A! Magazine for the Arts Archive

Writers Find Creative Ways To Reach Their Readers

Mark Twain said, "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter — it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."

In This Issue

• Jennifer Estep Writes, Markets Her Books Fulltime Jennifer Estep says that she writes the books that she likes to read.
• Joe Tennis is 'Compelled to Write ... Joe Tennis also earns his living in journalism as a feature writer for the Bristol Herald Courier.
• Writing puts Craig McDonald with Like-Minded People Craig McDonald, an English professor at King College, also feels a calling to write.
• Writing was Kim Bradley's First Love Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, like Estep and Tennis, knew she wanted to write.
• Pat Jessee mixes Photography, Digital Collage Pat Jessee's approach was a little different, because her book has very few words.
• You've Written Your Book, Now What ... Until recently that meant print only. It could be a traditional publisher, a niche publishing house or self-publishing.
• Youth Spotlight: Savannah Smith Though her performing days began when she was a toddler singing into a toy microphone and putting on shows for her family and friends, at the age of 14 Savannah Smith has become a seasoned performer.
• Music Educator One of Two Tennesseans Featured in Concert in London Ann Holler, composer and senior lecturer in music for King College, along with Craig W. Combs, founder and artistic director of the Paramount Chamber Players, were recently featured in a concert in London, England.
• Introducing A! Magazine's New Writer/Art Director Upon the retirement of Angela Wampler, who led the A! Magazine team for nearly 20 years, Leslie Grace joined A! Magazine for the Arts as its new writer/art director.

A! Extra

• Working at The Paramount Events at the Paramount Center for the Arts sometimes resemble a Wills family reunion.
• Crooked Road Wants Public YOUR Input Regional tourism officials are seeking a federal designation to turn up the spotlight on Southwest Virginia's musical heritage.
• Writer Discovers Roots in Southwest Virginia Love brought Barbara Kingsolver home. During a short fellowship at Emory & Henry College, the New York Times bestselling author met Steven Hopp, an environmental science professor. Kingsolver lived in Arizona at the time, but the two formed an instant con
• Still in Love With Barter Theatre For a stretch that spans four decades, Eleanora Branham has had a love affair with the Barter Theatre.
• Look for AUGUST A! Magazine on Wednesday, AUG. 1 Expect your AUGUST A! Magazine, Wednesday, AUG. 1, 2012. And plan now to submit press releases and to advertise in the SEPTEMBER 2012 print edition of A! Magazine for the Arts.
• Review: 'Two Jews Walk Into a War' When you see this excellent production, you will doubtlessly laugh out loud through most of its single act, but it is only when you leave ... that you really begin to feel the terror.
• Comic Books Come to Life (JULY 21) Batman appeared poised to leap. Spider-Man wove a web. Captain America stood with shield in hand, intent upon saving mankind.
• Bank Morphs into Community Arts Facility The process of turning an old bank into a new community artisan center is moving forward in Glade Spring's Town Square.
• Bluegrass Won't Get Out James King called on Tuesday. The bluegrass veteran had a problem. "My tenor singer just quit on me," King said. "But oh yeah, we'll be in Greeneville, Tenn., on Saturday night."
• 'Sopranos' Star in Bristol July 12-14 "Hello?" said the Brooklyn-accented voice on the phone. "The Sopranos" character and mob hit man Vito Spatafore appeared as if in the next room. The voice belonged to amiable actor Joe Gannascoli.
• Actor Ernest Borgnine dies He was a tubby tough guy with a pug of a mug, as unlikely a big-screen star or a romantic lead as could be imagined.
• Community leader "Jerry" Goodpasture passes away Goodpasture, 59, died early Tuesday, surrounded by her family at home following a nearly year-long battle with a rare form of lung cancer. Since moving to the Twin City 35 years ago, the community leader immersed herself in a wide range of projects and ca
• A good time is contagious Jessica Nixon works by day as a pharmacist. "In my real life," Nixon said, "people call me Dr. Buchanan." That's her married name. Then by night and when possible, she sings.
• Review: 'Avenue Q' at Barter Theatre "Avenue Q," playing at Barter Stage II through Aug. 12, is one of those musical plays I can only describe as "it is what it is."
• Review: Barter Theatre I have never laughed so hard in my life as Barter Theatre's production of Red Velvet Cake Wars progressed.
• Tribute Series Heating Up in Bristol Creedence Clearwater Revival died six years before Dan McGuinness was born. Yet McGuinness helms one of America's leading CCR tribute bands, Blue Moon Swamp.
• Highlands Festival: Last Long Version This is the last year the Virginia Highlands Festival will host a 16-day event, Festival Producer Becky Caldwell said. Next year, the festival will be shortened to 10 days.
• Take a Peek at "Geoscapes" Nearly every day, Kathy Gibian teaches art. It's a love — making art and sharing it — that's been with her since her days of showing her work in the 1980s around Montgomery, Ala.
• Belief in Bristol Jerry Goodpasture embraces every moment of every hour of every day.