Ralph Ellis Author

Thanks to Jeff Minick for this review of “The Accident Report” in The Smoky Mountain News. He calls it “a perfect novel for springtime, for reading on the porch or deck, a story that will please readers looking for a well-told quest tale that will keep them engaged, bring some chuckles, and ends with justice done.” There’s no paywall so read at will.
https://tinyurl.com/7dbeyhsx

I had fun meeting readers and writers over the weekend. Thanks to Mary Boyle for buying "The Accident Report" and Quinelle Bethelmie for hosting me at her store, Books and Brews in Tucker, on Friday. At Carrollton BookFest on Saturday, I got to know author and volunteer Ken Boekhaus (who writes under Ken L. Burke), plus a bunch of other Atlanta area authors including Emily Carpenter, Gaby Anderson, Robert Gwaltney and Colleen Oakley. Thank you, festival organizers Stephanie Baldi and Elyse Wheeler.

Friends, I will be doing two book events this weekend.
• Friday, March 27, I’ll talk to readers from 6-8 p.m. at Books and Brews, a cozy, independent bookstore and bar at 4316 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite 110, in Tucker, GA.
• Saturday, March 28, I’ll be part of the Conversations with the Author series at Carrollton BookFest. My event starts at 2:45 p.m. at 281 Alabama St. in Carrollton, GA, but there are other events throughout the day Friday and Saturday. To register and find out about other authors appearing, go to www.carrolltonbookfest.com.
ralphellisauthor.com

Friends, there’s a way you can read “The Accident Report” for FREE in eBook form. All you have to do is ask your local library system to order it. The library system can then obtain it through apps like OverDrive (the creator of Libby) and Hoopla. Kudos to the DeKalb and Fayette library systems, which have already added the eBook (as well as the physical book) to their offerings.

I was lucky to sit on a panel at the Dahlonega Literary Festival with three accomplished mystery authors, (from left) Terri Parlato, Debra Goldstein and Valerie (V.M.) Burns. I learned a lot talking with them before and after the session. Moderator Trisha Slay, also an author, expertly kept the conversation rolling. I will next be talking about "The Accident Report" on March 27 at Books and Brews in Tucker and March 28 at the Carrollton BookFest.

If you’re in North Georgia on Saturday, check out the Dahlonega Literary Festival. There will be 17 authors and six moderated panel discussions, including one I’ll participate in at 9 a.m. All events are free except for the 4:30 p.m. keynote by Joshilyn Jackson, who's launching her latest novel, "Missing Sister." I’ll be signing copies of “The Accident Report” and talking to anybody who walks up to my table throughout the day. The festival happens at the historic Holly Theater at 69 West Main Street. https://www.literaryfestival.org/next-lit-festival ralphellisauthor.com

I grew up in the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina but I’ve never had an opportunity to visit nearby Sevierville, Tennessee, until this weekend. I’ll be talking about “The Accident Report” on Saturday at Appalachian WordFest at the event center at The Ridge. It’s a free festival, so if you’re in the area, stop by. https://appalachianwordfest.com ralphellisauthor.com

I enjoyed doing my very first book club event on Sunday with a neighborhood book club in Athens. Sarah and Arthur Brice, old colleagues from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, hosted us in their beautiful home and provided snacks and hospitality. I’m available to talk to other book clubs about my newspaper novel “The Accident Report,” in person or by Zoom. If you’re interested, contact me through my website, ralphellisauthor.com, or email [email protected].

The highlight of my book signing at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC, was seeing Bob Satterwhite, who was managing editor of The Asheville Citizen when I worked there 1979-81. Bob switched from journalism to teaching and is now a retired English professor living in Cullowhee, NC. Susan, my wife and fellow writer, asked questions about my novel "The Accident Report" and wasn't too hard on me. If you're ever in Sylva, check out City Lights. It's a great little bookstore with a terrific collection of books about Appalachia. My next book appearance is Feb. 28 at Appalachian WordFest in Sevierville, Tenn. ralphellisauthor.com

My friend Jann Alexander's novel about the Dust Bowl, "Unspoken," is available for FREE on eBook today. I recommend it. You can click on this link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1685136222/

FRIDAY! One day only!
Grab Unspoken: A Dust Novel from this BookBub deal at no cost. As in, !
February 6 on Amazon Kindle

"Grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. Ruby Lee Becker’s silence is louder than any storm. The Texas Panhandle is tough country but Ruby meets it head-on. There’s grit and grace here. Unspoken will stick around in your mind, because legacy is...what you refuse to let slip away."
—EDITORS' CHOICE
Historical Novels Review, Historical Novel Society

I'll be talking about "The Accident Report" at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC, on Saturday, Feb. 7. The store asked if I wanted to talk alone or be "in conversation" with someone. I said, "How about Susan Puckett, a talented writer who happens to be my wife?" They said OK. If you're in Western NC that day, the fun starts at 3pm. , ralphellisauthor.com

A reminder to eBook readers and bargain hunters. My novel "The Accident Report" will be available for FREE on Amazon Kindle and other BookBub markets today (Saturday, January 24). This is a one-day offer, so start clicking.

Click here for a free download: https://tinyurl.com/r5nwsvr7

ralphellisauthor.com