Danny Bernstein danny@hikertohiker.org	Hiking North Carolina's Blue Ridge Heritage Milestone Press Danny Bernstein's newest guidebook, Hiking North Carolina's Blue Ridge Heritage, lists 66 day hikes, ranging in length from 1 to 13 miles. Each one includes everything you need to know to get out on the trail: clear maps and detailed directions, mileage and elevation gain, trail highlights, fees and hiking regulations, and even books and movies related to each hike location. The new guide also includes three auto tours with shorter walks. Danielle "Danny" Bernstein, author of Hiking the Carolina Mountains, is an Appalachian Trail end-to-ender and recently completed the more than 800 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She leads hikes and writes about the outdoors from her home in Asheville, NC. She will be speaking about her adventures and books on Saturday, June 13, at 3:30 pm. Please join us.
Donald Hall swp1@suddenlink.net	The Cross-Over Chronicles Self Published.
Tom Perry freestateofpatrick@yahoo.com	J. E. B. Stuart's Birthplace: The History of the Laurel Hill Farm Notes From the Free State of Patrick: Patrick County, VA Tom Perry has written extensively about Patrick and Henry Counties in Virginia as well as Surry County and Mt. Airy, NC. His favorite book, "J. E. B. Stuart's Birthplace: The History of Laurel Hill Farm" is his favorite because it also involves a personal story.
James C. Gillen jamescgillen@hotmailcom	Tortured skin - Book 1 of the Paul Isaac Vampire series Kerlak Publications - Self Published Looking for a new vampire series? Try out "Tortured Skin" the first in the Paul Isaac series. Isaac is a vampire executioner with one small problem. Vampires are now legal members of society. But when he discovers he has been injected with a deadly virus which will turn him into a vampire he begins the hunt for a sadistic vampire and solve a very bizarre case. Meet James Gillen, creator of this series, who received the 2007 Florida Writer's Award for besting horror.
Jeff Kirwan	Remarkable Trees of Virginia UVA Press Jeff Kirwan, co-author of "Remarkable Trees of Virginia", will be attending the festival this year. The book is the story of either very old, unusual, historic or in some other way, prominent trees of Virginia. One tree, an Osage Orange, Patrick Henry played his fiddle under at his last home, Red Hill, near Brookneal, VA. Another tree has a tricycle growing in it! Jeff will be speaking about the book and state project on Saturday, June 13 at 10:30 am, so be sure to stop and listen. This is a rich, historic, fascinating book about trees, Virginia, and nature.
Wade Gilley	Foy's World Wade Gilley has set his novel in the place he knows best, the Blue Ridge Mountains. Taking place during the Great Depression, he has drawn memories from his own life to create a story with a series of conversations between a 45 year old grandmother, Sophie and her10 year old grandson, Foy. The times, the language and culture of the area is intertwined throughout the book and provide insight into the hardscrabble mountain life of the 1930's.
Karen Spears Zacharias spearszach@msn.com	Where's Your Jesus Now - Zondervan, After the Flag Has Been Folded - Harper Karen Spears Zacharias grew up in several GA trailer parks where her brother taught her how to outrun the cops and her mother taught her how to load cinder blocks in a hurry. But despite her trailer park beginnings, Karen graduated from Oregon State University with a BS in Communications, which her mama swears she mastered long before Karen wasted all that money on college! Her new book, "Where's Your Jesus Now? Examining How Fear Erodes our Faith", is a compelling look at how fear eclipses faith in frightening times but also demonstrates how to confront whatever you fear most, thereby setting yourself free. A. J. Jacobs, author of "The Year of Living Biblically" says this book is "witty, full of compassion and righteous outrage". Karen has been nominated for a nonfiction/Best Conversation Starter award by the Southern Independent Booksellers Association for 2009. Other books include "After the Flag Has Been Folded", the story of Karen, her siblings and their mother who held the family together after her father was killed in Vietnam in 1966. Married to a pretty decent Yankee, she is the mother of 4 delightful and devoted adult children, and mother-in-law to a verified Sinner. That's not a commentary on his character. That is really his name!
