When I think about New Orleans (and Southern Louisiana) I am always struck by how much it has contributed to our country on so many sensory levels. NOLA has given us food like nowhere else, music, literature, flora and fauna, even myths and legends that live only down there. And I haven't even mentioned the parties - or the amazing history. One of the things I really like about the idea behind the Voice of New Orleans site is that it will eventually incorporate so many aspects of NOLA in one place - that not only will the politics behind the rebuild be covered through links to major newspapers, but also there will be essays and reviews on so many other aspects of the city. For me that means lots of books to read and editors and authors to interview as well as songwriters to track down and lyrics to discuss.
I am so psyched about this!
First up from me is The Neighborhood Story Project from Soft Skull Press. It is exactly the sort of collection that I wish was present from so many different areas in the country and I'm really looking forward to diving into it and talking with the folks who put it together.
I've running down some other essay collections and looking forward to tracking down some great fiction set in the area as well (Poppy Z. Brite's latest stuff is at the top of that list.) If you have a favorite NOLA title you'd like to publicize a bit more, let me know. It's not changing the world just yet, but it's a small step toward reminding everyone why New Orleans and Southern Louisiana matter. It's what I can do, and I'm so excited to be finally doing it!
