PRESS RELEASE:
Joshilyn Jackson, the beloved author of gods in Alabama, Backseat Saints, and Someone Else’s Love Story, is coming to Asheville to discuss her new novel, The Opposite of Everyone. To our delight, she will discuss the book and her writing with longtime friend Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants! These two New York Times bestselling authors have been in a critique group for many years. This event will offer a unique opportunity to hear them discuss their work, friendship, and how they’ve built their writing community.
“The Opposite of Everyone is so fast-paced, smart, and witty that it’s tempting to rush to the end. Don’t. Careful readers will be rewarded by the intricate strata of stories–both real and mythical–that build in artful layers, playing off and enriching each other. Jackson draws from both rural Alabama folklore and the god stories of ancient India, weaving these narratives flawlessly toward a crescendo that is straight out of an O’Connor tale–inevitable, surprising, and beautifully true in every sense of the word.”—Sara Gruen
Jackson is also the author of Between, Georgia, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, and A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty. She is often praised for her “feisty, big-hearted voice” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) and her blend of humor and deep understanding for her characters and their complexity as humans. Those who have met her also know that she is both hilarious and gracious in person. A former actor, she is also a wonderful reader and has received an Audie Award for her work narrating the audio versions of her books.
Gruen is the author of five novels, the latest of which is At the Water’s Edge, called an “utterly winning story” by the Miami Herald. Water for Elephants has been a successful Hollywood film and is being adapted as a musical for the stage. It has been translated into dozens of languages and sold around the world.
The event will include a reception with refreshments provided by Ingles. Tickets are $10 and include a coupon for $5 off The Opposite of Everyone and 10% off At the Water’s Edge.
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