Conversations recognizes author Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Conversations Book Club President Cyrus A. Webb is pleased to announce that this week's review that appears in the Clarion Ledger Newspaper (Rankin Ledger Insert) is of author Patricia Neely-Dorsey's book Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia.

(Read the review here: http://www.rankinledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090103/LIFE/901030305/1003)

 

Author Patricia Neely-Dorsey also sat down for a "Take Ten" Interview with Conversations about herself and her book. Read an excerpt below:

 

In 2009 many new literary voices will be joining the growing coalition of published authors. One such individual is Patricia Neely-Dorsey. Her book Refections of a Mississippi Magnolia was released in 2008 to glowing reviews, and she will be spending her time getting it out to the world in the coming months while writing on her next project. Patricia took out time recently to talk with Conversations about her beginnings as a writer, the book and what keeps her going. Here is our conversation.

Happy New Year to you, Patricia, and thank you for taking out time to participate in Conversations' "Take Ten". Before we talk about your book Reflections of A Mississippi Magnolia I want you to talk about you. How would you describe yourself and your evolution over the years?
Happy New Year to you, Cyrus, and Thank You for this wonderful opportunity to share with you about my book. In answer to your question, I would say that I have always thought of myself as very interesting and unique. On all of the questionnaires that I ever filled out since I was in grade school, I always described myself as that. Everyone also tells me that I am very funny.. so I guess I am that , too. People are always commenting on how funny some of my poems are. Evolution? Although ,I felt that I really knew myself inside and out and that everything was pretty much set with me, I think a real evolution began in me and with me when I turned 40. All of a sudden, it seemed that I just had all of these new revelations about myself and the world around me. It was like a new lease on life. The forties have truly been fabulous. and very eye-opening thus far. I feel that I know myself so much better and that I am so much more comfortable in the skin I'm in.

Growing up, I believe everyone has a dream about what they see themselves doing. For you how would were you answering the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
As far as what I dreamed of and wanted to be when I grew up , I never really had a realistic, concrete idea of that. In grade school, my idol was Beverly Johnson, one of the first black "supermodels", so naturally I wanted to be a supermodel …but being 5'6 (not quite tall enough) and living in Tupelo, MS. I started to realize that probably wouldn't happen ...But, then again, Elvis Presley came from Tupelo…so anything is possible (LOL). Obama validated that for all of us.

 

To read the entire interview with the author click here: http://authorstaketen.blogspot.com/2009/01/take-ten-author-patricia-neely-dorsey.html

____________________________________________________________
Click to make millions by owning your own franchise.

Sat. Nov. 29, 2008: RCAA Member holds closing ceremony in Pearl, MS

Fri. Oct. 17: Rankin County Arts Alliance Announcements

 The Rankin County Arts Alliance is pleased to give you these announcements as you prepare for your weekend.

• MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2008: The Rankin County Arts Alliance is pleased to announce that its next public meeting will be on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 6p.m. at the Subway Restaurant in Pearl, MS (3000 HWY 80E). During this meeting the new 2008-2009 directories will be distributed to current members as well as to those who join the alliance. The website for the alliance has been relaunched as http://www.rankincountyarts.org. RCAA President will talk about his new campaign to work with schools in the Rankin County area as well as announce new partners with the alliance. Those interested in having their questions answered about the alliance's direction heading into the new year are welcome to attend. Annual membership dues for the RCAA are $20 for adults and $10 for those 18 and under. For more information contact Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616 or cawebb4@juno.com.
• ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS SOUGHT: Grace Baptist Church, 1013 Hwy. 471 in Brandon, will hold an Arts & Crafts Fair on Nov. 8. Vendor spaces are available for $20. Those interested should call the church at (601) 824-7334.
• RCAA Member Mary Ann Galle art display Oct-Nov. 2008: We are pleased to remind you that RCAA member Mary Ann Galle will be displaying artwork at the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS during the months of October and November 2008. Make sure to visit the large conference room and see some of her beautiful work. For library hours, call 601.932.2562.

Have announcements you want others to know about? Send them to cawebb4@juno.com!

