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.

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 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.

Naked and Hungry Goes to Pittsboro!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

A BIG thanks to all our attendees and to the Spa at Bell House in Pittsboro for hosting last evening’s reading. About 20 folks gathered to hear a short reading highlighting the character of Margaret Freeman, the highly stressed manager of McMullen Quality Pre-Owned Automobiles.

And boy, should Margaret have been there!

Not only did we enjoy tea, lemonade, and lemon-blackberry squares, Spa at Bell House gave chair massages to all attendees! Three lucky folks won 20-minute sauna retreats and we also gave away another crepe pan, which is as dear to H.T. as his nail gun.

We hope that everyone—from Type As to Type Zs—enjoyed the fellowship of friends in a relaxed, stress-free setting! And if you missed it, no worries, the spa has invited back for another event on October 21. And this time, we’re making crepes! So mark your calendar.

In the meantime, check out more photos in our August 19 album on the Naked and Hungry Facebook Page or check out Melissa’s blog for photographs taken by a true artist!

Goats, Dogs, Ducks, Chickens and More!

Posted on by Ashley Harris

Today my friend and photographer extraordinaire Melissa Kotacka and I made a special trip to Rougement to visit Elodie Farms. It’s even more beautiful in person; in fact, it’s reminiscent of Marie Antoinette’s Petit Hameau in France. But unlike that fabled retreat, Elodie Farms is an authentic dairy, where owner Dave Artigues milks his goats by hand twice each day.

Gus, a brown lab and Lulu, a loquacious Chihuahua mix, greeted us first. As we wound our way to the dairy, we encountered roosters and ducks. The “kids” (teenagers, really) were the first of the goats to peek out. Curious, playful and friendly, they clambered to the gate for a first-hand view. A protective doe circled, not so sure. We soon made the acquaintance of Dave himself, who years ago decided to trade his clinical psychiatry work for dairy farming and hasn’t looked back since. His journey sounds a little like that H.T., the reluctant hero of Naked and Hungry.

So where was Bermadean, the fictional goat in Naked and Hungry? You decide! If you want to know for sure, join us on August 6, for a tour of the farm and a special reading of the book in celebration of sustainable agriculture in North Carolina.

For more, check out Melissa’s beautiful photo-essay on our trip.