On Friday, June 24th at 6 pm, author Mary Dixie Carter will speak at the Mark Twain Library’s Annual Meeting, which is held each June to report on the Library’s operations and services as well as elect new board members.
Mary Dixie was invited to entertain and enlighten attendees this year after Virginia “Ginny” Keim, who is a member of the Library’s Leadership Society, heard her present her debut novel The Photographer at New York’s noted literary guild, The Lotos Club.
“I was entranced by her,” remembers Ginny. “She is so engaging, and it was such a thrill to hear her talk about how the book came to life.” Ginny thought the book was so riveting, she read it in two sittings. “I was talking to her afterward and I thought ‘this is the kind of book my friends in Redding would like to read and wouldn’t it be nice for her to come to Connecticut.’”
It turns out Mary Dixie didn’t have to come far since she has a house in Connecticut. That’s just one of the connections Ginny felt made Mary Dixie’s invite to the Library in Redding that much more apropos.
Mary Dixie Carter’s debut novel The Photographer was named a Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of 2021. Her writing has appeared in TIME, The Economist, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Chicago Tribune, The New York Observer and other print and online publications. She worked at The Observer for five years, where she served as the publishing director. In addition to writing, she also has a background as a professional actor. Mary Dixie graduated from Harvard College with an honors degree in English Literature and holds an MFA from The New School. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
The Mark Twain Library is owned by the Mark Twain Library Association. It was founded in 1908 by Samuel Clemens – Mark Twain himself – one of Redding’s most celebrated residents. Visit www.marktwainlibrary.org, for more information.
Mary Dixie Carter is the daughter of “Designing Women” star Dixie Carter and the step-daughter of actor Hal Holbrook – who famously portrayed Library founder, Mark Twain on the stage. Mary Dixie Carter trained as an actor herself, mainly working in theater, before focusing on writing. She also worked as a journalist for a time as a publishing director at the New York Observer, which was founded by her father. Mary Dixie credits both her acting and journalism experience for giving her the tools to become a successful novelist.
For those interested in learning more about Mary Dixie Carter’s work, Library Director Erin Dummeyer will be hosting a book discussion on The Photographer on Thursday, June 23 at 1 pm at the Library. Both e-books and print books are available at the Library. Registration is limited to 25 people. Erin will be holding a lively discussion and encourages everyone to attend, even those who have not yet read it but are just curious to learn more about the book and its author.
Register for the book discussion online or call the Library at 203-938-2545 for information.