Not to be missed: Tim Gautreaux's short story, "Idols," in this week's New Yorker. Hear the echoes--sense the smirk-- of Flannery O'Connor-- in Gautreaux's darkly comic, southern gothic tale.

"The lawn was a weave of waist-high weeds and fallen limbs punctuated by the otherworldy pink domes of thistle blooms..."

Otherworldy. Pretty much a perfect description of thistle.


Today's SECRET KEEPERS Bootylicious Booktour Blogstop is over at Misadventures with Andi. Here's an excerpt from the interview:

[MWA] If you got your one whiff of a secret keeper, what do you think it would be?

[MF] Oh, that's a good question. For me a whiff of a secret keeper would smell like...[continue reading]

More "Boot" Tour

The Bootylicious Booktour is carrying on in the physical and virtual realm. Sounds sort of like science fiction, maybe, but it's all down to earth.

Today, Jillian Clemmons interviews me on her blog, a "librarian-turned-writer's take on contemporary female fiction." First question:

1. What advice would you give to aspiring authors about learning the craft? And what books, mentors, or classes have helped you the most?

I started out writing mostly on weekends. Read more...

As for the physical realm: The boot planter, above, is now at Blue Bicycle Books in Charleston.


Here's a photo of me with the owner, Jonathan Sanchez (who is also a prize-winning writer). It looks like we're standing in front of a sign that says, MIND. But it really spelled MINDY. But I kind of like the idea of the MIND sign.


Tomorrow: more Bootylicious photos from the physical realm-- Litchfield Books. Their movable author feast was absolutely sumptuous.

On Zen donkeys and bookstores

Scroll on down to see a picture of a zen donkey.
I'm heading to the Queen City tomorrow, boot planter in tow, where I'll be signing books at Park Road Books: Tuesday May 26, 6:30 pm, Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte, NC 28209, Tel: 704-525-9239 Park Road Books

And, as promised, here are a few pictures from last week's Bootylicious Boot Tour stop at McIntyre's Fine Books mcintyresbooks.com, in Fearington Village, near Pittsboro, NC. It used to be a dairy farm, and now it's a community and village. What I love--besides McIntyre's, which is an excellent bookstore that always has a crowd for readings--are the belted cows and this... zen donkey. Sunbathing in the mud, here, have you ever seen a more content creature, dwelling in the now?

Scenes from the Bootylicious Booktour

I've got so many sole-ful experiences and photos to share from the ongoing Bootylicious Booktour, it's hard to know where to start. I know, I know. The longest journey begins with one step. One boot at a time.

So, from my visit to Quail Ridge Books--one of the most dedicated bookstores around-- in Raleigh last week, a few pics. I gave the bookstore a boot planter, pictured here, with succulents and a plant called "Jamaican Rope."

And speaking of cool names...While in Raleigh, I stayed a hotel called The Velvet Cloak. Named after the chivalrous Sir Walter of course, but it just sounded deliciously euphemistic. I'll meet you tonight at the Velvet Cloak-- that's the kind of text msg or tweet that might get you in trouble. Come to think of it, it's also the perfect name for some gorgeous dark rose.

Don't want to clog up the bandwidth, so I'll post just a few pictures every day. Tomorrow-- McIntyre's Fine Books.



Quail Ridge in Raleigh