Darden North, MD

August 18, 2018, marked the fourth annual Mississippi Book Festival, an expanding and highly energetic literary lawn party gracing the beautiful, oak – draped grounds and surrounding buildings of the historic Mississippi State Capitol in downtown Jackson. The first two years of the festival, I worked as a volunteer in the Author Panelist room, having the opportunity to meet the visiting authors as well as local writers scheduled to present. In 2017 and again this year, I joined other writers outside in the Authors Alley tent on Mississippi Street, bordering the south lawn of the Capitol. This was an amazing opportunity to visit with many of my readers and to meet many new ones. Lots of signed books were discussed and placed in the hands of readers that Saturday in Authors Alley. Mid-August weather in Mississippi with its 90+ degree humidity will never dampen literary spirits, and fortunately we escaped the forecasted downpour! Thank you to Holly Lange and the other organizers and suppo