Things were different for the Mississippi Book Festival’s sixth edition. We never dreamed that the 2020 literary lawn party would become a “virtual” event but, with a pandemic raging, that’s where we landed. With generous funders and some of our favorite authors, we served up lively and informative conversations online. We began with celebrated panelists Ron Rash (In the Valley), Natasha Trethewey (Memorial Drive), Wayètu Moore (The Dragons, The Giant, The Women), Nic Stone (Dear Justice) and Michael Farris Smith (The Fighter). Later we featured Richard Grant (The Deepest South of All), Tiffany McDaniel (Betty), John Marszalek (Coming Out of the Magnolia Closet) and Cassandra King Conroy (Tell Me a Story). These and more virtual panelists explored a range of subjects through new books and writings in our first ever Virtual 2020 Festival.
We’ve been busy recording! Here’s a quicklist of panels, panelists and community engagement experiences in videos and podcasts. Clicking items in this list conveniently “jumps” you to the place lower on this page where you can watch or listen to recordings.
Scroll down. Pick a panel. Click on the “+” to watch and listen.
Welcome Message from our Executive Director
We are extremely grateful for your interest in the Mississippi Book Festival and hope you will enjoy our virtual 2020 offerings. As we look forward to hosting everyone next year in person at our 7th annual celebration of authors and readers, on August 21, 2021, we wish you well and happy reading!
— Holly Lange, Executive Director
75th Anniversary of Richard Wright’s Black Boy
On the 75th publication anniversary of Richard Wright’s Black Boy, C. Liegh McInnis, Kiese Laymon, and Charlie Braxton reflect on the importance of this monumental literary work.
A Conversation with Angie Thomas & Nic Stone
Authors Angie Thomas and Nic Stone share a conversation with Tonja Murphy about life, writing, and navigating new norms in the midst of a global pandemic.
A Conversation with Brittney Morris
Brittney Morris is joined by Dr. Ebony Lumumba to discuss her hit debut YA novel, Slay.
A Conversation with Cassandra King Conroy
Award-winning author, Cassandra King Conroy, shares a conversation with Mississippi native and author, Matthew Guinn, on Conroy’s newest book Tell Me A Story. Cassandra shares about life with her late husband and acclaimed author, Pat Conroy. Join these two Pat Conroy loving, Southern novelists for a podcast on Write On, Mississippi!
A Conversation with Dr. Nancy Bristow
Dr. Nancy Bristow joins C. Liegh McInnis in conversation about her new book, Steeped in the Blood of Racism.
A Conversation with Elliot Ackerman
Presented in partnership with Lemuria Bookstore of Jackson, MS
Elliot Ackerman joins Ellen Daniels in conversation about his new novel, Red Dress in Black and White.
A Conversation with Gilbert Ford
Presented in partnership with Lemuria Bookstore of Jackson, MS
Gilbert Ford joins Ellen Daniels in conversation about his new middle grade book, The Mysterious Messenger.
A Conversation with John F. Marszalek III
Join Mississippian John F. Marszalek III and New Orleans transplant, Robert “Bobby” W. Fieseler as they discuss John’s new book, Coming Out of the Magnolia Closet: Same Sex Couples in Mississippi and Queer culture in the South.
A Conversation with Michael Farris Smith
Michael Farris Smith is joined by friend, P.J. Lee to discuss his newest novel, Blackwood.
A Conversation with Natasha Trethewey
Presented in partnership with Lemuria Bookstore of Jackson, MS
Natasha Trethewey joins Kiese Laymon in conversation about her new memoir, Memorial Drive.
A Conversation with Richard Grant and Martha Hall Foose
Pull up a chair to the fun table as two friends, Richard Grant and Martha Hall Foose, join Ellen Daniels in a conversation about Mississippi, Southern food, and wild dinner parties.
A Conversation with Ron Rash
Presented in partnership with Lemuria Bookstore of Jackson, MS
Ron Rash shares a conversation with Ellen Daniels about his newest short story collection, In The Valley.
A Conversation with Roy DeBerry
The Hill Country Project Director, Roy DeBerry is joined in conversation by Two Mississippi Museums Director, Pamela Junior to discuss his new book, Voices from the Mississippi Hill Country.
A Conversation with Tiffany McDaniel
Presented in partnership with Lemuria Bookstore of Jackson, MS
Tune in for a fun and sometimes emotional conversation between Hillary Taylor of Lemuria Bookstore, Ellen Daniels and Tiffany McDaniel. They discuss McDaniel’s new, sophomore novel, Betty, familial connections, and changes in the publishing world.
A Conversation with Wayètu Moore
Wayètu Moore joins Dr. Ebony Lumumba in conversation about her new memoir, The Dragons, The Giant, The Women.
Page to Screen
Mississippi Film Office Director, Nina Parikh, leads a conversation between author, Michael Farris Smith, and film makers, Graham & Parker Phillips to discuss adapting Smith’s book, The Fighter, to film.
Reader Feature: Librarian Edition #1
Join Tonja Murphy for an interesting conversation with Hinds Community College Librarian, John Sanders. John shares a conversation about his role as a serial and reference librarian, and how he’s navigating engagement with students.
Reader Feature: Librarian Edition #2
Join Tonja Murphy for a lively conversation with JPS Librarian, Bruce Golden. Bruce shares his role as a “guy brarian”, the top book series for elementary and middle school students, and why he’s made a point of choosing e-books.
Reader Feature: Reviewer Edition #1
Join Tonja Murphy as she discusses books with the incredible force behind the Bookstagram account @ablackmanreading. Jerid shares how he fell in love with reading, followed his reading muse to share personal experiences with books, and his new venture with Real Dad’s Network to bring sons, dads, and books together.
Reader Feature: Student Edition #2
Tonja Murphy interviews student Calvin Davis about what he is currently reading this summer.
Reader Feature: Student Edition #4
Tonja Murphy interviews student Katie Partridge about what she is currently reading this summer.
Reader Feature: Student Edition #5
Tonja Murphy interviews student Asher Hardin about what he is currently reading this summer.
Reader Feature: Student Edition #6
Tonja Murphy interviews student Jeremiah Hardin about what he is currently reading this summer.
Southern Fried Futures
Join three giants in the world of Afrofuturist comics in this compelling conversation between two Mississippi natives, Tim Fielder and John Jennings, along with University Press of MIssissippi contributing writer, Donna-lyn Washington.
Uncomfortable: Episode 1
Holly Lange, Executive Director of the Mississippi Book Festival, visits with Dr. Ebony Lumumba, First Lady of Jackson, Tougaloo College Associate Professor of English, and Festival Board member, about racism, anti-racism and how we can create positive change.
In a conversation that kicks off the new podcast series “Uncomfortable,” Ebony and Holly talk about books, articles and resources for all ages. The series will feature many of these works by contemporary writers, sharing their experiences, thoughts, and hope for the future.
Uncomfortable: Episode 2
In Episode 2 of “Uncomfortable”, Holly Lange and Dr. Ebony Lumumba discuss more in depth a few books discussed in Episode 1. Some of the titles discussed are Toni Morrison’s Playing in the Dark, Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow, Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, and more!