Tom Franklin and
Laura Lippman were in good company on
Wednesday as they read from their newly released novels. The packed crowd at
Off Square Books stood in line to get their books signed before the two authors
took turns reading.
Some of
Oxford’s finest were in attendance to celebrate hometown writer, teacher, colleague, and friend, Tom Franklin, and
to meet his friend and fellow writer,
Laura Lippman, here with her new novel,
I’d Know You Anywhere.
The overflow crowd served as a testament to the sustaining
energy and quality of the Oxford literary scene. Those in attendance were some of Oxford’s finest,
including fellow-writers Curtis Wilkie, Jack Pendarvis, Ann Fisher Wirth, Ace
Atkins, Lee Durkee, Neil White, John T. Edge, John Brandon, Jesmyn Ward, and
Tom’s wife, the poet, Beth Ann Fennelly. Also in the crowd was Laura’s husband,
David Simon, creator of The Wire and Treme on HBO, with their new baby—in a
turquoise tutu. The Ole Miss English Department was represented by several faculty
members and Chairman Ivo Kamps, and lots of students, MFAers and
otherwise. Also present was the
University’s number one reader, Chancellor Dan Jones.
The crowd was not simply big. It had a very friendly, pleasant buzz about it, as if all
recognized the happy anticipation of reading a very good book and the achievment of writing it--by a guy we like.
To see photos and listen to the readings from the event please click read more.
Howard Norman read from his latest novel, 
If you weren't able to be at Off Square Books for John Brandon's reading on July 14, no worries, you can now listen to it right here. John read from his excellent new novel, 
