Hi there. Just finished "CRazy in Alabama" and loved it. When I finally stopped laughing and crying, I actually read it a second time just to see how you structured it and wove the stories together. My question is, were the race riot/civil rights incidents true? Seems to me I have read about swimming pool integration before...and can you recommend any other good books on the subject? Carolyn J.


Hi Carolyn, Thanks for writing in, and I'm so glad you liked the book. The swimming-pool incident described in "Crazy" is 100 percent fiction -- except it's not. Many small towns across the South went through similar struggles over swimming pools, parks, movie theaters, lunch counters, etc. When we were scouting for locations for our film, we saw DOZENS of pools that were closed and abandoned in the mid-60s rather than be integrated. And I was inspired by the summer we returned to Calera, Alabama, to find the brand-new pool asphalted in. This to protect us from having to swim with black kids. What a world that was, huh? As to good books on the Civil Rights struggle, I recommend particularly two books by Taylor Branch, "Parting the Waters" and "Pillar of Fire," also the companion book to the excellent PBS series "Eyes on the Prize." Thanks again for writing. Mark C.

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Hi Mark. I have read all your novels, and I love them! The first I read was Cracy in Alabama, and I loved it so much I got the rest of them from Amazon.com right after I finished it. Now I have read all of them twice (Cracy in A 3 times), so my question is: When is the next comming out? Your fan in Iceland (haven´t found any other fans yet, a wery small population!) Helga Tryggva, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.

Hi Helga! Yes indeed, as far as I know you are my very first Icelandic fan, and I certainly thank you for your faithful reading! Your question about the next book is a good one ... I have just finished a first draft of it and I expect it will come out sometime in 2006, God willing and the creek don't rise (as we say in Bama). I am fascinated by your country and hope to visit there someday. Once again, thank you so much for reading, and for writing to me. Cheers, Mark C.

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Morning Mark, I just finished listening to "Crazy in Alabama" and am still under its spell. Thank you so much for creating those memorable characters - and recreating the tensions & horrors of that time in Alabama (mixed with a liberal dose of quaesi-feminist absurdity). I had thoroughly enjoyed the movie years ago - saw the title in the library - and decided it was worth a try. Little did I know that, with 12 tapes, I would spend the next week looking for excuses to listen: cleaning the house, driving to distant places, walking the cat! The interview on Tape 12 was a real treat: such a pleasure to hear your "voice" and get some insight into the creation of my new friends (PJo, Dov & Lucille). Now I'm hooked - and have to get my hands on your other books. Again, many thanks. My best, Kate

Dear Kate, So glad you liked it. Actually I didn't know anything about the existence of that unabridged audio version until a fan wrote me about it ... the company that sublicensed the rights didn't even bother to send me a copy of it. And I cannot stand the syrupy Southern accent put on by the actor they hired to read the book. So I would urge you to read the book, where you'll hear the characters' REAL voices. No matter - I really appreciate your taking all that time out from your actual life to listen to my book. And I hope you enjoy the others! Cheers, Mark C.

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Mark-I grew up in Birmingham and later spent 25 years in Dothan before moving to Mississippi. I have read all your books and liked them all especially V For Victor. The excerpt from One Misissippi is fantastic. I cannot wait for it to come out. Have you read Warren St. Johns book about Alabama football fans and the RV experience? I graduated from Mississippi State but grew up as an Alabama fan and can appreciate the stories. Please write more!--Steve Whitehead

Hi Steve, Thanks for the kind words about my work. Always nice to discover another reader out there. It's funny how people pick a book as their favorite. Actually haven't read the WSJ book but I was much amused when the author wrote a piece about it on Slate and headlined it "Crazy in Alabama." Anyway -- congrats on surviving for 25 years in the Queen City of the Wiregrass! And I'm typing as fast as I can. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hi Mark, I'm from Germany and I'm going to write an assignment about your book (CIA). It would be really nice of you to send me an analysis of it (Formal Analysis) we have to focus on the following aspects: sound, structure, comparisons, characters, plot/action, perspective, stylistic devices) , Existentialist Method (we have to focus on the following aspects:fear, threat, sorrow, death, loneliness, fight, heroism) and Literary Sociology) .(we just read to page 296) Thanks alot Sincerely, Thomas T. E-mail:redrum_nz@hotmail.com

Dear Thomas, Dang, buddy, I had your formal analysis all written up and ready to go, and then I got an email from your teacher saying authors are not allowed to help students with their papers about said authors, so I had to refrain. Hope your grade came out all right, anyway ... and thanks for reading! Cheers, Mark C.