Keith Donnelly TessaDonn@aol.com	Three Deuces Down, Three Days Dead John Blair Keith Donnelly is a returning author, from Johnson City, TN. He has created the very popular Donald Youngblood mystery series with his first title, "Three Deuces Down" selling out at the festival last year. His second one, "Three Days Dead" will be out in time for the festival, and is at present working on the third in the series "Three Devils Dancing". He and his wife, Tessa, now reside in Gatlinburg, TN. To hear more about Keith joins us at the stage on Saturday, June 13, at 3pm to hear him speak about his experiences.
Ellie Kirby foxcreekpress@yahoo.com	The White Bear The Tale of Caty Sage Ellie Kirby, an amazing artist residing in Troutdale, VA, has written and illustrated a new children's book, "The White Bear" which is an Appalachian folk tale about a young woman and a white bear/prince. The story is very familiar, but with Kirby's rich illustrations it comes to life. And you may very well recognize some of the characters in the book. She used local folks as models for all the people in the book. And don't forget her first book, "The Legend of Caty Sage", which is just as delightful and beautiful, telling the story of a young girl who was captured by Indians in Elk Creek, VA.
Libby Bondurant kbondura@myapplemail.com	Grazing Along the Crooked Road Libby Bondurant and her good friend Betty Skeens traveled the 253-mile route of the Crooked Road to combine great recipes with lots of stories, home remedies and interesting information from the 10 counties of Southwest Virginia. This wonderful book shares a glimpse of the beauty and diversity of the land and the hardy folks who live there as well as provide some very good eating!
Jim Minick jminick@radford.edu	Finding a Clear Path WVA Un. Press Jim Minick, author of "Finding a clear Path", teaches at Radford University and lives on a farm in Southwest Virginia. His writing has appeared in many publications, which include The Encyclopedia of Appalachia, Conversations with Wendell Berry, The San Francisco Chronicle and The Roanoke Times New River Current. His essays and poems have won numerous awards including the Appalachian Writers Association's Wilma Dykeman Award for Essay and the James Still Award for Poetry. "Finding a Clear Path" intertwines Appalachian literature, agriculture and ecology describing everything from the changing seasons to the beneficial black snake. Using his background as a blueberry farmer and his own life experiences Minick takes the reader on many journeys. Reading this collection of essays will allow you to relax into an armchair exploration of Appalachia of perhaps spark you to start journeys of your own.
Lee Houston	My Children's Heritage The Upward Call Millennium III Lee Houston is returning to the book festival with a new book entitled "The Upward Call". It is written to point the way and provide biblical guidelines for what God expects us to do with our lives as Christians. As Rev. John Ousley explains, it is "A wonderful discourse on sanctification. Lee Houston lives out fully what he believes".
Dot Jackson Dotjackson6mile@aol.com	Refuge John Blair A very popular author here in Galax, Dot Jackson will be returning with her book "Refuge". Its descriptions of the hardships of rural mountain life in an historical setting and a strong Southern woman survivor theme, this voice in Appalachian fiction echoes Robert Morgan and Charles Frazier. The book, written by a strong yet kind woman, won the Appalachian Book of the Year Award.
Bill Barker billb11@alltel.net	A Life in Textiles Bill Barker was employed by the textile industry from 1949 to 1999, and witnessed firsthand the demise of this once-great American industry. His book is especially interesting here, as he worked in Fries twice, from 1977 to 1980 and then again from 1982 to 1987.
Cara Ellen Modisett cmodisett@leisurepublishing.com	Editor Blue Ridge Country
Pat & Chuck Blackley pcblackley@comcast.net	Blue Ridge Parkway: Simply Beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway Impressions Far Country Press Cara Ellen Modisett, editor of Blue Ridge Country Magazine, will be at the book festival with Pat and Chuck Blackley. Together they have published "Blue Ridge Parkway: Simply Beautiful". Cara's wonderful prose accompanies the incredible photography of the Blackleys. This is a must book for anyone traveling or living along the Parkway. They will be speaking of their experiences in creating this beautiful book on Saturday, June 13 at 2 pm. Join us!
