John Warner Smith, Dennis Paul Williams celebrate release of new book tonight in Grand Coteau

The Festival of Words will host an evening of poetry and an open mic at 7 p.m. tonight, which will also serve as the book release celebration of “Spirits of the Gods,” a collaboration between poet John Warner Smith and artist Dennis Paul Williams. The event will be held at Chicory's Coffee and Cafe in Grand Coteau.

The book is Smith’s third collection of poetry. His poems have appeared in numerous literary journals and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and for the Sundress Best of the Net Anthology. Smith earned his MFA in Creative Writing at the UNO and is a three-time participant of the Callaloo Creative Writing Workshops and a Fellow of Cave Canem.

Williams is perhaps most recognizable as the guitarist for Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. His artwork, which has been shown worldwide, is represented by Stella Jones Gallery in New Orleans and Zari Gallery in London. Williams has been featured on Nightline with Ted Koppell, as well as on World Café and American Routes on National Public Radio.

For more information call Patrice Melnick at (337) 254-9695 or email festivalwords@gmail.com or click here.

Louisiana Book News is written by journalist Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and paranormal mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. The first books in her award-winning series are FREE as ebooks! For more information and to sign up for her newsletter visit www.cherieclaire.net.