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Mark. Are you the Mark Childress I knew at Mitchell Elementary in Muncie, Indiana? Mr. Wagner, several years ago (if you are he) said he'd heard from you, that you'd written (gasp) a book. Well it seems (even if you are not he) you've written several. This is Doug Trenfield. I am sorry (if you are he) that I and several friends, I think in the 5th grade) were badly behaved in your family room one afternoon after school at your residence on Norwood. (Wanted you to know that for years, Mark. Always thought you had a more mature sensibility, probably still do. We were oafish, and you called us on it.) I won't go on. Don't know how interested you are in an elementary classmate's life, and would understand if I didn't merit reply. (Though if you did reply, I promise I've not turned weird, or not remained weird, if that's how I seemed. Elder in my church, actor in occasional community theatre productions, high school speech and theatre teacher, father and spouse -- I meet the usual "normal" criteria.) So write and say hey. We're not old buds, I know, but would be fun and interesting to find out how the serious guy who sat in front of me in 6th grade become a writer. (Sorry. New to the revelation that you (if you are he) write, I've not read a book of yours. But I will! (If you are he, or maybe even if you're not.) Sincerely, Doug Trenfield

Dear Doug, Yep that's me. Although you may the first person who has ever described me as "mature" or "serious." I'd love to hear what you did in our family room that was so obnoxious I would object to it. Maybe I went through a "phase" in sixth grade, but all I can tell you is that nobody I know would describe me as either mature or serious. But I am tickled to hear from you. Mr. Wagner was an amazing teacher. Mostly I remember the time in class he said to me, "Young man, don't be facetious," and I suffered all day waiting to get home to look up the word and find out what it meant. Anyway, always great to hear from old friends, and to hear your life is going so well. I'll send you a note off-the-board, and thanks for writing! Cheers, Mark C.

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Good morning, I am looking to find relatives from Corsen 'Booger' Childress I am doing this for my WW2 vet friend Bill Tingen from North Carolina, who was with him in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. Booger unfortunately died in a car accident I've been told. Filip Willems fiwi#tijd.com http://users.skynet.be/101airborne

Dear Filip, Thanks so much for writing in, but unfortunately I am not aware of any relation between our family and Corsen "Booger" Childress. My uncle Joe fought at the Battle of the Bulge, but he was on my mother's side. Good luck as you search for the connection, and I salute the sacrifice of he and your friend Mr. Tingen. Good luck, Mark C.

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Dear Mark, I work at American Airlines and have the good fortune of knowing your brother Rory. He told me how your love and support helped them through the tragic ordeal with Joel. Rory's qualities as a Checkairman with the company has come through from his personal character; patience, positive attitude and strong spiritual beliefs. Your Mom raised you well. Just wanted to say thanks for being a great brother to an admired and respected friend and co-worker. Gloria Seidel P.S. Can't wait to read your books when I retire soon.

Dear Gloria, So kind of you to write in with such kindness. I will pass your message along to Rory. I agree with every single word you wrote -- he and Cindy are extraordinary folks. Their strength this year has been a model lesson to me. I know that Rory's colleagues at work were WONDERFUL during Joel's illness, and I'm sure you were one of the folks he was talking about. So, from me to you, thanks. Cheers, Mark C. (PS Hope you don't "get retired" TOO soon, if you know what I mean...those books can wait.)

