‘Bayou Farewell’ author to headline LSUS event
03/08/04

Mike Tidwell, four-time Lowell Thomas Award winner, will be the featured author at the 13th annual Authors in April at noon on Saturday, April 3, at Shreveport Country Club. In his latest book, Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Coastal Louisiana, Tidwell details one of the most disturbing, yet fascinating phenomena in America – the vanishing marshlands of the Louisiana coast and the impact of that loss on the Cajun culture of the bayou folk who live and work in the fishing communities dotting the 6,000 square miles of coastal wetlands.

Bestselling author James Lee Burke said Bayou Farewell is “stunningly, beautifully written, the best book on Louisiana I have ever read.” Rick Bragg, Authors in April speaker in 2001, said, “From the healer who cures a baby with smoke to the fishermen and shrimpers who have risked their lives for decades only now to see a whole way of life threatened, Bayou Farewell is a sad, beautiful, and compelling Journey.”

Locals and environmentalists serve as Tidwell’s guide through the wetlands. He suggests a practical process for reversing the ruin which could serve as a model for other areas with similar problems. This process will take “political courage and creative cooperation” - and haste, for an acre of solid ground turns to water every 20 minutes.

Tidwell is the author of four previous books, including The Ponds of Kalambaya, a memoir of his sojourn in Africa with the Peace Corps, and Amazon Stranger, a chronicle of his journeys through the Amazon rain forest. Books will be available for purchase and signing at all Authors in April events.

Authors in April is an annual benefit for the Pioneer Heritage Center at LSUS.

The luncheon, priced at $40 ($20 of which is a donation to the Center), will be at the Shreveport Country Club at noon, Saturday, April 3, 2004. Invitations for reservations are available by calling the Center’s office, 318-797-5332 or 318-797-5339.

In addition to the luncheon, Tidwell will conduct a writers’ workshop for LSUS students, faculty, and community guests on Friday, at the LSUS Noel Memorial Library. There is no fee, but pre-registration is necessary, as space is limited. To pre-register, call 318-797-5332.

Authors in April Contacts:

Dr. Marguerite R. Plummer, Director, LSUS Pioneer Heritage Center
318-797-5332 (office); 318-797-5237 (fax); mplummer@lsus.edu

Marty Young, Assistant Director, LSUS Pioneer Heritage Center
318-797-5339 (office); 318-797-5110 (fax); myoung@lsus.edu

Pamela Mullin, publicist, Random House (author’s picture; bio)
212-572-2854 pmullin@randomhouse.com

Sarah Hutson, publicist, Random House (paperback)
shutson@randomhouse.com