This was not an ordinary, humdrum, road trip. Oh, no. I was in the company of some of the most famous writers in the world. Why, there was Mr. Tennessee Williams, Mississippi Poet, Miss Muna Lee, Mr. Faulkner, Jim Henson and three of his Muppets, Kermit, Oscar, the Grouch, and Miss Piggy.

Oh, that Miss Piggy – what an attitude!

No, I really haven’t gone insane, not yet, anyway. I was on a recent road trip with the wonderfully talented repertoire performance literary event, Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers sponsored by the statewide nonprofit arts organization, Mississippi Writers Guild. We were on our way for an invited performance at Oak Grove Library. This is a progressive Mississippi Public Library located near Hattiesburg. I suppose we were a hit, because we are invited to perform again in October – repeat performance, hmmm, nice.

Our entire event includes: Richard Wright, Eudora Welty, Mr. Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Jim Henson, Muna Lee, Shelby Foote, Margaret Walker, Lady Mary Sinclair, and Ida B. Wells, plus, Miss Piggy, Miss Piggy, and Miss Piggy! At least that’s what she thinks!

In the coming months we plan to bring to the event additional literary personalities, because as you know, Mississippi abounds with literary talent.

Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers was featured in the Southern Scrapbook section of Mississippi Magazine, Sept/Oct 2006 issue.

Members of Mississippi Writers Guild selected a favorite historic Mississippi writer, and studied their work and lives intensely. Our Guild member volunteers then dress in the writer’s era, read of their work, and most importantly, tell of their struggles and accomplishments with the written word.

In July 2007, Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers (HHMW) was invited to The Mississippi Rising Teacher’s Convention at the Gulf Coast Coliseum. Our group was proud to be included in the program as an innovative teaching tool. It is our hope that Mississippi students will be challenged to do their best, and yes, that they, too, can accomplish great things as their Mississippi heritage reveals.

In addition, HHMW has traveled the state for the entire years of 2006 and 2007, and now into 2008, performing for schools, public libraries, Mississippi Welcome Centers, coffee shops, historic sites, community clubs, conventions, and anywhere we are invited to uplift and honor the genius of historic Mississippi writers. For more information see: then click on Historic Writers.

In 2007, our Mr. Faulkner, Barry McMullan from Meridian, was invited to the annual Mississippi Reads reception at The Eudora Welty Library, Jackson, to perform his signature literary personality. This year our Richard Wright, Robert Ray from Meridian, is invited to the same reception. It goes without saying, but I think I’ll say it anyway – Barry and Robert represent Mississippi Writers Guild in a mighty way as they portray the genius of two Mississippi literary giants, and especially, upon invitation by Mississippi Reads. Below you’ll find information and a partial listing of the books and authors chosen by “Mississippi Reads”.

“Mississippi Reads,” a project initiated by sponsors throughout the state, invites readers of all ages to read a specific book by a Mississippi author each year. Libraries, schools, and reading groups are encouraged to sponsor discussions, lectures, and other activities focusing on the book. The project is designed to increase reading among all Mississippians and to highlight some of Mississippi’s extraordinary writers, including Faulkner, Wright, and Welty.

Mississippi Reads

Multiple statewide sponsors

email: mississippireads@gmail.com

2007 – Go Down, Moses by William Faulkner

2008 – Uncle Tom’s Children by Richard Wright

2009 – Collected Stories of Eudora Welty

http://www.mississippireads.org/index.html

Mississippi Writers Guild provides guidance and information concerning the literary arts, communicating with and helping writers to gain knowledge in their particular literary field; informing the public of the works of Mississippi writers; encouraging creativity and performance of the written word; and organizing events to celebrate Mississippi and Southern writers. Mississippi Writers Guild was nominated for The Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts 2008. For more information: www.mississippiwritersguild.com Now, here’s the thing … riding along with Mr. Faulkner, Mr. Williams, and Miss Lee was, not only extraordinary, but I’m certain, a dream come true for most Mississippians – but I’m not so sure about Miss Piggy. She does have a little attitude, but then, she is a Super Star!?