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Mark: If you may remember back to your early days in Bham living on 29th st in apts cut from a home owned by a dried up old eccentric living in the basement, I was a neighbor. I had a beautiful long-legged blonde living with me, and just having been out of the usmc for a short while, was trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Twenty seven years, 3 wives, one child, and many grey hairs later, guess what? Love your stuff- Jack Smith

Hi Jack! Wow another trip down Memory Lane! Yes indeed I do remember that house, and that lady, and I think "eccentric" is rather a nice choice of words for her. "Nudist" also comes to mind (that's why I moved out! An early example of Too Much information.) I played a lot of "Some Girls!" Sounds like you've had a great life, hope we cross paths sometime. Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you have continued to entertain long-legged blondes with alacrity. Cheers! Mark C

Hey Mark, Just thought I would reassure Bennett in NOLA (see below)...the Florabama will rise again. Their website does have photos of Ivan's damage. Sure was a fun place to party and will be again! It may be like Lafittes when redone, but I'm sure it won't take long for the party to get the place back to it's dive "splendor". Maria, a true GRITS in WA..the land of red hot mountains!

Hey, Maria, I am SO tickled to now see people talking to each other through my website about crucial issues like the Florabama! May she rise from the sands! Cheers, Mark C.

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Hey Mark. Recently went to Centre, Alabama with some friends for a week-long stay at their lake house. Before I left, I ran by our library and checked out "Crazy in Alabama..." as it seemed appropriate for our trip. Loved it, Loved it, Loved it! My husband is reading it now and frequently laughs out loud and then says, "Good God." You're on our shelf of southern fiction and we're heading to the bookstore for more. There really is nothing like growing up in the south and then writing about it! I'd love to get some of my kinfolk-inspired characters out of my head and on paper someday. Kelley in South Carolina

Hey Kelley, Thanks for writing in. I've actually spent some fine time in Centre and playing around on Lake Weiss -- a fine lady I know used to be the mayor of that town! Now take that library copy back so you don't pay a late fine, then if the bookstore doesn't have any, come back here and click on the Amazon button to order copies for all your friends! Shameless author plug. This site is supported by your nickels! Thanks again for enjoying the story. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hey Mark, Big fan. Got to thinking about losing the Florabama Bar to Hurricane Ivan which then made me think about Alabama and then Crazy in Alabama and then decided to see if you had a web site. Sad thing to lose the Florabama. Now that Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is totally redone and the Florabama is history, the South has lost two of its most inspiring watering holes. Damn shame. Anyway, saw on your web site that you are living in New York and New Orleans. We live Uptown (N.O., not N.Y.)so welcome to town. Hope to run into you sometime. Bennett Davis, New Orleans

Hey Bennett, Thanks for writing. Did you see the NY Times referring to the "Floribama?" Well, I've seen conflicting reports, but it seems the Florabama may still be there -- at least good portions of it -- buried, Sphinx-like, under the sand. It will rise again, question is how ratty will it be? But in N.O. I live mere blocks from Lafitte's, and you're right about the redo. We loved shooting a scene from the movie "Crazy" there and thought we had guaranteed its place in falling-down history. At least the original grunge is preserved on DVD. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hello Mark: I read all your novels, bought three, and still own two. I recommend Tender and Crazy to anyone who shows any interest in reading great writing and wonderful storytelling. I also tell them: hell no, I'm not going to lend you mine - go buy one and send a few bucks his way. (Actually I did lend a copy of Crazy to someone, but promptly went out and bought another copy for myself, knowing full well that it was not going to be returned without a fight.) We are the same age and your excerpt of One Mississippi brings back a lot of memories. If anyone can transform the silliness of those times into a good read, it's you. If you ever need anyone to critique or proofread drafts, please put me on the list. That would be a blast for me, and of course free for you. Write on, Joe Judge

Hey Joe, Thanks for writing in. I think it shows great stamina and fortitude for you to have made your way through the entire ouevre. Now, of course, I'm dying to know which of the books you thought you could just give away, but .... you've earned the right! I hope as a contemporary that you will like ONE MISSISSIPPI...... you keep reading, and I'll keep writing, okay? Cheers, Mark C.

