Chapter 16
A Community of Tennessee Writers, Readers & Passersby

The Glorious Pastime: Paul Vasterling

Nashville Ballet artistic director Paul Vasterling on Lincoln in the Bardo and tsundoku

Paul Vasterling, artistic director of Nashville Ballet since 1998, has created more than 40 works, including the beloved Nashville’s Nutcracker. For the latest installment of “The Glorious Pastime,” he shares some thoughts with Chapter 16 about his first literary love and the genius of George Saunders.

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For Something Other Than Himself

Renowned illustrator and book artist Barry Moser reflects on his work

Barry Moser, a Chattanooga native, is a renowned illustrator, printmaker, and book artist, and he’s well known for his portraits of literary greats. In a wide-ranging conversation with Franklin artist Carolyn Beehler, Moser talks about his work, the art world, and what makes the perfect bookstore.

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The Glorious Pastime: Chanelle Benz

Memphis writer Chanelle Benz shares her current reading list and the story that haunts her

A Q&A with Memphis writer Chanelle Benz launches a new feature at Chapter 16: “The Glorious Pastime,” an occasional series devoted to the reading lives of prominent Tennesseans. Benz, a novelist and short story writer, discusses her wide-ranging reading list and the book she hopes to read … someday. 

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An Eloquent Migration Story

Yuyi Morales’ Dreamers is the 2020 Nashville Reads selection

Yuyi Morales’ bestselling, award-winning picture book is a true tale of immigration and the transformative power of finding one’s creative voice.

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“The Bridge”

Book Excerpt: Hidden Nature: Wild Southern Caves

Michael Ray Taylor’s Hidden Nature: Wild Southern Caves, a mixture of memoir and subterranean natural history, will be published in August 2020. He chairs the communication and theatre arts department at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

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“Sound Advice”

Book Excerpt: Nine Bar Blues

Sheree Renée Thomas is an award-winning short story writer, poet, and editor. She edited the Dark Matter speculative fiction anthologies, which won two World Fantasy Awards. Her previous books include Sleeping Under the Tree of Life and Shotgun Lullabies. Nine Bar Blues: Stories from an Ancient Future is her first fiction collection. She lives in her hometown, Memphis.

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