Welcome to Aberjhani's Bright Skylark Literary Productions



LITERARY SAVANNAH (edited by Patrick Allen)

Featuring Aberjhani's famous poem, "Return to Savannah," Hill Street Press's LITERARY SAVANNAH was one of the first in a series of historical literary anthologies published by the company. The cover boasts a rare attractive antique lithograph of this favorite destination for tourists. Savannah hosts millions of visitors every year and in 2006 began a major program to reinterpret the history and nature of slavery in the city.

A CITY OF ENDURING MYSTERY AND BEAUTY

LITERARY SAVANNAH is the first literary guide to the city America has come to love through MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL.

"The statues of Savannah's Monument Square are silent. The statue of the solemn girl in Bonaventure Cemetery—made famous in John Berendt's blockbuster book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil—can't speak. Only Savannah's literary monuments can give voice to the rich and diverse history of one of America's greatest cities; one that has for centuries inspired fascination worldwide.

"Many have written about Savannah, but few have captured the true spirit of southern grace most often associated with her history as well as the mysteries and humor that await behind the walled gardens and gated homes. Whether born there or simply passing through, Savannah is a town that has inspired writers for centuries and, at last, in Literary Savannah the city's story is told."
By Patrick Allen, editor


TABLE OF CONTENTS

From An account of Carolina and Georgia / James Oglethorpe --Origin legend of the Creek people / Chekilli -- From On love / John Wesley -- From The interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African / Olaudah Equiano -- Letter to Savannah's Hebrew congregation / George Washington -- From Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida / William Bartram -- The lament of the captive / Richard Henry Wilde -- From Pleasure and pain : reminiscences of Georgia in the 1840s / Emily Pillsbury Burke -- Letter to Kate Perry / William Makepeace Thackeray -- Sut blown up with soda / George Washington Harris -- From Fast and loose in Dixie / J. Madison Drake -- From Treasure Island / Robert Louis Stevenson -- From The memoirs of Gen. W. T. Sherman, written by himself / General William Tecumseh Sherman -- The cotton gin / Joel Chandler Harris -- From The American scene / Henry James -- From Thousand mile walk to the Gulf / John Muir -- Savannah twice visited / William Dean Howells -- Memories of my girlhood / Juliette Gordon Low -- Adrift in Georgia : Savannah / Sherwood Anderson / Foreword to Harrriet Ross Colquitt's The Savannah cook book / Ogden Nash -- From The damned don't cry / Harry Hervey -- Strange moonlight / Conrad Aiken -- The king of the birds / Flannery O'Connor -- From A matter of vocabulary / James Alan McPherson -- From Beulah Land / Lonnie Coleman -- From A lion's share / Mark Steadman -- Untitled song lyric / Johnny Mercer -- From Halloween / Ben Geer -- Madeira and moonshine / Alexander A. Lawrence -- The haunted library / Margaret Wayt DeBolt -- From Sleeping with soldiers / Rosemary Daniell -- From The distant lands / Julien Green -- From The dangerous lives of altar boys / Chris Fuhrman --From Midnight in the garden of good and evil : a Savannah story / John Berendt -- Gambling, liquor, and vice / Tom Coffey -- The death of Tomochichi / Ja J. Jahannes -- Return to Savannah / Aberjhani.

THE NEW CROP OF SAVANNAH'S LITERATI

What will attract buyers to LITERARY SAVANNAH will probably be the rich collection of stories and bon mots by the cream of Savannah's local and living (kicking and screaming) literati. The wry, slightly wicked, Tom Coffey is not omitted from these pages, nor is Rosemary Danielle who celebrates Savannah's over-the-top quality in an excerpt from 'Sleeping with Soldiers.'

"Margaret Wayt DeBolt's entry 'The Haunted Library' will interest devotees of the supernatural. And local poet and story teller Aberjhani is a presence with his contribution, 'RETURN TO SAVANNAH.'

"Though there's little subversion present in the pages of LITERARY SAVANNAH, Ja A. Jahannes does provide a surprisingly pointed comment on the exploitation and subsequent historical revisionism of the Yamacraw Indians which is not just good protest, but also beautiful and powerful poetry."
--Lynn Hamilton, CREATIVE LOAFING

FIVE STAR REVIEW ON AMAZON.COM

"This book is exceptionally well done and brings all the facets of a Southern Gem - Savannah - together in one book. For anyone who loves the old South, I would strongly suggest this book. The compilation of stories show a rich wonderful city that has had its own share of joy and sorrow. The editor did a wonderful job pulling literary tones together in a unique and complimentary fashion, sounding a true lyrical tribute. My favorite stories are by Conrad Aiken and Flannery O'Connor. The description of Savannah by James Ogelthorpe is astonishing. The piece that stole my heart , however, was written by Aberjhani entitled "Return to Savannah." The voice of the poet moves the words straight to the core of the reader."
--Amazon.com Reviewer



Gift Books We Love Giving and Receiving

Nonfiction
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
“Celebrate Harlem’s past and present with Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance.”

--ESSENCE
Magazine
THE WISDOM OF W.E.B. DU BOIS
“Readers have praised this superlative book for the author’s intelligent and informative writing.”
--Biblio.com
Art and Poetry
ELEMENTAL, THE POWER OF ILLUMINATED LOVE
A brilliantly painted journey through the art of Luther E. Vann with accompanying text by Aberjhani and guest authors.
Fantasy Fiction
CHRISTMAS WHEN MUSIC ALMOST KILLED THE WORLD
A rock and roll metaphysical fantasy set in the Deep South, this is one extraordinary novel.
Literary fiction and poetry
I MADE MY BOY OUT OF POETRY
An inspired celebration of spirituality, the music of language, and the power of dreams.
Literary Historical Anthology
LITERARY SAVANNAH (edited by Patrick Allen)
An exceptional historical literary anthology featuring writings by natives of and visitors to Savannah, from founding father George Washington to modern award-winning author Aberjhani.
Poems by Aberjhani
THE BRIDGE OF SILVER WINGS
A poetic flight into the exploration of how human beings manage, or sometimes fail to manage, the transition from imminent personal destruction to unaccountable personal victory.
Short Fiction and Poetry
VISIONS OF A SKYLARK DRESSED IN BLACK
VISIONS OF A SKYLARK DRESSED IN BLACK is a one of kind literary feast that includes a meta-fictional novella and critically acclaimed profiles and tributes in poetry to such historical greats as Coretta Scott King, Langston Hughes, Gordon Parks, and the great city of New Orleans.
SPOKEN WORD MUSIC CD
The Goddess and the Skylark, Dancing Through the Word Labyrinth
“These are some of the most talented people in urban poetry today, and I think you'd be missing something huge if you don't get yourself a copy, now.”-- Poet William F. DeVault
Travel and History
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE WAY DOWN SOUTH
Is it possible to take a tour of New York’s famed Harlem Renaissance way down in Savannah, Georgia? It is when you learn just how much of the celebrated Renaissance got its cultural start in the South.



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