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Hey from Maine. Just spent the foggy afternoon curled up on the couch reading A WORLD MADE OF FIRE. You knock me out as a writer and have since I read the first chapter of CRAZY IN ALABAMA. You write the way I dream I may, someday. For now the first novel remains unsold ("retired," as the agent says) and the second one bogged down since the retirement. At any rate, I make the Southern writing scene sometimes, going to Sewanee or Southern Writers Reading. Hope to one day study with you or at least shake your hand and tell you in person what a big fan I am. When I logged on your website, it just broke my heart to read about your dear little nephew. My deep condolences to you and your family. How very, very sad. Your fan, Ruth

Hi Ruth, Thanks for your very kind words about Joel, and about my writing. I wish you all the best luck with your own writing ... and I salute anyone laboring in the same scuppernong vineyard. The only place I teach with any regularity is the Community of Writers in Squaw Valley, California, every year in August. Once again, thanks for reading, and writing. Cheers, Mark C.

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Dear Mark, I am so excited to find out you are writing a new book! I have read all of your books. I've turned all of my friends onto your books. Now I have something new to look forward to in the future! Maria Misplaced GRITS from Destin, FL living in the Pacific Northwest

Dear Maria, How in the world a Destin girl could wind up in the land of eternal drizzle and fog, where the water ain't warm enough to drink much less swim in ... well, tragedies do happen. But it's so sweet of you to be my local sales agent! Anyway, thanks so much for reading and don't forget cheese on them grits. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hi Mark: I am so glad that I found this website! I used to work at the University of Virginia Art Museum as a fundraiser and have a friend who is an associate of Hoke Perkins. Anyway, I found out that you attended college together and I had for years thought of writing you. Your book Crazy in Alabama pretty much changed my life. I have never read anything since that has given me such enthusiasm and power to write myself. I somehow through your writing found my own voice and because of your style, have realized that I should take chances with my writing and write my heart out with no apologies. Anyway, I am now working at the University of Virginia as the executive assistant to Rita Dove. I have also read all of your other books and think you are such a talented and remarkable writer. Thank you! Mike

Hi Mike,
Wow. Thank you so much for telling me that. It really is a writer's dream to imagine that you have helped someone else do the thing. Because I think all books are inspired by other books, by the author's love of reading. You should learn a LOT from Rita Dove. Keep writing and I will look forward to reading your work when it's published. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hi Mark: I met you years ago when you were doing a signing for "World Made of Fire" - I believe at Page & Palette in Fairhope. I lived nearby in Daphne at the time, and have followed your career through the years. Oddly enough I'm packing to move tonight, and in so doing I packed up my collection of Mark Childress books. Which got me wondering whether you had a website. And with just a few keystrokes, here I am - visiting you in the virtual world. I'm in Washington DC, now. When you tour for your new book will you make a stop here? It would be great to see you again. All best, Ronnie R.

Hi Ronnie, That is REALLY the olden days. Back when Reagan was in power! So glad you didn't sell your books on E-bay. I would love to come to DC on the next book tour, assuming some publisher is kind enough to want to send me on tour. Thanks for reading. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hey Mark -- I bugged you a couple of weeks ago about when One Mississippi will come out..was going to do a book report on it once I read it...anyway, did the report on Crazy in Al instead...my alltime favorite...and now I see that I'm not the only one that has used that book for school!...too cool. Take care -- Kaye

Hi Kaye, Well, I guess it is better not to do a report on a book I'm still writing. Hope your report turns out okay and you get no demerits for Craziness. Cheers, Mark C.

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Greetings From Birmingham, Mr. Childress! I'm very excited to see you are working on another novel (the bit of preview was wonderful...ah yes, Smarties and The Monkees and all those other neat things of the time like B-B-Bats and Fizzies and that horribly annoying commercial about seeing the USA in your Chevrolet...) I love your books--Crazy in Alabama is one of my favorites, and Gone for Good was tremendously entertaining! Just out of curiosity, who is your favorite author and/or book? Cheryl in AL (Oh, and I think you'll like this: "It will be a great day when the schools get all the money they need--while the army will have to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber."

