Quick Media Interview Talking Points

Quick Talking Points for a media interview or intro:

Are you Southern or just wish you were? If you're one of Atlanta's many newcomers from other parts of the country and the world, the down-home southern authors of Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes are available to give you some clues on what makes someone a Southerner with a Southern family.

One hint? Iced tea without sugar is like a cat without a purr. Just plain unnatural. If you have to put artificial sweetener in your tea, don't let on.

Another? You've got to honor your grandpa's garden no matter where you put down your own roots.

One more? Don't hide your oddball relatives. They're fun at funerals, weddings, and family feuds. Besides, they may be trying to hide you!

Sweet Tea And Jesus Shoes is a collection of sweet, funny stories about "growing up southern." The six southern women authors include longtime Marietta resident Sandra Chastain, Atlanta playwright Nancy Knight, and sixth-generation Atlanta native Deborah Smith. Sandra and Deborah are nationally bestselling novelists with more than sixty books between them for major publishers. Other writers in the collection include former Atlanta Falcons team photographer Virginia Ellis, who now lives in Maryland.

Sandra, Nancy, and Deborah are available for interview. All are personable, accomplished speakers. Most recently they were interviewed on a network affiliate in Washington, D.C. during the national Romance Writers of America conference. Each has served as president of Georgia Romance Writers. All have interview experience in print, radio, and TV, including the Atlanta Journal/Constitution, ATLANTA Magazine, and the Steve and Vicki Star 94 Morning Show.

How did these successful writers go from penning tales of hot love to tales of hot grits? They say it's all in the right mix of moonlight and magnolias. They can serve up a comfortable chat about southern romance, family life, and humor.

Other talking points:

Sweet Tea And Jesus Shoes is the first book published by the authors' own small press, BelleBooks--a partnership of six successful women writers from all over the south.

Fans of Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes include former Miss America Phyllis George, Ladybird Johnson's former press secretary, Liz Carpenter, and Barbara Dooley, wife of legendary UGA Coach Vince Dooley. All have given the book glowing endorsements. BelleBooks' next project is Mossy Creek, the first book in a warm-hearted series about a north Georgia community where the town motto is "Ain't going no where--and don't want to." Inspired by popular, colorful Georgia towns such as Dahlonega and Clayton.

Deborah Smith's 1997 novel, A Place To Call Home, reached No. 20 on the New York Times Bestseller List. She is represented by the same literary agent who represents favorite Atlanta author Anne Rivers Siddon. She made news last year with a $1.2 million book contract. Her next hardcover novel, On Bear Mountain, (Little, Brown & Company) is set in Atlanta and north Georgia.

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