David Baldacci. Nevada Barr. Billie Letts. If you're an avid reader, you've probably delved into the fictional worlds created by these
diverse, talented authors. Books-A-Million will present all three Southern scribes, who will
discuss their works during the Fourth Annual Writers' Winter Weekend at the Inn on Biltmore
Estate. The inn will host the February 4 through 6 event in Asheville, North Carolina.
A former attorney, Baldacci's suspenseful thrillers have won best-seller status, awards, and
a film deal (Absolute Power, starring Clint Eastwood). In addition, the Virginia author has
penned Wish You Well, a coming-of-age novel, along with The Christmas Train, a holiday tale.
Warner Books just released Baldacci's latest thriller, Hour Game.
Barr, a former National Park Service ranger, transformed her real-life work into award-winning
mysteries, featuring heroine Anna Pigeon. Anna's work takes the character to different park
settings across the country. Some of the titles in the prolific series, published by Penguin
Putnam, include the first book, Track of the Cat, and, more recently, Deep South,
Blood Lure, and Barr's latest, High Country. The author also recently penned a spiritual
memoir, Seeking Enlightenment...Hat by Hat: A Skeptic's Guide to Religion. She makes her home in Mississippi.
Letts's debut novel, Where the Heart Is (Warner Books), performed the grand slam of literary
feats: #1 on the New York Times best-seller list; selection in Oprah's Book Club; and a feature
film deal, starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd. The author followed this with the
award-winning The Honk and Holler Opening Soon, which was chosen as the inaugural book for the
Oklahoma Reads Oklahoma program. Warner recently released Letts's latest novel, Shoot the Moon.
She lives in Oklahoma.
The Writers' Winter Weekend includes two nights accomodations at the inn; breakfast buffets;
a wine-tasting reception; tours of the Biltmore House, gardens, and winery; author presentations;
and a tea reception. For more information call 1-888-865-7788.
This article is from the January 2005 issue of Southern Living.
