TUSCUMBIA-Alabama Literacy Association, with the University of North Alabama, will host Our Story: An Alabama Writers’ Symposium on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Helen Keller Public Library in Tuscumbia.
North Carolina Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti
New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry, along with North Carolina Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti will present keynote sessions.
Breakout sessions will be led by Henry and Bathanti along with University of North Alabama professor Dr. Jason McCall, Dr. Katie Owens-Murphy and Dr. Lorie Johnson.
This event is made possible by a grant from the Alabama Humanities Alliance.
Teachers, students, writers, readers, historians, community members – all are welcome to attend. The event is open to the public.
For more information or to register, please visit: https://www.alabamaliteracyassociation.com/events
Or, email Dr. Lorie Johnson, State Coordinator for the International Literacy Association, at ljohnson15@una.edu.
Patti Callahan Henry
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of sixteen novels and a podcast host. She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year for 2020 and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for 2019.
“With a belief that the power of story changes us and moves us, Patti’s historical fiction, The Secret Life of Flora Lea, Surviving Savannah, Wild Swan, and Becoming Mrs. Lewis explores the untold stories of the past that affect us now.”
The Secret Book of Flora Lea will be released on May 2nd, 2023 by Simon & Schuster Atria. A novel inspired by the true story of child evacuees from London during WWII, this novel explores what happens when a woman stumbles across a mysterious children’s book and long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood seen in the English countryside come to the surface. A novel that is “transporting, heartfelt, and atmospheric” (Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author).
Her previous novel, Surviving Savannah, is based on the true story of the Steamship Pulaski wreck, known as “The Titanic of the South” and was released March 9, 2021. There is a companion podcast series for the novel titled “The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah”, an in-depth exploration into the fascinating stories explored in her novel, Surviving Savannah. The podcast series (03/21) includes interviews with some of the foremost experts on the myth and lore of Savannah, shipwreck treasure hunting, the hidden stories in museums, and the astounding real-life family story that inspired the novel.
Wild Swan, a novella following the fiery life of one of history’s greatest heroines and the mother of modern nursing: Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan was released December 2020, as an Audible Original performed by the award-winning narrator, Cynthia Erivo.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis was released in an expanded edition, March 2020. The author is also the host of the popular seven-part original “Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series”—the podcast audiobook collection including bonus material was released in January 2020.
Once Upon a Wardrobe is another tenderly imagined and enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis from Callahan— October 19, 2021, and available now—published by Harper Collins’ new imprint —Harper Muse as their debut novel.
Reunion Beach: Stories Inspired by Dorothea Benton Frank, a collaboration and tribute was released April 27, 2021. Patti joins a group of bestselling authors to present a moving anthology to pay tribute to the legendary NYT bestselling author and her literary legacy.
Media Release/Dr. Lorie M. Johnson
Associate Professor
Director, Continuous Improvement & Accreditation
Special Assistant to the Senior Vice Provost/SACSCOC Liaison
