The Louisiana Book Festival is tomorrow, November 2nd, in Baton Rouge — if you’re within spitting or even shouting distance, go. It is a blast.

Pelican Bomb, newly redesigned, has a short review of the “Process” exhibition currently on view at the Antenna Gallery — well worth a visit.

I’m delighted to have a poem in The Island Review, a wonderful new magazine based out of Shetland and focusing on, well, you know. My thanks to the editors — the site is ever an inspiration.

I’m absolutely delighted to be appearing at the 3rd annual Gateway to the Delta Festival this weekend in Charleston, MS. With art, a barbecue contest, and words and music from around the state — including such legends as Cedric Burnside and Otis “TCB” Taylor, and the newly-formed drumming-and-storytelling ensemble Djaliya — it’s going to be one hell of a good time. From the description by the SonEdna Foundation, one of the festival’s sponsors:

Every hour on the hour, SonEdna will be presenting Mississippi writers who will read from their work, engage in Q&A conversations with the audience, and sign copies of their books, which will be for sale. Between readings, you can mill around the square listening to great music, tasting great food, and perusing art, jewelry, and gifts available by local artisans.

The full lineup for the literary stage is here; the full lineup for the musical stages (including a battle of the bands!) is here; and the most up-to-date information about the festival is on their Facebook page. Hope to see any and all of y’all out on the courthouse square. For those not blessed to be from Mississippi, who may be wondering what TCB means, there’s a certain native son you might want to ask…

The New Orleans Review has just published an interview with James Marriott and Mika Minio-Paluello of Platform, about their recent book The Oil Road, and their upcoming visit to New Orleans. They’ll be in town next weekend, Thursday and Friday nights, with appearances at Maple Street Book Shop and Loyola University. More details are on the NOR site and Platform. From the interview:

James Marriott: I’m a firm believer that part of the way change comes is by making the world encompassable in stories.