Jerry Haynes visi_dublin@hotmail.com	The Cotton Mill A Cotton Mill Christmas The Saga of Caty Sage Jerry Haynes will be here again this year! His earlier books, "A Cotton Mill Town Christmas" and "A Cotton Mill", both of which are based on living in the nearby town of Fries,will be joined this year with a new book "The Saga of Caty Sage".
Master Gardeners of the Blue Ridge Cookbook	The Master Gardeners of the Blue Ridge will be here to sign their cookbook "Fresh From the Garden". In these economic times, learn what grows well here and then how to prepare it!
Tim Pegram Timothypat@aol.com	Blue Ridge Parkway by Foot McFarland Tim Pegram, a retired park ranger, will be not only sharing his book, "Blue Ridge Parkway by Foot", but also his experiences when he speaks at the festival on Saturday, June 13 at 3:30 pm. His book relates his backpacking trip along the entire 469-mile road that is one of the most visited units of the National Park Service.
Cece Bell cecebell@yahoo.com	Bee books, Sock Monkey books Candlewick Press Cece Bell is a children's picture book author and illustrator who also pursues many odd side projects and illustration jobs. We are delighted to announce that she will be bringing her very own Sock Monkey and reading her wonderful stories on Saturday, June 13 at 11am. She will also bring her newest book, "Bee-Wigged". Be sure and come meet her, (and her sock monkey) at the festival!
Tom Angleberger tomangleberger@yahoo.com Michael Hemphill hemphills4@yahoo.com	Stonewall Hinkleman and the Battle of Bull Run The Quikpick Adventure Society Dial Publishing (Penguin) Michael Hemphill and Tom Angleberger met while reporting for The Roanoke Times. Hemphill's series of news stories about the disputed ownership of a famous Civil War battle flag inspired the them to write a fictional story about Civil War re-enactors. Soon they were sending a very reluctant re-enactor, named Stonewall Hinkleman, back in time to fight the real Battle of Bull Run. They hope to continue Stonewall Hinkleman's adventures with books set at other famous Civil War battles. Hemphill runs Civil War Journey, a battlefield tour company, and Angleberger writes other books for young readers. His first book, The Qwikpick Adventure Society, is about kids growing up and getting into trouble in Southwest Virginia.
Maggie Bishop maggiebishop@peoplepc.com	Emeralds in the Snow and others Ingalls Publishing John Blair Maggie Bishop, with her vast knowledge of the Appalachian region, brings to life characters and events in her novels. As the Asheville Citizen-Times stated, "A good part of Bishop's success is the set-up she's engineered". Her romances "get off to a good start and maintains an exciting tension that manages to carry to the end".
Bill Kaiser williamfkaiser@gmail.com	Bloodroot: A Novel of the Civil War Ingalls John Blair A New Jersey "Yankee", Bill Kaiser has resided in the mountains of NC for the past 15 years. A life-long Civil War buff, he began his career as a reporter for the Newark Evening News in Newark, NJ. In the years that followed he has worked as an editor, publisher, public relations executive and free lance writer. Bloodroot is his first novel.
Mariner Media Publishing Andy@MarinerMedia.com	Andy Wolfe - president
Karen Cecil Smith wordspin@northstate.net	Old Salem Christmas Orlean Puckett: The Life of a Midwife John Blair Karen Cecil Smith is a freelance writer who has worked as a newspaper reporter, editor and photographer. Her stories have appeared in Woman's World magazine, Writer's Journal and other national publications. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC, with her husband. Her story of Orlean Puckett is a well-researched book about a woman who was first a wife and mother to 24 babies, none surviving. She helped hide her husband when he deserted the Civil War, and then, at the age of 45, began a long career in midwifery, delivering over 1000 babies in the Blue Ridge Mountains. An amazing history of an amazing woman. Her newest book, "Old Salem Christmas" brings to life the celebration of this holiday by the Moravians, in 1840.
