Naked and Hungry Goes to Kernersville!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Although I’ve lived in North Carolina all my life, until yesterday I never had the pleasure of going to the charming town of Kernersville. Located in Forsyth County, the town is aptly described as the “heart” of the Piedmont Triad.

Along with about fifteen other authors, including my talented editor and friend, Judith Geary, the acclaimed author of the Getorix book series,  I had the pleasure of attending the Fall Book Fest hosted by Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore.

I met many new faces, but one of the highlights was re-connecting with dear friend, Anna Sandelli (pictured on the far left), who now lives close by. I had the pleasure of working with the UNC journalism major for two years at Chapel Hill and I’ve enjoyed watching her star rise.

This experience was just another reason I hope to return to Kernersville in the future. History abounds in this small town, from the founding in 1756 by an Irishman to a visit by George Washington in 1791. The town is named for Jule Korner, a German immigrant who left his mark in the form of a mysterious Victorian mansion known as “Korner’s Folly.” WIth 22 rooms spread over 7 levels, don’t you bet this place could inspire a novel (or two)?  I can just picture H.T. making a visit, getting lost and locked inside.

We’ll have plenty of creepy adventures ahead in my follow-up novel, Born Again, Dead Again. Here H.T. attends a Halloween gathering populated by “prombies” (zombies frozen in their high school prom attire) and a mysterious Celtic-themed dancer named Boudicca who guards the secrets of a growing list of dead men. Stay tuned for a preview just in time for Halloween!

Naked and Hungry Coming to “The State of Things” on WUNC Radio!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Naked and Hungry will be going public soon! Public radio, that is. This week I was delighted to receive an invitation from WUNC Radio (91.5 FM) to appear on next Wednesday’s (Oct. 26) edition of “The State of Things” hosted by Frank Stasio. I’ll be interviewed during the last half hour of the noon show, which is a live program featuring the issues, personalities, and places of North Carolina.

Recent guests have included diverse personalities such as Charles Frazier, author of Cold Mountain, Wanda Jackson, America’s first female rock and roller, and researcher Michael Fishbach, an advocate for whale conservation (one of Jessica’s heroes, by the way). I’m particularly humbled to follow in the footsteps of good friend Mary Lambeth Moore, author of Sleeping with Patty Hearst, who also appeared earlier this year.

For the past 25 years, WUNC has been the bastion of quality programming, NPR news and classical music in our state. Are you a fan? If so, do your part and pledge now to help support everything you enjoy on WUNC. And you might also win a trip to Italy!

I’m very excited but my heart’s already racing. In fact, I can hear Myrtle right now: “Lordy be! Girl, you’re a writer. Do you think you’re ready for 17 minutes of live radio?” I’m hoping she’ll pray for me. Also hoping you’ll send positive energy my way next week.

Join us again for Tea on the Front Porch with Spa at Bell House tomorrow night!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

We enjoyed our August visit with Spa at Bell House so much that we managed to get ourselves invited back! This time we’ll appear with the office of Greg Ruff, M.D.

As you might recall, our main character, H.T. McMullen, has every reason to be grateful to medical professionals. After all, it was a local physician who helped him recover from a case of amnesia.

So please join us tomorrow night from 6 – 8 p.m. for tea, pastries and conversation on the porch of one of the most beautiful houses in Pittsboro. I’ll be reading a short excerpt from the novel and giving away another crepe pan!

Coasting Down to Earth in Naked and Hungry Style

Posted on by Ashley Harris

It’s just two days after the “BIG EVENT” and I’m still coasting down to earth. I say “coasting” because there’s something rather divine about a day at Fearrington Village with sunshine, friends, art, and books.

Yes, it’s true. Naked and Hungry has now been “officially” launched! A combination of family members, old friends (from nursery school, no less) and even new friends (hijacked from the Art Festival next door) helped me celebrate this important milestone. A special thanks to Pete Mock, McIntyre’s mystery guru, who helped arrange the reading and lent such a gracious introduction and to my photographer and dear friend, Melissa Kotacka for the fabulous photographs.

As I stated while looking out toward a sea of loving faces, John Grisham could not have wished for a more supportive group of fans. I could relive this day forever. This book is for you.

Naked and Hungry Named a Promising Read by Library Journal

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Just learned that Library Journal has named Naked and Hungry as one of nearly 200 “promising debut novels” in their semi-annual list of recommendations for library collections. And it’s just one of five N.C. novels to make the list. It’s mentioned on their website and October print issue. Read more.

I was thrilled with this news because it means this little book may come to the notice of more readers and perhaps even more book clubs. And the timing couldn’t be better because I’m slated to speak at the Randolph County Public Library in December of this year, thanks to the Asheboro Happy Bookers. It is with humble gratitude that I share this honor with this local club (thanks Delores!) as well as the Lakeland, Fla, Happy Bookers (thanks Jeanne!). And of course, I will always be grateful to the Randolph County Library,  the source of countless afternoons spent curled up on a beanbag chair lost in a pile of books.

Remember those days? The library was the one place where parents could feel safe about dropping off their kids for the day. I can’t say that I knew I would be a writer in those early days because I was more captivated by the joys of reading. There the shy little girl could give free rein to her interests and imagination. I could go anywhere, be anyone, and take home as many books as I liked. What about you? Do you have a favorite library memory? If so, share it here!

Naked and Hungry Goes to Fearrington Village!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

In less than two weeks (Oct. 9), Naked and Hungry will make its official debut at McIntyre’s Fine Books in Fearrington Village here in Pittsboro. It’s the ideal bookstore for book lovers. Why? It’s cozy yet full of wonderful little nooks to explore. It’s also a cook’s paradise because they are known for their outstanding cookbook selection and for being a regular venue for celebrity chefs such Paula Deen and Giada DeLaurentis. Our wannabe chef, H.T., would undoubtedly approve!

