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I’m ditching my word for the year 2026 because New York Times bestselling author Tayari Jones told me I should.
On Sunday, March 15, 2026, I had the honor of moderating a discussion and Q&A with Jones when she visited Birmingham as part of her national book tour for her new novel Kin, which debuted #3 on the New York Times Bestseller list and is an Oprah’s Book Club pick. (You can read highlights from the discussion in The Birmingham Times.)
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On Sunday, February 22, I had the chance to attend the Third Annual Eat & Greet event, hosted by popular content creator LaDarrius “LHUT” Hutcherson.
The event was a celebration of LHUT’s debut book, Bloom Where You’re Planted, which tells his story and how he is building the life of his dreams, growing his influence, and making an impact all in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. (Learn more about LHUT’s book in my latest article for The Birmingham Times.)
But LHUT told me that he wanted this year’s Eat & Greet event to inspire attendees to bloom where they’ve been planted, too.
So, while the event served up delicious food and drinks, LHUT wanted attendees to fill up on nuggets of wisdom too. And so much of what was shared by LHUT and other guest speakers were words I felt writers especially need to hear.
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If you’re a writer in the Birmingham area looking to hang out with people who love words as much as you do, See Jane Write has you covered.
Here are writerly events in Birmingham going down this month.
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Southbound Food Festival brought ten days of culture and culinary delight to Birmingham, Alabama from September 19-28. Because I’ve been such a busy bee lately, I was out of town for most of this year’s activities, unfortunately. But I couldn’t miss Rooted: Women in Food, which was held on Saturday, September 20 at the Market at Pepper Place. Not only was the market packed with female artisans, but there were cooking demos from female chefs, book signings, panel discussions and more.
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The 27th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, Alabama, is in full swing. Opening night of Sidewalk weekend is tonight – Friday, August 22 – but I’ve been trying to #sidewalksohard since Monday – attending spotlight nights, which highlight some of the must-see shorts and feature-length films in the following categories: Alabama Shorts (films by or about Alabamians), Life & Liberty (films that explore a number of issues related to the human condition), SHOUT (films that center the LGBTQ+ experience), and Black Lens (films that center Black culture and issues).
This week I also had the chance to interview Lauren Melinda, writer and director of Before You, a short film that follows a couple in the wake of a decision they never thought they’d have to make: ending a planned pregnancy. Before You, which stars Tony-nominated actress Tala Ashe and features Adam Rodriguez, will screen on Saturday, August 23rd at 8 pm, as part of the Sidewalk Film Festival. In addition to the screening, Melinda and her team have also helped organize a panel conversation at the festival on Sunday, August 24th at 5 pm, which will feature filmmakers and local advocates discussing the role that film plays in the fight for reproductive justice.
The opening night film, Stolen Kingdom, delves into the irreverent world of YouTubers, ‘urban explorers’, and other misfits who investigate the forbidden off-limits locations behind the scenes at the Orlando Disney theme parks. The film reveals that “bad things happen at the happiest place on Earth!”
For my fellow writers, there are three films screening this weekend that feel made especially for us word nerds. While I think all films can help make us better storytellers, these films take that a bit further.
Here are three 27th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival picks for writers:
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