Charles Shields gs1994@earthlink.net	Mockingbird Henry Holt Charles Shields resides in Barboursville, VA, and is a former high school English teacher. "Mockingbird" is an unofficial biography of Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird". This was the only book Miss Lee ever wrote. "To Kill a Mockingbird" was incredibly successful (selling over 1.5 million copies the first year, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize) but Mr. Shields wondered why she never wrote another, as did the rest of the world. He took it upon himself to investigate, without her help, by interviewing people who know her, and researching the story in order to present a compelling, authentic story of this American icon. As Garrison Keillor wrote in The New York Times Review, "Shields is a scrupulous journalist who respects (Lee's) privacy even as he opens up her life." Please join us Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 pm to hear of Mr. Shields' experiences in writing this biography.
Julia Taylor Ebel juliatebel@gmail.com	Jack Tales and Mountain Yarns as Told by Orville Hicks The Picture Man John Blair Julia Taylor Ebel celebrates nature, heritage and cultural history through stories and poetry. She has received 3 North Carolina Society of Historians book awards for her work, including "Jack Tales and Mountain Yarns as Told by Orville Hicks". Her belief that these tales should be kept alive, as well as remembering the storytellers, reflects in all her works.
Donna Akers info@donnaakers.com	Washington County Washington County Revisited Arcadia Press John Blair Donna Akers credits hearing stories about Daniel Boone camping in the Abingdon area when his dogs were attacked by wolves with developing her love of history. She grew up near Abingdon and now resides in western North Carolina. "Donna Akers is a wonderful writer, so entertaining that the story really takes over and history comes alive on the page before us. Great reading for all ages" - Lee Smith, author of "The Last Girls".
Anne Marie Freeman rheefree@triad.rr.com	Snead, Fran The Goat at the Roxy Theater Xlibris Pub Anne and Fran are sisters who grew up in Bassett, VA with a love of books and storytelling. Anne is a college psychology teacher and lives in Eden, NC with her husband, two sons and dog. Fran is a fifth grade teacher who resides in Martinsville, VA. Teach your children the value of appreciation in this great little story of a young goat. The story creates a wonderful moment with it pages of amazing illustrations and scenarios.
Joe Tennis jtennis995@mybluelight.com	Beach to Bluegrass Southwest Virginia Crossroads Overmountain Press Arcadia Join Joe Tennis, an author who grew up in Virginia Beach and now resides between Bristol and Abingdon, in a wonderful journey along the longest road in Virginia, US 58. Explore the legends, share the history and celebrate the beauty of Virginia.
Carolyn Tyree Feagus write4hope@aol.com	The Dogwoods are Blooming, Spring's Return In the Shadow of the Blue Ridge, Sharp Top, There is a Season Known for her compelling stories, books you cannot put down, Carolyn Tyree Feagans now has five available novels and is working on number six. They are Inspirational/Historical Novels. Though easy reading, her stories conjure up deeper meanings of life and death for the reader to ponder. Born in Lynchburg, she grew up in Amherst County at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and graduated with honors from Madison Heights High School. Although she has lived in scenic Minnesota, the great state of Texas, and charming South Carolina, plus traveled considerably, she proudly acclaims the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia as her home.
Chris Ledbetter	Caenus and the Quiver of Artemis While Chris Ledbetter has a degree in business administration and taought business classes at a high school in Culpepper, he has always loved mythology and fantasy. His first novel, "Caenus and the Quiver of Artemis" was published in January of this year.
Doug Butler	A Walk Atop America John Blair Doug Butler is a travel writer and award-winning photographer whose love of adventure, sensitivity to native cultures, and joy in exploring remote areas are shared through work which has appeared nationally. In "A Walk Atop America" he fulfills a dream of climbing the high point of each of the 50 states, with lots of adventure in the journey. He calls Asheville, NC home where he is a practicing emergency room and family medicine physician. On Saturday, June 13 join us at 10 am to hear Doug talk about his adventures.
Tessa Donnelly	Turkey Tales Tessa Donnelly has written a sweet book about tales from her family. C. H. "Charlie" Marshall (1879-1960) from Carroll County, married Virginia Elizabeth Wright (1883-1948). They spent their married lives in Sylvatus and Abingdon, VA and Kingsport, TN and with 18 children, 34 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren, 93 great-great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-great-grandchildren, there are lots of tales to tell!
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