Author interview - Beverly Lowry

Creative non-fiction maestra,
Beverly Lowry

I grew to like Beverly Lowry a lot in the short time I talked with her. She came to town and read from her upcoming book which dives into the still unsolved yogurt shop murders in Austin. I have not read her fiction, but her "creative non-fiction," which is really just very strong journalism, is riveting. I read some of her book on pick axe killer Karla Faye Tucker, who was put to death for her crimes, and could not put the book down. Her book about the Austin murders promises to be equally gripping.

Lowry is compadres with English profs Thomas Williams, Dagoberto Gilb and Kim Herzinger. She bragged on a small-school program who commits to bring that type of talent here to teach. Lowry was also at the University of Houston during its creative writing heyday. We purchased her biography on Harriett Tubman, which won plenty of awards and critical praise. I like her because she practices good, digging journalism. This Austin resident is a Texas treasure.

http://www.uhv.edu/car/newswire/release.asp?id=1076

Author interview - Kate Bernheimer

Kate Bernheimer, knower of all things fairy tale.

Like many people, I did a double-take when I saw one of our American Book Review speakers was an expert on fairy tales. But Kate Bernheimer is exactly that, and she put on a thoroughly enjoyable talk that showcased her extensive knowledge of the subject. The auditorium was packed, and the students stayed interested the entire time.

She was a good interview and is so enthusiastic about her subject. I mentioned that my boys were about the age where they would become interested in the Brothers Grimm or something like that, and she e-mailed me a list of five, stopping herself only because she had things to do. If you need any info on fairy tales, she is THE authority.

http://www.uhv.edu/car/newswire/release.asp?id=1057

Author interview - Rachel Eliza Griffiths

Rachel Eliza Griffiths at ABR reading. (Photo by yours truly.)

It's rare to interview someone with so many talents, but poet, painter and photographer Rachel Eliza Griffiths was a delight. She was a pleasant interview and talked about her family life, her childhood and her days of "schooling" when she first moved to New York and made the city her classroom. A beautiful, talented person.

http://www.uhv.edu/car/newswire/release.asp?id=1051