Hi Cheryl, Please call me Mark! I think that is indeed an admirable sentiment. How many bombers do you think we'd be able to buy from that bake sale? None! Wouldn't that be swell? Mr. Rumsfeld would be up all night baking his famous magic brownies. And then he could finally ... just ... relax! Listen, thanks for the kind words on my work. Hmmm ... favorite author or book is really hard to pinpoint. Lately I've been rereading the short hilarious novels of Barry Hannah, my teacher, friend, and mentor ... he has a wild absolutely unmistakeable voice. Check out RAY or AIRSHIPS or HEY JACK or CAPTAIN MAXIMUS ... or GERONIMO REX...cheers, Mark C.

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Hi Mark, I'm writing a senior research paper comparing To Kill a Mockingbird and Crazy in Alabama, and what would be a better reference than one written by one of the authors. So, do you feel that they are similar and what do you think about Monroeville made the two of you produce such similar books. Also, if there's anything else that you have to say on the subject I would love to hear it, Thanks so much, bribeck22@yahoo.com

Hi...I love "To Kill A Mockingbird." The beautiful portrait of 1930s Alabama life has been an inspiration to me for my entire writing life. "Crazy" takes place twenty-five or thirty years later, in the summer of 1965, at a time when racial change was exploding everywhere. Themes that were submerged in the 1930s were boiling on the surface in the 1960s. Although I am honored for you to compare my book to Harper Lee's masterpiece, I think the similarities are more on the surface, and also there are plenty of differences down deep. Definitely we share the single great theme of racial injustice, which must be front and center in any truthful work about Alabama. Good luck on your paper.... cheers, Mark C.

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Hi Mark Childress, this is the second time that I do Crazy in Alabama with an advanced English course over here in Germany. It´s just wonderful to work with a book that is ENJOYED by students, who voluntarily read it and work with it. Do you think it´s possible that they contact you via internet and ask you some questions? That would be hilarious! Oh, by the way, it´s absolutely enjoyable to work with your book for the teacher as well, LOL! It would be great if you saw a chance of a contact. Love from Germany Katja Schaller

Hi Katja, I love my readers all over the world. It's a thrill to hear that someone is actually enjoying reading my book as a part of the studies. By all means have them contact me and we'll get those questions answered. Cheers! Mark C.

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Hello, there! I'm listening to last couple of chapters of Crazy in AL- that is where the whole book-on-cd thing breaks down: now that my road trip is over I have to come up with excuses to ride around at length in the car. I have really enjoyed your method of presenting the book, especially the Civil Rights movement, from a child's perspective. You've captured that perfectly. Wow- GREAT book! Thank you- Jen, Dayton, OH

Hi Jen! Thanks for writing. I'm especially delighted to hear from Dayton folks, since I went to kindergarten and first grade there! Anyway, glad you enjoyed hearing the audiobook. Don't forget it's rather heavily abridged, so if you want to get the REST of the story, you'll have to read the whole thing! cheers, Mark C.

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Hi there Mr. Mark, Miss Kinkead here - long time no see. In case you forget I am the old friend from another time and place who was once smoked out of your apartment in S.F. Aint the internet grand, I have come across you while looking to see if you had written a new book. Do you wish you still had the mean lean black machine? The T-Bird, Love You Still - E.

Hello Madame E., How wonderful to hear from you. So glad you are here to remind me of the dear departed Bird, which has cost its new owner a pretty penny, I am sure. You and I were witness to a departed age, another world altogether. But we'll always have Key West... xoxoxo, MC (Mr. Cryptic)

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Hi Mark, I'm a big fan of your work, and love the wit of your website as well. Noticed one of your books had a blurb from your neighbor, Harper Lee. Had you known her growing up? How hard was it to get the blurb from her? --woodleighl@aol.com

