Misty skies cleared in Baton Rouge last weekend as the 2026 Louisiana Book Festival got underway. Fiction fans arrived early, eager and curious, as authors put the final touches on their booths and display tables.
I smiled as readers in festive attire made their way through the exhibitors’ tents because I absolutely love book fests. Then, welcomed them to my writing world: magical realism set in New Orleans and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Several months ago, when I registered for the 22nd annual festival, held on the Capitol grounds, I had no idea what fun awaited me. Whether it was the festive nature of All Hallows’ Eve or the dramatic change in the weather forecast, the breezy day vibrated with a shared love of books.
The finest moments, sprinkled throughout the day, came from meeting folks who continue to embrace books…yes, physical books! It was so energizing to meet book enthusiasts who love to compare genres and debate sub-genres, and I was especially impressed with readers who knew book comps (comparable titles). For selective folks who browsed tables piled high with mysteries, biographies, memoirs, sci-fi, fantasy, and even children’s series, knowing where a novel might sit on a shelf helped them decide what to pick up.
Literary conversations with bookworms provided a perfect segue to explain A Southern Enchantress’s unique genre blend—magical realism, Southern gothic, and dark romance. While several readers needed an introduction to low fantasy, a bit of book banter persuaded them to sample a stir of magic.
Another memorable part of this year’s event included conversations with aspiring authors and their questions about where to start as an indie author. Writers-to-be proposed story lines while others wondered about the time commitment of getting a first draft to publication.
The answer? I had no secret sauce to offer, no shortcut or easy template to suggest. But I noted that time takes on a new meaning when creating a WIP you’ve considered writing for years. And I stressed the importance of hiring excellent editors, digging into rewrites, and seeking an indie publisher to manage the heavy lifting. Then, be prepared for a lifetime of book promotions. And the expectation to write a follow-up.
This weekend marked A Southern Enchantress’s third birthday and an unexpected energy surrounding Suzanne Lafountain’s story. Perhaps because I’m writing its prequel, set in New Orleans’ Storyville in 1913.
But perhaps Suzanne, Adelaide (Addy), Jeanne, and Madelaine are restless…it’s time for their ancestors to be introduced…and they’re creating a stir.
Who knows? I no longer search for cresting waves and have settled into the joy of the journey.
