Members of Tuscaloosa Writers and Illustrators Guild, in collaboration with Tuscaloosa Public Library, are offering a six-session memoir-writing course. Poet Jeff Weddle and authors Jim Ezell and Carolyn Breckinridge Ezell offered the first session in March in the library’s History Room from 2-4. Authors Walt Henley, Laura Hunter and Elizabeth Kitchens offered the April workshop. The two sessions in May included authors Sam Popkin, Carolyn Rhodes, Gary Miller, Beverly Thorn, Anne Weston, and Poet Beth Sherrill. June’s session includes authors Sharon Freeman, Sandy Hopkins and Guest Author, Michael Martone as panelists. Laura Hunter and Carolyn Breckinridge Ezell are serving as facilitators throughout. June’s session is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th in the History Room of Tuscaloosa Public Library.
Signings
| Date & Time | Author | Event & Location |
|---|---|---|
| Friday June 5th 6:00–9:00 PM |
John Ryland | Live at the Plaza Government Plaza, Tuscaloosa, AL |
| Tuesday June 9th 3:00–6:00 PM |
TK Cassidy | Tipsey Tuesday Troop Book Club Montana Club, Hot Springs, MT |
| Tuesday June 9th 6:00–8:00 PM |
TK Cassidy | "How to be an Author" Missoula Public Library, Missoula, MT |
| Thursday June 11th 3:00–5:00 PM |
TK Cassidy | Friends at Library Presentation Phillipsburg Public Library, Phillipsburg, MT |
| Saturday June 13th 12:00–4:00 PM |
Gary Miller | Barnes & Noble 1800 McFarland Blvd. E, Suite 200, Tuscaloosa, AL |
| Saturday June 13th 10:00 AM–3:00 PM |
John Ryland | Cullman Author Expo Traditions Bank Event Center, 301 1st Street SW, Cullman, AL |
| Friday June 19th 1:00–3:00 PM |
TK Cassidy | Friends of the Library Presentation Hot Springs, MT |
| Saturday June 20th 10:00 AM–4:00 PM |
TK Cassidy | Jaywalkers Jamboree – Territorial Day Festival Deer Lodge, MT |
Celebrations
- Beth Sherrill won First Place and two Honorable Mentions for her poems, “What Does It Mean to Be a Country”, “The Myth of the Wandering Goddess”, and “Countless” at the Alabama State Poetry Spring Contest.
- Beverly Thorn’s book, Before I Lose My Own Mind, Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver, was awarded First Place in the self-help category by the Independent Book Publishers Association.
- Beverly’s book also was Winner in the self-help category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and was First Runner-Up in the self-help category of the Eric Hoffer Book Award.
- Jeff Weddle’s poetry collections, Letter to Xhevaet Bajraj and The Things We Do To Protect Our Own have won medals which will be presented in August at the 2026 FAPA President’s Book Awards.
- Jeff Weddle’s poetry collection, The Things We Do To Protect Our Own, was awarded Finalist in the New Generation Indie Book Awards.
Readings and Appearances
| Date & Time | Author | Event & Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday June 25th 9:45–11:00 AM |
Laura Hunter | Facilitator for Expository Writing for Middle Schoolers 4th Annual Summer Writing and Arts Summit, Athens State University, Athens, AL |
| Thursday June 25th 2:45–3:45 PM |
Laura Hunter | Panel Discussion Athens State University, Athens, AL |
| Thursday June 25th 4:00–5:30 PM |
Laurie Fowler | "Using AI for Good" 4th Annual Summer Writing and Arts Summit, Athens State University, Athens, AL |
| Friday June 26th 2:45–3:45 PM |
Laura Hunter | Facilitator for Building Multi-Faceted Characters 4th Annual Summer Writing and Arts Summit, Athens State University, Athens, AL |
| Friday June 26th 9:45–11:00 AM |
Laurie Fowler | Art and Writing Journals 4th Annual Summer Writing and Arts Summit, Athens State University, Athens, AL |
Trailer Links and YouTube Videos
- Megan Blaney has created a YouTube channel where she reads from her works.
https://youtu.be/xGJkA-dJyyg?si=gUtiBtfr8OWkuOG1 - Sam Popkins has a trailer for his memoir, Scenes Through the Narrow Window: Personal and Professional Reflections of a Clinical Psychologist.
https://linktr.ee/sampopkin
Community Activities
- Sharon Freeman and Sandy Hopkins are the scheduled panelists for the 5th Memoir-Writing Workshop session, along with guest-panelist, Michael Martone. Laura Hunter and Carolyn Breckinridge Ezell will facilitate. The session will be held at the Tuscaloosa Public Library, Saturday, June 6th, 2:00-4:00 in the History Room.
- Jennifer Horne continues to offer Mid-Week Poetry Break on Facebook.
