Hello, Cleveland!
and some photos from my southern book tour
After a week spent driving alone through Atlanta, Athens, Tuscaloosa, Memphis (with an all-day detour through rural Mississippi), and Nashville, and a week-long work trip to London, I’m a bit tired. So let’s make today’s post more of a photo essay.
My southern book tour was a wonderful experience. I met some great people, visited two of my favorite record stores, enjoyed some great meals, and I saw zero confederate flags. Here are some highlights:
I’m thrilled to visit Cleveland this Friday and have a conversation with the musician and writer RA Washington. RA reviewed My Life in the Sunshine for the Cleveland Review of Books and I have to admit, I think he understands my book even better than I do. I can’t wait to meet in person. My favorite quote:
Within these passages, and in tandem with his story of self, Ayers gives the reader a reflection of the times, frequently acting as a historian and ethnomusicologist. While captivating in their detail, these moments explode expectations of memoir as a genre and eloquently weave a personal story through space and time. Read the full review here.
My book tour doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Below is the schedule so far, and there’s more coming together (Minneapolis! Tokyo!?). Details and updates can always be found HERE.
Fri Mar 10: Cleveland, OH @ Third Space Action Lab / in conversation with RA Washington. 6pm
Thurs Mar 16: Austin, TX @ SXSW / moderating Valerie June’s keynote. 4pm (+ 2:30pm signing in the Austin Convention Center bookstore)
Thurs Mar 16: Austin, TX @ Vintage Books and Wine / in conversation with David Wright Falade. 7pm
Wed Mar 22: New York, NY @ the New York Society Library / in conversation with Jami Floyd. 6pm
Fri Mar 24: Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Festival / in conversation with Margo Price about both of our books. 12:30pm
Tue Mar 28: Rancho Mirage, CA @ Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. 2pm
Sat Apr 22 : Washington, DC @ City-State Brewing / in conversation with Chad Clark (Beauty Pill).
My memoir My Life in the Sunshine is out now. I’d love it if you picked up a copy at your local independent bookstore. It’s also available at all the big places, and for your Kindle as well. There’s an audiobook that I spent 20 hours of my life reading (it’ll only take 7 hours to listen). You can listen to the 5-minute intro for free on Spotify.
I hope to see you somewhere soon.
Nabil Ayers / Brooklyn