The area’s literary elite bookworm’s (avid readers!), storytellers, just plain regular folks, and aspiring writers are in for a treat that is not an exaggeration when you apply the description of “world class” to the event. Beginning with Simon & Schuster’s best-selling author, Lisa Genova, amidst her national book tour to promote her newest book, MORE OR LESS MADDY, released on January 14th, people will get a chance to hear first-hand about a young woman (Maddy) diagnosed with bipolar disorder and having to grapple with its effects. Author Genova, a Harvard-educated neuroscientist, sprang into national prominence with her first novel, STILL ALICE, which was made into a hit film starring Julianne Moore, who won the best actor Academy Award for her role as a fifty-something professional wrestling with early Alzheimer’s. Genova’s book was one of two books selected for a community reading initiative that began last July in Diamondhead. According to Leah Holmes, branch manager of the East Hancock/Diamondhead library branch, this led to the publisher and author’s interest in Coastal Mississippi. Author Genova will be presented IN CONVERSATION with another acclaimed author, Mississippi native and current New Orleans resident, Katy Simpson Smith, who was recently awarded the adult fiction “Book of the Year” by the Mississippi Library Commission. Not to be outdone by author Genova’s high profile and national prominence, more than 30 other authors – some of the finest and most talented from Mississippi, New Orleans, and points beyond – will participate in live, in-person discussions of their books and what inspires them to be writers. Last year, nearly 400 people attended the HOMEGROWN literary event after the Hancock County Library System teamed with its Harrison County counterpart to produce and present a full day of programs that is free and open to the public. HOMEGROWN was created in November 2019, before COVID tabled plans to offer the annual Gulf Coast event with the talent to pull attendance from both the New Orleans and Mobile (AL) areas.
HOMEGROWN 2025 weaves a theme about “storytelling” through its various sessions according to Kevin Cole, who handles PR/Marketing for the library system. “Writers tell stories much of the time,” stated Cole, “and Mississippians are known to be great storytellers.” One of the most widely known and award-winning professional storytellers, Diane Williams (Jackson, MS) will lead a panel that is made up of authors, a musician, and an artist/photographer in attempt to present a multi-disciplinary program that cuts across a broad interest level. Margot Cooper (book: DEEP INSIDE THE BLUES), Dan Gutstein (book: POOR GAL), Kathryn Lewis, director of The Telling Trees Project in Stone County, and Williams will present a lively discussion that is sure to appeal to a broad range of literary fans.
An authors panel that proved so popular last January that HOMEGROWN event organizers have decided to make it an annual a feature of the HOMEGROWN event. The session entitled, THE ART OF THE COOKBOOK will feature four authors/chefs and “foodies” whose books are especially popular. Malcolm White, former director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and founder of the popular Hal & Mal’s restaurant in Jackson will moderate a panel comprised of Mellissa M. Martin (new cookbook, BAYOU), from Mosquito Supper Club (NOLA), Dale Gray, author of the popular SOUTH OF SOMEWHERE, which chronicles Gray’s travels as a foodie and resident of South Africa, South Korea, and now America’s South, having moved to Mississippi with her husband (formerly in the U.S. military) whom she met while living in South Korea. Gray’s blog following numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Author Matt Haines returns to the area with his comprehensive (and timely!) THE BIG BOOK OF KING CAKE, and popular author/chef and travel writer, Robert St. John (book: MISSISSIPPI MORNINGS) rounds out the stellar panel. Hancock County Library System executive director, John Brdecka noted that books by all of the participating authors will be available for sale. Authors will be available to sign/autograph their books for guests.
