with musical interlude. The talented cast includes Wanda Battle, Rodney Clark, Greta Lambert, Maire Martello, Greg Thornton, and the producer himself, John Martello. The NewSouth Bookstore loves a holiday tradition. Ringing in the holidays with Martello and friends is fast becoming a wonderful such tradition. Don’t miss the fun!

A Perfectly Southern Afternoon with Lynn Oldshue
2024-12-08 15:00 - 16:30 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Join us for “A Perfectly Southern Afternoon with Lynn Oldshue” on December 8th, at The Haunted Book Shop, where we’ll be celebrating the release of Our Southern Souls, Vol. II.
Author Lynn Oldshue invites us into the heart of the South with her fantastic collection ‘Our Southern Souls, Vol. II’. This compelling anthology presents narratives that are humorous, gut-wrenching, inspiring, and deeply connected with history. The stories act as reminders of the trials and tribulations we humans conquer daily, offering intimate glimpses into the dualistic nature of mankind, tearing at the fabric of the broken and the beautiful within all of us.
Lynn Oldshue’s acute observations immersed in Southern charm offer a window into diverse and resilient souls, encouraging readers to turn inward and reflect upon their own stories.
Attendees will be treated to an in-conversation with Lynn featuring Mobile’s own Kelly Finley. Afterwards, patrons will have an opportunity to engage with the author during the book signing.
We welcome all literary enthusiasts to immerse in an afternoon of authentic southern storytelling and help celebrate Lynn’s latest offering. Reserve your copy and spot today.
To enter the signing line, we kindly ask attendees to purchase a copy of Our Southern Souls, Vol II from The Haunted Book Shop.

Tuesday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m. at The NewSouth Bookstore: Patrick Parr presents on Malcolm Before X
2024-12-10 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
We are excited to welcome to the store Patrick Parr, whose new biography about Malcolm X is already considered the definitive story of the youth and adulthood of one of our most controversial civil rights leaders. Michael Eric Dyson calls Malcolm Before X a “breathtaking act of intellectual reconstruction and sublime literary achievement.” Parr comes all the way from Japan to visit at The NewSouth Bookstore with his brilliant new work. Join us for his talk about Malcolm Before X on Tuesday, December 10 at 5:30pm.

Brooke Champagne and Jason McCall read from new work at The NewSouth Bookstore
2024-12-12 17:30 - 19:00 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
A lovely evening awaits us with readings from new work by Brooke Champagne and Jason McCall, scheduled on Thursday, December 12 at 5:30pm. Champagne’s newest book, Nola Face, is a collection of essays that explore topics of family, identity, memory, and the complicated ways in which we relate to each other. McCall’s Razed by TV Sets, also a book of essays, plumbs the ways in which depictions of race and masculinity have shaped how the author sees himself and others. Both smart writers, Champagne and McCall find meaning in the everyday — in our activities, our culture, our bonds.

Poets Across Lines Virtual Poetry Reading
2024-12-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
On December 12, 2024 at 7:00pm CST the four poets of the inaugural cohort of Poets Across Lines will read poems created during the program. These poems center around the themes of housing, immigration, and LGBTQIA+ identity, amplifying poetry and poets from communities underserved by the traditional literary establishment.
Featuring introductions and readings by program Mentors Erika Wade and Gabriel Dozal, and poems by Advisors Salaam Green and Ofelia Montelongo!
Poets: Arlo Pate and Kevin L. Tarver in Birmingham, AL; Kevin Sanchez and RuthAnn in Tucson, AZ.
Poems from this evening will be available in Watching for the Moon Above: Poets Across Lines (Community Poetry from Birmingham & Tucson) a collaborative zine produced by Pansy Press. The zine can be downloaded for free at the end of the reading. Register here for free: https://pen.org/event/poets-across-lines-final-reading-2024/
Free and open to the public with registration! The Zoom link will be provided the day of the event.