I’ll be reading in the area known as “Pete’s Mystery Room” which is named after  McIntyre’s bookseller and mystery lover, Pete Mock. (It’s wrapped rather charmingly in crime scene tape, by the way.) If you attend an open mic event (held on the first Wednesday of every quarter), you might be lucky enough to hear Pete read from his own work-in-progress, which I hope he finishes soon.

What are you doing on October 9 at 2 p.m.? If you love books, quaint country settings (with black and white cows!), and want to show your appreciation for one of the south’s best independent bookstores, I hope you’ll plan to join us. I’ll be reading from the book, but most importantly, celebrating the many family and friends who have made this event possible. I can’t say it enough, so again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and belief in me.

P.S. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to register for 1 of 10 free copies of Naked and Hungry on the Good Reads Giveaway. You’ve got four days!

Naked and Hungry Goes to Greensboro!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Just returned from the 10th Annual Celebration of Farmers at the Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market, a surprisingly extensive local market founded in 1874, which makes it one of the state’s oldest. The market offers a variety of seasonal produce, home-baked goods and even crafts, such as jewelry and crocheted hand-towels.

My good friend Donna Myers from high school organized this event, which offered a delicious country breakfast on red-checkered table cloths and live music. I recommend the biscuits and homemade strawberry jam! All total, there were more than 100 attendees, some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. These included tobacco and corn farmers, members of a Peruvian friendship mission, even Presbyterian minister-song writers. A highlight was my friend Cosmo pictured to the left showing off his new trick. Paws up to Naked and Hungry!

A special thanks to Donna for inviting me, and to Claudia and Charlie Griffin for their hospitality and cheerful help setting up the Naked and Hungry tent. Couldn’t have done it without you! Also, thank you Yolanda and Emma for making the trek from Durham to hear the reading. Wish I’d gotten your picture!
For more pictures, check out our Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market album.

Ten Questions for Naked and Hungry Book Clubs

Posted on by Ashley Harris

To my great honor, Naked and Hungry has attracted the attention of at least two book clubs. Both clubs go by the name of The Happy Bookers (don’t you love the name?). The Happy Bookers of  Lakeland, Florida is already reading the book and planning their discussion.

This occasion has inspired an interesting question, at least in the mind of the author. Can a darkly humorous suspense novel spark insightful discussion? Or is a book such as this meant to be read and enjoyed? Or perhaps both?

Below is a list of ten questions I jotted down tonight that I hope will launch both meaningful and fun discussions of Naked and Hungry. No right or wrong answers here; I’m not even sure they’re the right questions so please let me know what you think.

And fans, whether you’re in a book club or not, feel free to answer one or more of these questions on your own. All advice and opinions are welcome.

  1. H.T. has been described as a reluctant hero. When is he most reluctant and when is he most heroic?
  2.  Which pair of characters is more different—H.T. and Margaret or H.T. and Jessica?
  3.  What is represented by H.T.’s pared-down possessions?
  4.  H.T. prides himself on his recent state of self-awareness, but is he subject to the same self-delusion as the rest of the characters? If so, to what degree? (Thank you, Steve from Chapel Hill, for the inspiration behind this question.)
  5.  Comedy has been described as an exaggeration of humanity, often described as farce in theatre. Give an example of a scene from Naked and Hungry that demonstrates the most extreme exaggeration.
  6.  Is Jessica fighting a losing battle in her quest to protect the environment? Can one person really make a difference in educating the masses about issues such as fossil fuel consumption or water quality?
  7.  Does the author appear to favor one character over another?
  8. Do any of the villains deserve pity? Why or why not?
  9. Naked and Hungry has many subplots. Are they effective in advancing the main story line or do you find them distracting?
  10. What does the story tell us about the changing values of a community in a recession?

Naked and Hungry Celebrates N.C. Farmers at the Greensboro Curb Market!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

When high school chum Donna Myers asked me to attend the 10th Annual Farmers Appreciation Day at the Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market, I was thrilled to say “YES!”

It’s no secret that the title of my novel was inspired by the slogan of the Future Farmers of America —  the dedicated men and women whose efforts keep us from running around “naked and hungry.” My main character, H.T. McMullen, is not a farmer by trade, but having recently turned his back on materialism, he is now embracing a hand-to-mouth existence. He built his own cabin from recycled materials and lives on fish he catches himself and homegrown fruit and vegetables. With no mortgage, fresh food, an abundance of wildlife, it’s a dream lifestyle until…

H.T. discovers that his pristine retreat is anything but. In fact, it’s been built on the site of a hazardous waste dump. And that’s when the story gets a little more interesting.

To hear more about the book, and register for a FREE crepe pan (H.T.’s favorite cooking tool), join us on Sept. 10 (less than two weeks away) at the Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market. There’ll be a host of other fun activities, including a locally produced breakfast, live music, and organizations that support eating local and eating healthy.

Hope to see you there! For more, and to sign up for the event, see the Facebook event page.

At Last…The Playlist for Naked and Hungry!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Although Naked and Hungry won’t be officially released until November 1, guess what? You can listen to the songs featured in the book right now, courtesy of YouTube!

This playlist features all 7 of the solid gold hits mentioned in the book, from “Midnight at the Oasis” to an elementary school performance of “Hot Cross Buns” that’s reminiscent of H.T.’s own show-stopping rendition in fourth grade.

Kick up your heels, crank up the volume and enjoy a few tunes from the Naked and Hungry Playlist!