The JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival would like to acknowledge and express appreciation for a recent generous donation from the North Florida Writers group. Their generosity will help to fund stipends for several writers at the upcoming JaxbyJax IX to be held in Fall 2022.
Here is a partial list of NFW club members across the years. Richard Levine and Howard Denson said that some of the members have passed, but are still with us in their work and memories. Thanks to the past and present members for your support!
Renee Anduze, author of Take a Left at Tomorrow, will read and sign books from noon to 3 pm on Saturday, January 29th at Chamblin’s Uptown, 215 N. Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Anduze holds an MFA in Writing from Spalding University and a BA in English from Rollins College (summa cum laude). She has worked as a professional writer and editor for nearly 20 years—five of them at Rollins College. Her work has appeared in national magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and online. She has won several writing awards, including three Royal Palm Literary Awards. Her poetry is published in Rollins Book of Verse 1885–2010. Renée has taught and tutored upper-level English and participated in Bread Loaf and many other major workshop conferences. She is a member of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, Florida Writers Association, Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, and Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society. Find her at ReneeAnduze.com.
Here’s what folks are saying about Take a Left at Tomorrow:
Set amidst the social and political tumult of the late sixties, this novel depicts the complicated love shared by Kit Griffith and Joey Dean, two mid-western kids on the cusp of adulthood, each carrying wounds and ambitions that both propel and hobble their relationship. Renee Anduze tells their story in a well-wrought narrative, filled with beautiful language, stunning imagery, and an array of characters right out of the Sixties. If you lived through this dramatic history of our country, you will be impressed with her deft portrayal of the times. The chapter on the Woodstock Festival alone is well worth the price of admission. If you missed those times (for better or for worse), you will be wisely instructed in the challenges, paradoxes, and hopes they gave us. ~ Lezlie Laws, Ph.D.—Twelve Doors: Writing for Pleasure, Self-Expression, and Insight; TIA Journal; Shifting Gears, Editor
“A compelling love story . . . set amidst 1960s protest movements, Take a Left at Tomorrow is eye-opening and filled with powerful reminders of that turbulent, idealistic era.” —Kristen Rabe
“Take a Left at Tomorrow is an unforgettable tale. Steeped in what the heart wants, this page-turner is as wise as it is searing. In short, Renée Anduze’s debut novel dazzles.” —Connie May Fowler
“The perfect love letter the world needs today. The writing is luminous, and the characters unforgettable; the true story behind the story is heartbreakingly accurate . . . both timeless and timely, a must read for anyone who longs for a healing story about the redeeming power of love.” —Jacquelin Gorman
Alison McCarty is a librarian in Adult Programming at the Jacksonville Public Library. One of her jobs is putting together the Library’s Lit Chat series, in which they host authors for a conversation with an interviewer followed by audience Q&A, as well as our Writer’s Lab workshop series, in which they have local experts present a 1-2 hour workshop on an aspect of the writing or publishing process. They are always looking for local authors to feature, so please feel free to contact Ms. McCarty if you are interested in presenting with the library.
You won’t find two more interesting women with whom to talk books. Tricia Booker will discuss Rising and Other Stories with author Gale Massey at 6 p.m. at the Pablo Creek Library in Jacksonville, with social distanced seating and also online. Here is the link to register for the chat:
