Author event and giveaway: Anna Jean Mayhew
I first met Anna Jean (A. J.) Mayhew at SIBA last fall and found her to be delightful, so I was thrilled when she made a stop at my local independent book store on her The Dry Grass of August tour. A. J. started writing her book in 1987 and finally finished it after her husband urged her to quit her job as a medical writer and editor and devote herself full time to the book. (Her husband is her biggest supporter – he was at the signing with her.)
It took A. J.’s agent a few years to sell her novel, but once Kensington read it, they offered her a two book deal. A. J. is currently at work on her second novel, Tomorrow’s Bread, which is set in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1970. It explores integration and urban renewal, among other things.
A native of Charlotte, A. J. has lived in North Carolina her whole life. She has three children and they’re all artistic in their own way.
A. J.’s debut novel, The Dry Grass of August, was released on March 29. You won’t want to miss it because it’s one of this season’s Okra Picks! Here’s the publisher’s description:
In this beautifully written debut, Anna Jean Mayhew offers a riveting depiction of Southern life in the throes of segregation, what it will mean for a young girl on her way to adulthood—and for the woman who means the world to her…
On a scorching day in August 1954, thirteen-year-old Jubie Watts leaves Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family for a Florida vacation. Crammed into the Packard along with Jubie are her three siblings, her mother, and the family’s black maid, Mary Luther. For as long as Jubie can remember, Mary has been there—cooking, cleaning, compensating for her father’s rages and her mother’s benign neglect, and loving Jubie unconditionally.
Bright and curious, Jubie takes note of the anti-integration signs they pass, and of the racial tension that builds as they journey further south. But she could never have predicted the shocking turn their trip will take. Now, in the wake of tragedy, Jubie must confront her parents’ failings and limitations, decide where her own convictions lie, and make the tumultuous leap to independence…
Infused with the intensity of a changing time, here is a story of hope, heartbreak, and the love and courage that can transform us—from child to adult, from wounded to indomitable.
To enter to win an autographed copy of THE DRY GRASS OF AUGUST by Anna Jean Mayhew, simply fill out this entry form. Contest is open worldwide. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EST Friday, April 22, 2011. The winner will be announced on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
The longer I live in the south the more I apperciate her talented writers and their insight.
I love your author event meme.
Kathy, thank you so much for letting us share a bit of your event with Anna Jean Mayhew. I’m very interested in her book and will be on the lookout for it. Lovely.
So cool that you got the chance to see Mayhew again! I remember being so impressed with her at SIBA. Still haven’t gotten the chance to read the book, but I am hoping to soon!
If I had to chose just one genre to read the rest of my life (gasp) I’m pretty sure it would be Southern fiction. This sounds like a wonderful read. You’ve been on a quite the roll for great giveaways this week. Oh, I think I signed up for The Kitchen Daughter giveaway. You can take me off the list I got it in the mail yesterday. Thanks for hosting.
This one has been on my radar for a few weeks. I’m dying to read it. Hope I win!
This books sounds amazing. Thanks for the giveaway.
The Dry Grass of August sounds amazing. I adore Southern fiction and want to read more. Anna Jean’s debut with it’s interesting characters, relevant themes and great setting intrigues me.
Thank you for posting about this book and hosting a giveaway as well!
How did I miss this lady? The things I sacrificed for that football game! Hey, if it is OKRA, then I’m interested. Did you see the finalists for the main book prize for SIBA were announced?
You do get to meet all the great authors, don’t you, Kathy?! This book is high up on my wish list, so thank you so much for the chance to win a copy!
This is one I’d really love to read!
This sounds like a good book. I love how you tell us about all these events you attend!
You always have such a good time at author events and have such cool stories. I do love my southern fiction.
This book sounds like a bit of history and a good storyline. Thanks for the visit with Anna Jean.
I so enjoyed meeting Anna Jean at SIBA and how wonderful you got to see her again at your local indie shop! What a fantastic store you have there! Thank you for sharing your experience with this amazing author!
What a supportive spouse for believing in the author enough to urge her to quit her day job. Kudos to both!
I really enjoyed learning about the book and thank you for offering a giveaway.
This book sounds good! I love books set in the South during the segregation period.
I would love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway !
You live in the best area!!!
Thanks for the giveaway too
I am so envious that you have such opportunities to meet these authors. I read your message about Christy English’s upcoming visit. You have to go and let me live vicariously through you AGAIN!
You’ve managed to attend some really wonderful author events. The one bookstore close to us that did lots of signings is now gone
I love the video of the author discussing her writing. I felt like I was there. Thanks for offering the autographed copy.
An Okra pick? Count me in! (as one who is happy NOT to have lived in the segregated South, but with a mother from Louisiana who ended up marrying a black man while in college at Oberlin and subsequently being disinherited from her family, I have a strong tendency to want to read books that center around that time period)
I love Southern Fiction so this is definitely going on my wish list. You live in the best area. You are always getting to meet authors. We don’t have too much of that in my area. I get excited just watching your video clip. Can’t imagine how I would feel in real life.
WOW — Anna’s book sounds wonderful! I’ve entered the contest but even if I don’t win, the book will most definitely be added to my column of reads-in-waiting!
Thanks so much for the post!
I love souther fiction and this was one of my favorites. Being born in lincolnton,n.c. and lived here all of my life; i understand so much about what she writes about. Also, my husband graduated from myers park high school with the author and one of my good friends went to school,. with her. I highly recommend it. veronica
I picked up Anna Jean Mayhew’s book while browsing for a paperback in Sam’s Club . Since I was born in 1954 and became very aware of segregation at an early age, I was quickly hooked. Also, I lived in Charlotte for several years and could picture several locations mentioned in the book. I remained hooked throughout the novel. The characters came to life for me, and I was sad to say goodbye on the last page. It usually takes me a couple of weeks to read a novel. The Dry Grass of August took a couple of days. Record time….didn’t want it to end. Thank you! I am looking forward to the second book!