Welcome everyone for this stop on Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle Blog Tour! (click link to see other stops along this tour)I would like to welcome Ms. Byrd to my blog and hope you find her as delightful as I have. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask them below in my comment section! First I would like to share what I thought of the book.
REVIEW
This book is full of charming Southern stories that Ms. Byrd has experienced and found amusing. I did laugh many times throughout the many short stories of southern hospitality and manners. It is a perfect book for a quiet Sunday afternoon at home. I felt like I was sitting down across from Ms. Byrd and having coffees with her while she chats away about her life. Funny and entertaining and will have you wishing she would have added more. I have a feeling that she has just scraped the top and there is so much more that can be told.
Ms. Byrd was gracious enough to answer some questions today and also she gave me an extra signed copy of Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle to giveaway today!
INTERVIEW
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? A. I was born and bred in Panama City, Florida, on the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle. My grandfather, Wyatt Oates Byrd, moved to Panama City in 1930 so I am called Old South. I am a former elementary school teacher and was a stay-at-home mom for my two children, Tommy Jr. and Elizabeth. My husband, Tommy, and I still reside in Panama City.
Q. Can you tell us about your book?
A. Miss Hildreth Wore Brown is forty-one humorous, satirical anecdotes of a romp through Southern life. I like to call it real-life fiction as all the people, places and events are real, but like all good Southern stories exaggeration and embellishment have been added. The stories are punctuated with everyday mishaps that Southerners seem to have a knack for turning into entertainment. Because they are actual occurrences, the reader is drawn into the warmth and familiarity of the characters and their stories.
Q. What was your favorite part of the writing process of this book?
A. Being raised by a Southern father and grandmother of great wit, humor flowed as freely as water from a faucet in our household. When I finally put pen to paper, the stories poured forth as though an age-old tap had been discovered and turned on. I loved the gush of warm and euphoric remembrances and seeing these memories transposed into the written word.
Q. What is coming up next for you?
A. Though I do have some ideas bouncing around in my head, my main focus right now is marketing Miss Hildreth.
Q. What is the most interesting comment you have received so far concerning Miss Hildreth Wore Brown?
A. I think most authors will tell you the best part is the interaction with your readers. Life really can be funnier than fiction especially in the South and my readers have delighted me with so many hilarious stories. My funniest comment came from Bill Duncan, a reviewer for the The News-Review in Roseburg, Oregon. The title of the review was “If you accidentally cross into Alabama, have clean underwear.” That could actually be the title of a book! Another of my favorite comments came from a reader who wrote, “I will reread your book many times and laugh and laugh. Thank you for shedding light on ‘Southern Girls.’ I am proud to say I belong to the club.”
Q. What has been the best advice you have ever been given?
A. Write what you know. I knew humor and I knew the South, so writing these stories down that I have been surrounded by my whole life was a treat.
Q. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
A. There are no shortcuts and no replacement for hard work. The publishing business is extremely tough and competitive. Grow a thick skin and develop tenacity. If you believe in your writing, do not give up.
Q. Do you have any pet peeves you want to share?
A. Not really. I wish I had more hours in the day. Marketing a book is hard work and time-consuming. I do speaking engagements and my audiences have been wonderful and gracious. I am on blog tour now with you, Kelsey, and bloggers are some of my favorite people. They have been so supportive!
Q. When you aren’t writing, what do you like to do?
A. I have a fetish for movies. I read as much as possible and I travel every opportunity I get.
Q. Who are some of your favorite authors?
A. My most loved book is A Tale of Two Cities—I love all of Charles Dickens’ work. My other favorite English author is Daphne du Maurier. William Faulkner, Taylor Caldwell, and John Steinbeck are all favorites. Pat Conroy is my favorite modern day author. The Prince of Tides is one of my favorite books. I have read and loved all of Pat Conroy’s books. He is a master of words and descriptions. You can sense and feel his settings and his characters become a part of you. Anne Rivers Siddons has especially strong women characters. As a Southern humorist, Fannie Flagg can not be beat.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
(from author's website)
Born and bred in the South, Olivia deBelle Byrd, is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and a Kappa Delta. Olivia is the third generation of her family to call Panama City, Florida, home. She and her husband, Tommy, are the proud parents of Tommy Jr. and Elizabeth.
WHERE TO FIND AUTHOR
PURCHASE BOOK
GIVEAWAY
And now for the giveaway! Please read my giveaway rules HERE and below. I have one signed copy of Miss Hildreth Wore Brown—Anecdotes of a Southern Belle.
GIVEAWAY RULES- This contest is open for US/CA only.
- You do not have to be a follower but it is much appreciated and earns you an extra entry
- Please complete the form below - comments are nice but they will not count.
- EXTRA ENTRIES:+1 for being a follower
- The contest will end on April 30, 2011 at 11:59PM CT; 1 winner will be selected and contacted thereafter.
- Once the winner is contacted, they will have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen (make sure to check your spam folder!).
- Books will be shipped by me.
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