 

RCAA Meeting---- Monday, October 20, 2008

The Rankin County Arts Alliance is pleased to announce that its next public meeting will be on Monday, October 20, 2008 at 6p.m. at the Subway Restaurant in Pearl, MS (3000 HWY 80E).

During this meeting the new 2008-2009 directories will be distributed to current members as well as to those who join the alliance. The website for the alliance will be relaunched on October 1, 2008 from http://rankincountyarts.blogspot.com to http://www.rankincountyarts.com. RCAA President will talk about his new campaign to work with schools in the Rankin County area as well as announce new partners with the alliance.

Those interested in having their questions answered about the alliance's direction heading into the new year are welcome to attend. Annual membership dues for the RCAA are $20 for adults and $10 for those 18 and under.

 

For more information contact Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616 or cawebb4@juno.com.

Former Governor William Winter's book "The Measure of Our Days" selected as Sept. 2008 book of the month

The "Nonfiction Conversations" Book Club in Mississippi has chosen the book "The Measure of our Days" by former Governor William Winter to be discussed during September 2008 as their book of the month.
(NOTE: A review of the book appeared in the Rankin Ledger on Sat. September 6, 2008. Read it here: http://www.rankinledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/LIFE/809060305/1003)

The public is invited to the meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the Pearl Public Library (Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS) beginning at 6p.m. Whether you have read the book or not, you are encouraged to attend. Moderated by book club President Cyrus A. Webb, they will discuss how Winter's speeches and writings foreshadowed the current political scene that we now find ourselves in.

Admission free. Light refreshments will be provided by the book club. For more information, contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. Information about the book club can be found at http://www.thebestbookclub.info.

TAKE TEN: Our interview with Bestselling author Andrew M. Greeley

When it comes to discussing international bestselling authors today, it is impossible not to include Father Andrew M. Greeley. He has produced over 50 bestselling novels over the past few decades, and I have had the pleasure to read and enjoy 15 of them myself. His tales of the lives of those who devote themselves to the service of the church have sparked dialogue and controversy almost from the beginning of his career. But there has been a positive side to his career and success as well. When talking about Greeley, Reverend Ron Rolheiser said this: "Nobody has ever left the church because of an Andrew Greeley novel, but many have been attracted back to it by him." Why is that, you might ask? Read this exclusive interview to find out.--- Cyrus A. Webb, Conversations Book Club
Father Greeley, we appreciate your taking out the time to talk with TAKE TEN today. Having enjoyed numerous bestselling novels and praise from around the world for the stories you create, do you see your writing career as an extension of your ministry?
Not so much an extension as an essential part of my ministry.

When did you know that you were such a gifted storyteller? Did you come from a family of readers?
I don't know that I'm a gifted story teller. I must leave that to others like yourself to judge. Both my parents read and both like to tell stories.

I have been curious for sometime about was there any one individual along your literary journey that inspired you to write and then seek to be published. Can you share with us what led to your submitting your first written work?
The late Bernard Geiss, a "packager" of novels, urged me to write a story about two young men who grew up to be priests. The Cardinal Sins emerged from that suggestion.

 

To read the entire interview, visit this link: http://authorstaketen.blogspot.com/2008/08/take-ten-with-international-bestselling.html

Conversations Book Club reviews "The Prayer Chest" by August Gold and Joel Fotinos

Conversations Book Club is pleased to announce that this week's book review is "The Prayer Chest" by bestselling authors August Gold and Joel Fotinos. The book was also chosen by the award-winning book club as one of its "Top 20 Summer Reads of 2008!"
Each week Conversations' Founder Cyrus A. Webb shares information about what he feels should be on your bookshelf. They can be found in print form every Saturday in the Clarion Ledger newspaper (Rankin Ledger insert). To read this week's review, follow this link: http://www.rankinledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080816/LIFE/808160301/1003

Enjoyed the review? Then join Conversations LIVE! radio show on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 10a.m. CST when Webb will interview both authors for the hour! They will discuss their literary partnership, the purpose of the book and take your questions! Listen to the show live online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive or call in at (347) 426-3645.

JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books! http://www.thebestbookclub.info