Hi Woodleighl! Thanks for the kind words and thanks for visiting. Actually I have never met Miss Lee, although my father knows her sister. I know her novel very well, of course -- it's a true inspiration. And the praise for my first novel came unsolicited in a very sweet letter she wrote just after it was published. Hope you keep reading! Cheers, MC

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Greetings from the paranoia capital (DC). Looking forward to One Mississippi...say hi to your bros from my bro and me. Karnac

O Magnificent Kärnac, Just because they're päranoid doesn't mean the "president" isn't out to get us. I will päss along the message to my bros. As for "One Mississippi," wouldn't you cäre to come finish it for me? Love, MC

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Hey Mark, Just doing some site jumping from the Mallet site and ended up here. My daughter loved "Crazy"... wow... generational thing going now! Charles, Joel, and Dr. Rocket Dave would love to hear from you in Atlanta. Don Harrison

Hey Don! Wow, this is turning into the Mallet reunion around here. Just stay out of the FUBAR shaft and you will be fine. But could you please get Muncie to turn down the freakin Elton John? (Old college humor) cheers, MC

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Hey Mark,
This is Cindy, your cousin-in-law....keep up the good work! And as for the person talking about your bin....I think you have a nice view as far as that goes in NY, but it is better in Alabama!
See ya, Cindy

Hey Cindy,
Always good to hear from family...I would never try to compare the views in Alabama and NYC. Now that the lights are back on, NY feels fine! Say hey to everybody down there....
xoxoxo Mark C.

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So, I guess Monroeville isn't expecting to produce any more writers since I don't see much place on that bench for more names. Love to you. Goat

Dear Goat, I think they broke the mold once they made Harper and Truman, the other esteemed writers of Monroeville, and me! But if they wanna add more names, there's plenty of white space on the current model. Cheers, Mark C.

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Is it possible to buy the script for "Crazy in Alabama"? I could not find it, and the bookstore says they could not find it.

Hi, Nope, sorry, the screenplay for the "Crazy" movie has not been published. For now all we can offer is the DVD or VHS tape of the film. Thanks for asking, though. Mark C.

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Hey Mark! Discovered your Books 3 Weeks ago because I´m a big Elvis Fan-Yesterday I finished Crazy in Alabama and read the other ones in between. I love them. Will you write the second part of the Elvis Story? Jonathan Germay Düsseldorf

Hi Jonathan, Thanks for reading. I am so happy to hear from new friends in Germany, and Dusseldorf (sorry don't have umlauts on my keyboard) is one cool town. I'm glad THE KING led you to my other work. There haven't been any publishers beating down the door for Tender 2 -- although I never say never -- but wait, I just did. Truly I thought his life until he came out of the Army was fascinating....the story of decline much less so. Anyway, maybe someday. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hay Mark! Can't wait for One Mississippi. I love your books and your gift for story telling. Can't decide which one is my favorite. Crazy in Alabama was hilarious. Guess I'll have to take them all. Thanks for carrying me away to those special times and other places. Ron, Oakland California

Hi Ron, Thanks for the kind remarks. I love Oakland, and that other city by the Bay. I never know which of my "children" is my favorite, either. Oddly enough, I tend to like the ones that gave me the most trouble. Thank you for reading.
cheers, Mark C.

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Dear Mark, we are an 11th grade class from Regensburg, Germany. In our English lessons we have read your novel "Crazy in Alabama" and we enjoyed it very much. Your imagination and your style of writing are really great. We also watched the movie, but we think that the book is much better. You used more details and so it is easier to imagine the characters' feelings and the intention of the story. We also wanted to ask you two questions: - do you identify yourself with a character of the novel? - is there any connection to your own childhood? Keep up your good work. We wish you a lot of success for the future. class 11 a, Albertus Magnus Gymnasium, Regensburg, Germany.

