Author event and giveaway: Dorothea Benton Frank
I was lucky enough to see Dorothea Benton Frank at another Book Your Lunch event recently. Her latest book, Porch Lights, was released on June 12 and Dottie was thrilled to learn that woman who took the photo for its cover was in attendance.
Dottie was born and raised on Sullivan’s Island, SC and currently divides her time between there and New Jersey. She lives in New Jersey (and likes it there) because she’s “married to a Yankee” but plans to retire to South Carolina because she thinks there’s something special about the southeastern United States. She serves on the board of the South Carolina Historical Society and does a lot of her research there.
Porch Lights is Dottie’s thirteenth book set in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Like her last book, Folly Beach, it features a historical figure. When she discovered Edgar Allen Poe lived on Sullivan’s Island when he was in the Army, an idea formed in her mind. She did her research by re-reading a lot of Poe’s work plus many biographies about him. He was a fascinating man and was the first American writer to totally support himself with his writing.
During the question and answer period we learned:
- Dottie said she thinks readers are very smart so everyone can understand the Southern nuances in her books.
- For Dottie, the best part of being a writer is being heard and having the opportunity to listen to other’s stories.
- All of Dottie’s books will be set in the lowcountry.
- Her first book was published in 2000 and writing hasn’t gotten any easier since then.
- Make-up artist Bobbi Brown’s husband, Steven Plofker, won a charity auction to have a character named after him in Porch Lights!
Just for fun, here’s Dottie with Leah Rucker, the woman who took the cover photo:
I got Dottie to autograph a copy of Porch Lights for one lucky reader. To enter to win an autographed copy of PORCH LIGHTS, simply fill out the entry form. Contest is open worldwide – one entry per person, please. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EDT Saturday, July 14, 2012. Winner will be announced on Sunday, July 15, 2012. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
Another great author event. I can’t wait to read Porch Lights — and I didn’t know that Poe may play a role.
This would be a great beach read. I won Folly Beach (which was super by the way) from you in your last give away for one of her books. I wonder if I could make it 2 for 2? crossing fingers.
I love the tidbit about the charity auction character. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this, Kathy.
Ooh, I love, love love DBF! All her books are so wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am so jealous of your Book Your Lunch events! You don’t need to enter me in the giveaway however since there are some who come to Tucson and think my TBR pile is the fifth mountain range in the city!
Now, I am even more excited to meet her next week!!
I’d love to be counted in for the giveaway!
Great wrap up of another fun author event. I am so jealous!
This is a new author I am being inroduced to. thanks. Will look up for his works.
I haven’t read any of her books yet, but I really want to give her a try. Your Book Your Lunch events always sound so amazing!
Kathy, thank you for hosting another wonderful book giveaway. I’ll post this in my blog’s sidebar.
I love that you get to mingle with bookish rock stars!!!
Jason and I are talking about what places sound like great moving opportunities and I mentioned South Carolina just because of your Book Your Lunch events, LOL!
Thanks for entering me. I really love Dorothea Benton Frank’s book. I really liked Shem Creek.
This sounds like it was a wonderful event, Kathy, and I am glad that you got the opportunity to be there and meet Dorthea again. I remember her from SIBA, and what an amazing reception she got with her last book. This one sounds like a winner too! Wonderful post today!
How nice to get to speak with an author you enjoy. I keep saying I want to read some books set in the South but have yet to make a real effort to do it.
Oh how great that you got to go to this! It sounds like a fun event. I love Dorothea and her books. She was so kind and funny in an online book club I participated in.
Thanks for a terrific giveaway!
Another fun one! That is a book that I think s sounds wonderful! How fun to meet her!
How lovely that you were able to meet. I have been anxious to read Porch Lights. Thank you for the giveaway.