Atlanta Author Karin Slaughter will be among 13 authors coming to Smyrna for the sixth annual "Murder Goes South" southern mystery book festival for authors and readers.

"We are so pleased that best selling author Karin Slaughter will be with us as the featured speaker for our sixth annual Murder Goes South event," stated Linda Evans, president of the Friends of Smyrna Library organization. "Our program is especially strong this year, as we have 12 other established Southern mystery writers whose various works capture the history, beauty and tradition of the South. Our diverse program includes Dr. Bill Bass, one half of the Jefferson Bass writing team well known for their Body Farm novels. We even have a few authors who specialize in vampire novels, so from a mystery perspective we think there is something here for all tastes. "

The two-day event, starts Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. with a dinner at the community center with Karin Slaughter as guest speaker. Her most recent book is "Beyond Reach."

Registration for the event is $50 for two days and $30 for one day. Members of the Friends organization are eligible for a discount. For more information, please contact the library at 770-431-2860 or visit murdergoessouth.com.

Reprinted from the Smyrna-Vinings Bright Side.

Friends of Smyrna Library Release the 2008 Murder Goes South Official Poster

Acclaimed artist Craig Faris designed the official 2008 Murder Goes South poster. Mr. Faris is also the designer of officialMurder Goes South posters for the past 6 years and a participant speaker in past years' MGS festivals.
   

Friends of Smyrna Library Announce the 2008 Murder Goes South Authors

International best-selling author Karin Slaughter will be the Featured Special Guest Speaker. Jefferson Bass (Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson) of the Body Farm will be the Featured Guest Speakers.

Additional Special Guests Include:

Glynn Marsh Alam
Linda Berry
Nash Black
Norman Chastain
Phillip Depoy
Susan Goggins
Brandon Massey
Claire Matturro
Walter Sorrells
Wendy Webb
Mary Saxon Wilburn

Check back for more information throughout the fall.
   

Friends of Smyrna Library and Murder Goes South are sponsoring a unique short story writing contest. The contest is open to both published and unpublished writers.

The Rules:

First, you must tell us a mystery. A Southern mystery set in a city, big or small, so long as it's Southern. Then you must feature at least one food item that is a specialty of (you guessed it) the South. Next, you must tell this Southern mystery in 250 words or less.

Contest deadline is JANUARY 12, 2007 and is free and open to the public.

Entries may be mailed to Smyrna Public Library, 100 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, GA 30080. Mailed entries must be postmarked no later than January 12, 2006. Entries may be emailed or dropped off at the library's circulation desk in an envelope marked: Friends of Smyrna Library, Attention: Debbie Battiste. Winners will be announced and/or awarded at the Murder Goes South event on January 27, 2007.

The Friends of Smyrna Library and The Wine Cellars announce a special Murder Goes South Wine Tasting and Book Signing on January 27, 2007 beginning at 4:30 PM.

Murder Goes South attendees will receive complimentary tickets when registering. Learn more about the Wine Cellars' great community service efforts and obtain directions.