My first memory of Jackson’s later to be celebrated Sweet Potato Queen is still vivid in my mind.
In April 1983, Lemuria was having a book signing for Hannah’s cutting edge Tennis Handsome, still my favorite of Barry’s novels. Two kegs of beer were being consumed with Hendrix blaring at top volume. Barry in his rebel gear was handled by beloved pal Ronzo.
Jill (i.e., Betty Fulton) was hanging around, lovely in a yellow oasis lady Lemuria t-shirt (design=nude reading under palms). Later, we loaded the number two keg into a hatchback to hear Albert King at Gino’s Blues Alley. A thunderstorm exploded soaking us all up. What a memory, this lovely amazon in a soaking tee–I was sold, Jill was definitely a Lemurian.
Years later Jill with her Sweet Potato Queen book was kind to express so fondly her love for our bookstore. We worked hard for Jill, her first selling over 5,000 copies. Over the years, her dedication and friendship joined with her husband, our pal Kyle, has yielded many pleasant memories.
Her first reading with Roy Blount, draped in a rebel flag, celebrated her first book publication, as Betty Fulton, in the Norton Book of Southern Humor.
Share with us your first or funniest story about Jill. The more outrageous the better we’ll like it.
Click here to see all of “Lemuria Reads Mississippians.” Editor Neil White will be signing at Lemuria on Thursday, October 28th.
Mississippians is available now! Purchase a copy online or call the bookstore 601/800.366.7619.
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