Book Notes

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: June 22, 2008

James River prepares for annual conference

Authors, screenwriters, agents and editors will be in Richmond on Oct. 10 and 11 for the sixth annual James River Writers’ Conference at the Library of Virginia.

Among the speakers who already have been lined up to appear are David Baldacci, Adriana Trigiani, Diane Mott Davidson, Claudia Emerson, Kate Jacobs, Kirk Ellis, Shannon Ravenel, and Chuck Adams.

Baldacci’s latest novel, “The Whole Truth,” has been on the New York Times bestseller list for multiple weeks. A frequent visitor to Charlottesville, Baldacci graduated from the University of Virginia.

Jacobs’ “The Friday Night Knitting Club” is still on the New York Times paperback bestseller list and is being made into a movie starring Julia Roberts.

Emerson’s “Late Wife” won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for poetry.

Trigiani is best known for her Big Stone Gap series.

Davidson’s culinary mysteries regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

Ellis wrote the screenplay for David McCullough’s “John Adams,” which recently aired on HBO.

Algonquin editor Ravenel, well known in Southern literary circles, will be attending with fellow Algonquin editor Adams.

The two-day writers’ conference focuses on the art and business of writing. Attendees will meet one-on-one with literary agents, and to learn from published writers and editors during sessions on genres from history, mystery, poetry and food to cross-genre panels on crafting dialogue and plot, researching, and breaking into print.

Registration is $140 until Sept. 1, and $155 after Sept. 1.

For more information, go to jamesriverwriters.com or call (804) 230-4575.

Ruth Perkinson returns with reading, signing

Ruth Perkinson will be reading from and discussing her new book, “Breaking Spirit Ridge,” at 6 p.m. Friday at Barnes and Noble.

In her third book, Perkinson turns to visit Piper Leigh Cliff, who is fresh out of high school and on a full scholarship to play collegiate basketball at the University of Virginia.

Cliff returns to her childhood home in Virginia, only to find old demons still linger.

A native of Richmond, Perkinson taught English in the Virginia public school system for nearly 10 years.

For more details, call 984-6598.

Get on board and select first book for new group

A new book group soon will be meeting at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library

Beginning Sept. 18 the Third Thursday Book Group will meet at noon at the Central Library to discuss fiction and non-fiction books. Bring your lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided.

Library staff will lead the discussion. Sign up to be added to the email list:

You can vote online for the first book to be discussed at jmrl.org/br-central.htm.

In other book club news, the Brown Bag Book Club will meet at noon Monday at the Nelson Memorial Library to discuss “Carpe Diem” by Autumn Cornwell.

Call 979-7151 Ext. 211.

From staff reports