Self-Published Books by Southern Authors (Some Friends of Mine)

I so rarely post on this, my Southern Muse Journal... I had meant for the blog to be an extension of my website, Southern Muse. Why haven't I added to it? It's complicated. Sometimes I think it's because my southern stories are so personal to me, I shy away from sharing them with the world. 

Anyway... I dropped by today to plug some books of some friends of mine. No, I'm not being mercenary. It just happened to be on my mind. I'm writing a Civil War book myself (about some things that happened in Murray County, Georgia, during the war). My draft is finally in pretty good shape. I'm working on it daily now, and have sent a couple of them out for people to proof.

I called a friend to ask her about her personal experience with self publishing ~ whether there were any scary hidden expenses, and things like that. After talking to her, I felt really good. I decided to add a link from SMJ to her book and some others I've read.

So, here are some of the books written by my friends and relatives. I can recommend all of them, but for different readers, depending on tastes: Two are autobiographical poetry books (DeLoach and Bouladian); one is an artist's book on fabrics (Sibley); Two are books on history ~ two different wars: (Carter and Carter); and the other is a heartwarming true story about love and loss in wartime (King). I haven't yet read Juli's book, but I know her background ~ I can't wait to get hold of the book. I haven't yet finished Carter's book on LCTs, but am enjoying what I've read, so far.

Here are the books (with links to Amazon, where I usually buy): 

Juli Sibley - Earth Friendly Fabric: http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Friendly-Fabric-Design-Sibley/dp/1500844381

Of Young Harris, Georgia; artist, educator.

Philip DeLoach - My World As I See It: http://www.amazon.com/My-World-As-I-See/dp/1451581106/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424560072&sr=1-1

Of Mount Airy, North Carolina; formerly of Georgia. Poet, artist, dreamer, friend... 

Deborah King - Somewhere in Germany: http://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Germany-Deborah-G-King/dp/0615164269/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424560171&sr=1-5&keywords=somewhere+in+germany

Of Dalton, Georgia; niece of a soldier.

Elizabeth Bouladian - Pages from the Heart: http://www.amazon.com/Pages-Heart-Elizabeth-B-Bouladian/dp/1607914689

Poet, family near Chattanooga; originally from Lebanon.

Thomas Carter - Beachhead Normandy: An LCT's Odyssey: http://www.amazon.com/Beachhead-Normandy-An-LCTs-Odyssey/dp/1597977101

Formerly of Crandall, near Chatsworth, Georgia; son of a Navy man who was on an LCT (landing craft).

Robert L. Carter  - Longstreet's Breakthrough at Chickamauga: http://www.amazon.com/Longstreets-Breakthrough-Chickamauga-Accidental-Victory/dp/149617111X

Formerly of Chatsworth, Georgia. Volunteers at Chickamauga National Military Park.

In Town Gallery (Chattanooga)

In Town Gallery in Chattanooga has been a favorite place for me to visit over the years. I haven't been in awhile, so next time I head up to Tennessee, I think I'll stop by and see the artwork. In Town is over near Coolidge Park, riverside, on the north shore next to the carousel. It's one of the oldest artist co-op galleries in the country (established in 1974). It serves artists in Chattanooga and surrounding areas. If I didn't live so far away, I'd join up.

In Town Gallery, 26a Frazier Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee
http://www.intowngallery.com

While I'm in Chattanooga, I usually try to head over to the Hunter Museum of Art on High Street, too. The nearby Houston Museum (antique glass) is fun to visit, too.

Antiques Road Show

Antiques Road Show: Chattanooga, Tennessee ~ Oops, I almost forgot to remind everybody that tonight is the night for Antiques Roadshow to air the first of their three-week shows in Chattanooga! My sister and niece managed to get tickets, and they went to the Roadshow. They had a blast and had a few things appraised ~ they were happy with their little "treasures." None of them got to be on the show, though. We teased them and said we'd be keeping our eyes out for shots of them trying to bribe the camera man or duck under the ropes to get on TV!