Novelists share trade secrets on MPB’s “Writers”

(Jackson, Miss.) - Acclaimed authors Kent Haruf, Tim Gautreaux and Tom Franklin are featured in a special two-part episode titled “Novelists” of Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s (MPB) original series “Writers” airing June 19 and 26 at 8 p.m.

The Thursday, June 19th episode, explores the creative process as each novelist shares his individual method of getting ideas and getting them down on paper.

During the June 26th episode, the authors discuss what happens after they write their novels, from dealing with editors, agents and bookstores to advice for aspiring writers.

Haruf grew up on the high plains of northeastern Colorado. He is the author of several novels, his latest being “Eventide,” a continuation of his novel “Plainsong.” His awards and recognitions include the American Library Association Distinguished Book List, the PEN-Hemingway Foundation Special Citation, a Whiting Foundation Writer’s Award and the Maria Thomas Award in Fiction.

Franklin is a southern writer from Dickinson, Alabama, and lives in Oxford, Mississippi. He is the author of a collection of stories titled “Poachers,” which was named as Best First Book of Fiction by “Esquire” in 1999. Franklin was a John and Rene Grisham Writer-in-Residence at the University of Mississippi in Oxford and a Tennessee Williams Fellow at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He ended his year as a Grisham Fellow with the release of “Hell at the Breech.” In 2006 Franklin earned critical praise with his latest novel, “Smonk.”

Gautreaux, another Grisham Fellow, was born in Morgan City, Louisiana. He retired as the Writer-in-Residence from Southeastern Louisiana University in December 2002 after 30 years of teaching literature and creative writing. His novel, “The Clearing,” features images from the writer’s own childhood and has received critical acclaim among reviewers.

Included in this two-part “Writers” is a piece with Grisham praising independent booksellers for promoting the books of up-and-coming authors. “What independent bookstores will do is take an unknown author for a first novel that they liked and create the buzz and talk to each other and push the book and get the author in the store. And they could make a career,” said Grisham.

For web-specific content, photos, lesson plans, and more information regarding each episode of MPB’s “Writers,” visit www.mpbonline.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Kathy Broom
June 9, 2008	601.432.6683
Novelists share trade secrets on MPB’s “Writers”
(Jackson, Miss.) - Acclaimed authors Kent Haruf, Tim Gautreaux and Tom Franklin are featured in a special two-part episode titled “Novelists” of Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s (MPB) original series “Writers” airing June 19 and 26 at 8 p.m. The Thursday, June 19th episode, explores the creative process as each novelist shares his individual method of getting ideas and getting them down on paper. During the June 26th episode, the authors discuss what happens after they write their novels, from dealing with editors, agents and bookstores to advice for aspiring writers. Haruf grew up on the high plains of northeastern Colorado. He is the author of several novels, his latest being “Eventide,” a continuation of his novel “Plainsong.” His awards and recognitions include the American Library Association Distinguished Book List, the PEN-Hemingway Foundation Special Citation, a Whiting Foundation Writer’s Award and the Maria Thomas Award in Fiction. Franklin is a southern writer from Dickinson, Alabama, and lives in Oxford, Mississippi. He is the author of a collection of stories titled “Poachers,” which was named as Best First Book of Fiction by “Esquire” in 1999. Franklin was a John and Rene Grisham Writer-in-Residence at the University of Mississippi in Oxford and a Tennessee Williams Fellow at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He ended his year as a Grisham Fellow with the release of “Hell at the Breech.” In 2006 Franklin earned critical praise with his latest novel, “Smonk.” Gautreaux, another Grisham Fellow, was born in Morgan City, Louisiana. He retired as the Writer-in-Residence from Southeastern Louisiana University in December 2002 after 30 years of teaching literature and creative writing. His novel, “The Clearing,” features images from the writer’s own childhood and has received critical acclaim among reviewers. Included in this two-part “Writers” is a piece with Grisham praising independent booksellers for promoting the books of up-and-coming authors. “What independent bookstores will do is take an unknown author for a first novel that they liked and create the buzz and talk to each other and push the book and get the author in the store. And they could make a career,” said Grisham. For web-specific content, photos, lesson plans, and more information regarding each episode of MPB’s “Writers,” visit www.mpbonline.org.