Three new members join Tennessee Williams board

The Tennessee William/New Orleans Literary Festival welcomes three new board members:

Native New Orleanian, C. Morgan Babst studied writing at NOCCA, Yale and NYU, and her essays and short  fiction have appeared in Garden and Gun, The Oxford American, Guernica, the Harvard Review, Lenny Letter and The New Orleans Review, among others. Her debut novel, “The Floating World,” was named one of the best books of the year by Amazon and Kirkus Reviews and was a New York Times Editors’ Pick.

A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Matthew Griffin worked for several years as Assistant to the Director of Highlander Research and Education Center, a hub of grassroots organizing for social justice throughout the South and Appalachia. His first novel “Hide” was the winner of the 2017 Crook's Corner Book Prize and an ALA Stonewall Honor Book. His writing has appeared in The Guardian, Granta, Electric Literature and elsewhere. Born and raised in North Carolina, he lives with his husband in New Orleans where he teaches at Tulane University and Loyola University. 

Christy Harowski is the Chief of Staff for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board where she focuses on policy execution, government relations, strategic planning, and special projects. Prior to joining the SandWB, Christy was Director of Special Projects for the Business Council of New Orleans. Before shifting to policy work, Christy practiced law for ten years. She serves on the board of Louisiana Appleseed, is an adjunct professor teaching trial advocacy at Tulane Law School, and was recently honored as a member of Gambit’s 40 Under 40. Christy lives with her husband and three sons in New Orleans.

The full board for 2019-20 includes:

President: Peggy Scott Laborde

President-Elect: Lawrence Henry Gobble

Vice President: Sara Woodard

Secretary: Brad Richard

Treasurer: Terry Verigan

Executive Committee Members at Large: Sara Barnard, Amelia Koch, Kim Vaz-Deville

Board Members: C. Morgan Babst, Patricia Brady, Cheryllyn Branche, Beau Bratcher, Lisa D’Amour, Janet Daley Duval, Joel Fredell, Matthew Griffin, Christy Harowski, Megan Holt, David Hoover, Susie Hoskins, David Johnson, Errol Laborde, John Lawrence, Molly Mitchell, and Cathie Weinstein.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Williams to discuss 'Unique Eats' of New Orleans

Elizabeth Williams, founder of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans, will discuss her latest book, “Unique Eats and Eateries of New Orleans,” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

“There is no city in America that bases its identity on its unique cuisine more than New Orleans,” Williams said in a library press release. “The geography that gives the city access to sea and land, a history that emphasizes food and drink, and laissez-faire attitude that allows visitors and citizens alike to give way to the pleasures of the table, all culminate in an experience that can be had nowhere else on earth.”

The book contains information about some of the oldest restaurant in America, the newest avant-garde restaurant experimenting with science, places for a great drink and delicious nibbles, Cajun and Creole delicacies locals have only read about, and the traditional reasons that the city’s food has been heralded for almost three centuries. 

Liz Williams is a founder and former president and CEO of the National Food and Beverage Foundation, which includes the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, the Museum of the American Cocktail, and the Boyd Hospitality and Culinary Library. She co-authored with Stephanie Jane Carter, The Encyclopedia of Law and Food.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Hankins' latest novel is 'Louisiana Bound'

Today's guest author spotlight is Donna Hankins, who was born and raised in New Orleans, lived in Europe and several U.S. Southern states, but who now resides in Central Louisiana. Hankins loves to write paranormal, romance and mysteries with adventure. Her first novel, “Louisiana Cajun Girl,” was published in 2016 after Hankins retired from the state of Louisiana. Her recent novel, “Louisiana Bound,” hit No. 6 as an Amazon Best Seller on Mother’s Day weekend.

Here’s the book description of “Louisiana Bound:”

Sarah’s life in New York is everything she’s ever dreamed of. In a matter of weeks, though, everything she’s worked for is gone. Her cheating husband leaves, she loses her job, and unless a miracle happens, eviction from her coveted condo is next. Her miracle appears in the form of an angel, directing her to a letter that has the potential to solve her problems. In the blink of an eye, Sarah discovers an aunt she didn’t know existed has left her a house. Possessions sold and car packed, Sarah is “Louisiana Bound.” From the moment she arrives, strange things happen. Water puddles appear out of nowhere. Her bed is moved while she sleeps. Her keys and purse are never where she left them. Her handsome neighbor helps her devise a plan, and heals her heart in the meantime, but can they solve the mystery before someone dies?

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.