An Afternoon with Your Barefoot Neighbor Matthew Bounds, Dec. 15, 3 p.m., at the Haunted Book Shop in Mobile
2024-12-15 15:00 - 17:00
Tired of complicated? Matthew Bounds of Your Barefoot Neighbor is coming to Mobile to help you keep it simple! Join us for “An Afternoon with Your Barefoot Neighbor Matthew Bounds” at The Haunted Book Shop on December 15, 3-5pm. This special event features cookbook author and social media creator, Matthew Bounds, discussing his new book “Keep It Simple, Y’all” with local author & foodie influencer Amanda Gibson. With these two on board, the conversation is guaranteed to be hilarious.
In “Keep It Simple, Y’all,” Bounds shares sixty of his most popular dishes, each designed for ease and efficiency without sacrificing flavor or quality. From comforting slow-cooked meals like Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff to quick sheet pan dinners such as Shrimp and Veggie Stir Fry or Cajun Ranch Chicken Breasts, these recipes cater to a range of skill levels and provide a flexible template, encouraging readers to swap in what they have on hand and make the recipes their own.
With his laid-back approach to cooking, Bounds is well-established as the go-to source for delicious, no-fuss meals. His dedication to demystifying the world of home cooking has earned him a loyal following, and this book serves as a testament to his philosophy that preparing and enjoying good food should be simple and stress-free.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Matthew Bounds firsthand, when he joins author and foodie Amanda Gibson in conversation inside our shop. Hold the stress and pass the simplicity, please. I’ll take seconds!

Geminga Contest 2025
2024-12-31 - 2025-01-31 | Online, NC
Sunspot Lit’s Geminga contest honors the power of micro poetry, prose, and art. Opens January 1, closes January 31. Entry fee: $5. Prize: $100 cash and publication. See guidelines and entry form here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit/316621/geminga-2025-100-for-tiny-fiction-cnf-poetry-graphic-novel-art.

January Artwalk with Harry Miller & Vedran Dedic
2025-01-10 18:00 - 20:00 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Join us for an Artwalk book signing on January 10, 2024, 6-8pm. We will welcome author Harry Miller with his political thriller “Meet Me at the Rascal” and author Vedran Dedic with his poignant coming-of-age tale “Wanderer’s Journey.” This is a can’t-miss Artwalk at 9 S. Joachim St. Make sure to say hi to Mr. Bingley and browse all the books that haunt you. See you then!
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the authors, delve into their inspirations and themes, and discuss being a working writer in today’s publishing climate. Do not miss this opportunity to explore the crossroads of past and future and the bravery of a bold journey.

Sunday, January 19 at 3pm at The NewSouth Bookstore: Anne Byrn introduces Baking in the American South
2025-01-19 15:00 - 16:30 | The NewSouth Bookstore, 105 S. Court St, Montgomery, 36104, United States
There are cookbooks and then there are cookbooks. Anne Byrn’s new Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories has already been called a treasure — a yeasty, mouthwatering volume of time-tested recipes served up with stories of the people who created them. Recipes can tell you volumes — about crops raised, languages spoken, family customs and more. Byrn delivers scores of great recipes — for cheese biscuits, cornbread, cakes and rolls and more — even as she provides a deep dive into the history of fourteen Southern states, featuring stories and culinary traditions from pre-Civil War times to today’s Southern kitchens. Her Baking in the American South is a definitive work that will itself stand the taste of time. Come meet Anne Byrn at The NewSouth Bookstore on Sunday, January 19 at 3pm.

Signing with Heather Morris, Jan. 19, 3 p.m., The Haunted Book Shop
2025-01-19 15:00 - 17:00 | The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S JOACHIM ST, MOBILE, AL, 36602-2707, United States
Join us at The Haunted Book Shop on January 19th, 3pm, for an appearance by The Haunted States of America contributor Heather Morris. Her debut children’s book “TRUNK GOES THUNK!” has hit the shelves of The Haunted Book Shop and we’re ready for every word and beautiful illustration.
Morris’s “TRUNK GOES THUNK,” employs a lyrical voice and the innovative use of word opposites to unravel a narrative on how forest creatures ingeniously repurpose a fallen trunk, crafting it into a log bridge. The tale abounds with all the charm and whimsicality nature has to offer. It’s a playful, enlightening spin on the circle of life in a forest, encouraging our younger audience to view their surroundings with fresh, curious eyes.
The Haunted States of America explores urban legends with fifty-two unique stories from multiple authors, including Morris, and takes adventurous readers on a spooky cross-country tour of the United States, with eerie detours to D.C. and Puerto Rico. Each tale introduces a new frightful entity, threading a thrilling narrative of monsters, embellished tales, and poltergeists.
This event celebrates storytelling, examining the balance between the beauty found in nature and the haunting whispers of American folklore. Don’t miss your chance to dive into the imaginative worlds these stories offer.
Make your reservation today!
