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Travel Editor Randy Johnson to Speak at High Country Writers, Mar. 9

Travel Editor Randy Johnson will be the featured presenter at the Thursday, March 9th meeting of the High Country Writers at the Watauga County Public Library in Boone. The Library is located at 140 Queen Street. The program will begin at 10:00 am, preceded by coffee and conversation from 9:30 – 10:00 am. The program in free and open to the public.

Johnson’s program, “Climbing a Mountain Sized Publishing Project”, will begin with a slide show introduction of his new book, Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon. Johnson will talk about this almost 5-year project that became the most massive, intimidating and difficult writing effort of his career. He will describe how and why the book took years of research and writing before the final concept could take shape. Working with The University of North Carolina Press, one of the top university publishers in the country, Johnson realized a “career-capping” book. He will share images and incidents from the history of Grandfather Mountain that capture his passion for a place that has shaped his life from the 1970s to now. He will contrast this book with other travel and outdoor guides he has written, and also touch on topics like how his own experience as a book and magazine editor led to this book he calls the best book he’s ever written. Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon was a finalist for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Johnson will have copies of many of his books for sale and signing.

High Country Writers has been “energizing writers since 1995!” Regular meetings are at the Watauga County Public Library on the second and fourth Thursdays of most months from ten until noon and speakers’ programs are co-sponsored with the Library. HCW members present writing skills workshops on the first Thursday of the month, and have recently partnered with the Watauga Arts Council in hosting these workshops. In the event of inclement weather which dictates the closure of the Library, the High Country Writers Program will be canceled. Guests are welcome. 

 

For more information and a current calendar, visit the website