Hi Guys! Prost to you!
I am so happy that your teacher has assigned you to study "Crazy in Alabama," because presumably that means each and every one of you had to buy a copy! That's cool! The movie adaptation of a novel is almost invariably disappointing to fans of the novel, because the act of condensing a long story for the short format of a screenplay inevitably simplifies and streamlines the narrative. I was very proud of our movie, but I understand those who like the book better. Sometimes it is more fun just to imagine the characters in your head. Now, in answer to your questions: 1/ All of the characters in the novel are a part of me. Even the bad guys. This may sound evasive but in fact it's the absolute truth -- while I'm writing a book, I get to BE each character, see life through his eyes. Part of what's fun about writing fiction is trying on alternate personas. And 2/ Lots of small and large details are lifted from my life, but usually they're changed to confuse the guilty, and to make them fit the story better. I spent summers with my grandmother in Alabama, and I did have two uncles in the funeral business. Beyond that, the story is mostly fiction! Thanks again for reading, folks. Cheers, Mark C.

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Hi Mark, Did you by any chance go to first grade in Kettering, OH, at a school called J.E. Prass Elementary? If so, I was in that class with you! If you're the same Mark Childress, where can I write to you? Susan Reef Stafford

Hi Susan, Yes, that was me! I have some very fuzzy memories of first grade but I'm glad to know somebody was wider awake than I.....so great to hear from you. (Glad you found the email link)....cheers, Mark C.

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Hi Mark, Just found the site. I am a long time fan and now I have a way to keep up on your latest writings. I'm sure you get this question alot but do you know when your next book will be out? Charlie

Hey Charlie! Thanks for writing in -- and especially, thanks for reading! I'm still hard at work on ONE MISSISSIPPI so I know it won't be out this year, anyway. Maybe in 2004? Just in time for the defeat of George W. Bush? I can dream, can't I? Cheers, Mark C.

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hey marko, its always nice to log in just to see your mug. and mine. hope all is well. xo billy

Yo Billy, I'll meet you down at the Mar y Sombra for some brewskis if you don't have to go pick up potatoes......Karola's 4-Ever!! Cheers, Marko

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Mark, when will we get the pleasure of reading "One Mississippi"? 5 years between books is too long for such a big fan! Love your work. Hate the wait! GB

Hey GB,Thanks for the kind words. And thanks especially for reading. Sorry for the long wait but remember I was busy working on that movie for a while in there, too. Still, I am the first to admit I am a very sloooooow writer. I hear what you're saying and will go back to work now! Cheers, Mark C.

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your house is not very nice my bin is better. Anon.

Well, that's because I am but a poor author, not an agent. Where is your "bin?" Mark C.

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Can you e-mail me a analyzes of your book. Crazy in Alabama. Silverbulletstrackteam@yahoo.com

Huh? Sincerely, Mark C.

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I loved Crazy in Alabama. Lucille was the greatest character. How did you ever come up with the crazy idea of the head talking from the hat box? I loved it. I am a long distance trucker and listen to your books on tape. I never stopped laughing from Miami to Maine.

Hey Trucker, I'm thrilled to know you're reading my book instead of keeping your eye on the road. (I know, I know....) Anyway, in answer to the question how did I come up with the idea -- Chester's head basically presented itself to me and Meemaw at the same moment. I.E., I had no idea. And I still don't. Thanks for reading, Mark C.

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Nice work. Best wishes, Bharath

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Hello Mark, good job in C I A. I had a great time reading it. Thanks. Anonymous

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Hi there, just came across this site and i’m sooo glad I did. Your books are very hard to find here in Málaga, Spain, but I got a couple of Spanish translations (‘Crazy’ and ‘Tender’) , and had to order the rest on the Internet (god bless amazon.com). I can scan the Spanish covers for you in case you were interested. The site is beautiful and better than the previous one. Anyway, forgive my English, hope your Spanish is better. :) Keep up the good work. Silvia K. Mateo. I have a Pat Conroy fan site, www. geocities. com/lowenstein1992/ Hope you enjoy it. Bye.

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Hey Mark! Hope you are doing well. Greetings from your past, Tim Powell

Yo Tim! Mallet forever dude.

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Either that wallpaper goes or I go. -- Oscar Wilde

...AND THAT'S WHERE THE WEBSITE BEGAN!