I’m tickled to death to announce to y’all that my book, They Call Me Orange Juice, is out!
Available in hardcover and paperback, it is a collection of what I think are the best of the best of my early essays. Some are funny. Some are poignant. And all come straight from my heart to you. Get your copy today!
Here’s the official description:
From the time she could barely see over the space bar of her old manual typewriter, to writing her popular southern culture blog, Folkways Nowadays, author Audrey McDonald Atkins has been sharing her downhome stories and essays about life in the South.
In They Call Me Orange Juice, Atkins provides a nostalgic, poignant, and often-hilarious look at growing up in a small South Alabama town and how that upbringing still influences her today. What does it feel like to be the only Episcopalian at a Baptist church? How do you entertain yourself on a two-hour car trip with a dead man? What do you do when your foundation garment goes rogue in the middle of a busy intersection? And what price did they pay for calling her “orange juice”?
Atkins answers all these questions and more in her own unmistakable Southern style. She recounts stories about the men who congregated in the police station and the eccentric characters who worked on Main Street, shares words of wisdom from her Granny, and tells how one superstitious old man could literally make it rain even during the dry, dog days of summer. Each person still lives in Atkins’ memory frozen in time just as they were in the 70s, and it’s these ghosts of bygone days who shine through in They Call Me Orange Juice.
I’d like to thank several people without whom this project would never have come to fruition, and the first is my awesomely talented friend Maya Metz Logue who drew the cover art and all of the interior illustrations. You can see her portfolio here.
I am much obliged to Lee Dunnie, the photographer who always makes me look like a million bucks. He works some mighty magic from behind the lens. You can see more of his pictures on Facebook right here.
Much appreciation goes to William Dahlberg, Anastasia Ferrell, and Krista Rataj for eyeballing this work critically and without reservation and telling me the absolute hard truths about what worked and what didn’t. Everyone should have friends like this!
Thank you to my dear, sweet husband who’s my editor and my champion. He has exhibited infinite patience with me and total confidence in me while I’ve obsessed over every detail of this project for two years. For all that and so much more, I’m forever thankful.
And last, but certainly not least, I’d like to recognize my Sonny Boy who both inspires my creativity and challenges me to do better as he hauls me kicking and screaming outside of the box.
Where can you get your copy?
If you’re in the Birmingham area, I’d like to encourage you to purchase your copy from one of our local booksellers. Ask for They Call Me Orange Juice at:
Little Professor Book Center
2844 18th Street South
Homewood, Alabama 35209
(205) 870-7461
and
Church Street Coffee & Books
81 Church Street
Mountain Brook, AL 35213
(205) 870-1117
If you’re in my hometown of Citronelle, Ala., you can pick one up at:
Jeanna’s Flower Shop
19245 N 3rd Street
Citronelle, AL 36522
(251) 866-9775
Or you can order a copy from Amazon.
But if you see me around town, I’ll likely have some copies with me.
If you are a retailer and would like to purchase copies, please email channelsales@authorsolutions.com or call 317-454-0544 x5022 for information on how to order copies of the book for your store.
And my final thank you goes to YOU! Without readers, the stories that are in my head would be lifeless words on the page. Thank you for giving me the gift of your time; for your laughter and tears; for every single like, share, and comment; and for your unfailing support. I am truly grateful.
Congratulations! Hope you sell a million
Thank you! Me too! 😁🍊
OMG, Holy Hannah and Katie, Bar the Door! She’s a published author!! Yippee and I want AUTOGRAPHED COPIES!!!
Thank you, friend!! I’d be honored to sign how ever many you want!!
Wow! Can’t wait to read this!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
Audrey,
Congratulations!!! What an accomplishment to see a dream thru to completion! Kudos!
Your writing is always thought provoking and heartwarming. I look forward to reading this first in what I’m sure is going to be a long series of publications for you.
You cover design is clean and inviting. Your author’s photo is perfect. You have chosen wonderful shops to sell your book. This is going to be a wonderful success for you!
We celebrate your accomplishment. Savor this moment. These moments are too few in this life.
All the best,
Von
Von, thank you very much for all of your kind words and for the part you played in capturing that perfect photo!!