IN CONVERSATION sessions will also include a much anticipated hour-long discussion between New Orleans-based M.O. (Neal) Walsh, whose book, THE BIG DOOR PRIZE has recently inspired an Apple TV+ limited series that can now be viewed online, who will be talking with Beth Kander, a playwright and author of I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY, which was just published in December, and shot to the USA Today’s best-selling authors list amidst rave reviews. Walsh is the director of the Creative Writing Graduate Program at the University of New Orleans, while Kander has Mississippi roots with in-laws from Ocean Springs, and serves as an adjunct faculty at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. Leah Holmes described the energy level and creativity of the two authors as “nothing but ‘off-the-charts positive!’“
Acclaimed author and award-winner, New Orleans-based Jason Berry will discuss his book and documentary film entitled, CITY OF A MILLION DREAMS that is an historical look and assessment of NOLA’s ̶̶waning tradition of the second-line funerals. Berry will be interviewed by area director of the 100 MEN HALL, Rachel Dangermond.
A very special and exclusive film screening of EUDORA, a documentary film, with companion book, by Mississippi filmmaker and author/artist Anthony Thaxton, which was premiered at the prestigious Mississippi Book Festival in September will be screened in the afternoon session of the HOMEGROWN 2025 event. An author talk back” session will follow the film screening.
Additionally, of special interest to writers is a PUBLISHERS FORUM with four regional publishing companies fielding questions from those audience members interested in learning how to navigate and prepare for dealings with book publishers. Companies include the University Press of Mississippi (Jackson), Nautilus Publishing (Oxford), Pelican Publishing (NOLA), and Dogwood Press (MS).
Other author panels that are sure to please and offering something for everyone include: An IN CONVERSATION discussion with ROOTED online magazine founder, Lauren Rhoades and author Lee Durkee (book: THE LAST TAXI DRIVER, and its sequel); plus a session entitled (re)VISITING KATRINA: YEAR 20 with a panel of authors who’ve written personal accounts inspired by Gulf Coast experiences ̶̶ with Hurricane Katrina (2005). Moderated by Ground Zero Hurricane Museum director, Bernie Cullen, the panel includes, author Margaret McMullan (book: AFTERMATH LOUNGE), journalist and photographer Ellis Anderson (book: UNDER SURGE, UNDER SIEGE), and Rob Gaudet, founder and author of CAJUN NAVY GROUND FORCE; and (re)INTRODUCING WALTER ANDERSON with panelists John Anderson (book: THE BICYCLE LOGS OF WALTER ANDERSON), Mary Anderson Pickard (book: ANDERSON’S ALICE), and Kendell Dunkleberg (book: BARRIER ISLAND SUITE), moderated by the director of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Julian Rankin.
Two young readers author panels will also be included. These are CHILDREN’S LITERATURE with authors, Marshall Ramsey (book: SAVING SAM! A BANJO THE DOG STORY) Bay St Louis’s best selling Amazon books author Natalie Guess (book: THE BIGGEST, THE OLDEST, THE STRONGEST), and Emily Liner (book: STRETCH LIKE SCARLET), with moderator and author Andrea Moreau, all of whom will offer insight and tips on writing for children. A young adult reader YA LITERATURE panel will feature Florida author Phillippe Diederich (book: DIAMOND PARK), Johnnie Bernhard (HANNAH & ARIELA), moderated by Tracy Carr.
The HOMEGROWN 2025 event is free and is open to the public. The event takes place on the University of Southern Mississippi’s GULF PARK CAMPUS in Long Beach. Doors open at 8:30 AM with the program beginning promptly at 9 AM. People can come and go throughout the day to sample sessions of most interest. The film screening of EUDORA is scheduled for 2:30 PM. The event concludes at 5 PM. King Cake will be served, and onsite food service will be provided by 228COCINA catering.
The Hancock County Library System acknowledges the following entities for financially supporting the HOMEGROWN event: The Library Foundation of Hancock County; the Mississippi Humanities Council; the Mississippi Arts Commission; COASTAL MISSISSIPPI for its travel & tourism support; and the O’Conner/McMullan ̶̶Family ̶̶Foundation. Special thanks and appreciation also go out to Pass Christian Books and to 301 EAST SCENIC in Pass Christian for book sales and special event support.
People are encouraged to register online in advance of the February 1, 2025, event date. Space for some sessions is limited. To register and for more information, interested persons can go to:
https://hcls.info/homegrown