The prestigious statewide Georgia Literary Festival has chosen to honor the late poet/novelist Byron Herbert Reece in the quaint Appalachian mountain town of Blue Ridge, Ga. September 28 – 30, and Georgia Public Broadcasting will be there to help celebrate with Curious George and giveaways for children.

The Georgia Literary Festival is designed to celebrate and highlight the work of notable Georgia authors at a location near their birthplace. This year's honoree, Byron Herbert Reece, was born near Blairsville, Ga. Reece's many works include his first volume of poetry titled Ballad of the Bones (1945) and his Pulitzer Prize nominated work for Bow Down in Jericho (1950).

The keynote speaker for this event is Former Georgia Secretary of State and current Young Harris College president, Cathy Cox. Additional honored guests include the award winning author Phillip Lee Williams (A Distant Flame, Blue Crystal, and the Heart of a Distant Forest), Dr. Bettie Sellers, a renown Reece expert as displayed in The Bitter Berry: The Life of Byron Herbert Reece, as well as a wide variety of speakers such as Helen Lewis, Amy Blackmarr, Doris Davenport, Dana Wildsmith, Joe Dabney, Ethelene Jones and many more.

This impressive list of presenters is only one part of the excitement surrounding the 2007 Georgia Literary Festival. The downtown park will be filled with activities for the whole family including storytellers, marionette shows, and lots of good food. There will be Granny storytellers and "hands on" traditional musical instruments displayed including the banjo and dulcimer. Attendees will be able to hear their favorite authors speak or attend a panel discussion exploring the people and history of the North Georgia Appalachian Mountains. String Bands will provide a genuine Appalachian feel as they perform throughout the event.

Visit the Georgia Literary Festival website at Georgia Literary Festival for more information, schedules, and last minute updates.

You may also contact Carol Veatch at cveatch@gpb.org for more information.