We Call Ourselves The Lit Chicks No-o-o, it’s not what you think. We are all sober, dignified (well, for the most part) ladies. LIT refers to our common bond - a Literary Interest. More specifically, we are all Authors, Wordsmiths. Last fall (2005), several of us met and agreed we needed a literary support group – a critique group. That idea became a reality when five of us local Authors began meeting once a month.  Gay Martin, a well-known, well-established Food and Travel Author; Shirley Mitchell, an author who not only writes about making the most of life at any age, but one who lives out her words; Alice Duckett, formerly from Albertville, now living in Anniston, has written for several newspapers, including the Gadsden Times; Lori Boatfield, a talented Essayist and a great novelist-in-the-making; and yours truly, Barbara Eubanks, an Author who blends devotions with humor and a Christian humorist who tells audiences that God wants them to be happy, bring a plethora of ideas and interesting pieces of writing to each meeting. We have found great strength and encouragement for our individual literary endeavors and development for our talents by listening to and sharing with each other.                                                      Lori Boatfield, Alice Duckett, Shirley W. Mitchell, Gay Martin, Barbara Eubanks No group of Southern ladies can have a meeting without involving food. The Lit Chicks are no different. As we rotate the site of our meeting among the homes of the members, we not only look forward to being sounding-boards for each others work-in-progress, but we delight in and look forward to the great refreshments (which now have evolved into full gourmet meals) the hostess provides.How nice it is to have this comfortable haven to freely share successes without appearing braggadocios, to unburden stresses and personal crises without being labeled whiners, to criticize without being mean-spirited, and to accept criticisms with great appreciation, for these are the stones on which we sharpen our writing skills!                                                                                  And The Lit Chicks Write On...!

Shirley W. Mitchell "The Golden Egg of Agng " - My mission is to encourage women 50 years and older to "Age Outside the Box with Power, Style and Vitality" through the Power of Jesus Christ. Soar to New Heights of Excellence and Capture the Essence of Your Life... I am a National Author/Columnist/Speaker and Celebrity Radio Talk Show Host, having published 5 books - The Christian Writer's Diary, The Beauty of Being God's Woman, Spiritual Sparks for Busy Women, and my two current ones we are promoting, "Fabulous after 50-Finding Fulfillment for Tomorrow" and "Sensational after 60-Loving Life All Over Again"; and a Co-Author of 3 books, "Love Notes for Mom", "Love Notes for Dad" and "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life". I have had a weekly Newspaper Column in the Sand Mountain Reporter for the past 15 years called, "Fabulous after Fifty"; a Syndicated On-Line Column, "Spiritual Sparks for Baby Boomers", a regular Contributing Columnist for Senior Lifestyle Magazine and a Featured Columnist-Writer for Passionate for Life Magazine. Published soon will be a Children's Book, A Women's Planner to match the F & S Series, a Novel, and a Living First Ladies Gift Book. There will also be two more books in the Fabulous and Sensational Inspirational & Motivational Series. Aging Outside the Box -Lighthouse Coastal Productions - ArtistFirst Aging

Alice Duckett has 31 years of teaching experience mostly in Marshall County and Albertville City School Systems of Alabama, and Pensacola,Florida. I have published over 300 articles, features and columns in newspapers and magazines including The Gadsden Times, The Sand Mountain Reporter, The Tribune News, The Islander, The Island Chronicle, Transitions Abroad Travel Magazine, Alabama Wildlife Magazine, Alabama Conservation Magazine, and The Christian Advocate. Having attended numerous writing conferences, I have had the privilege of winning 10 writing awards in competitions around the Southeast. I have been an editor for writing organizations such as the Council of Writers/Journalists and several professional teacher organization newsletters. Currently I am working on a workbook for kids, "From Attics to Basements" - a how-to booklet on compiling Family History. This is going to accompany my programs, "Genealogy from a Christian Perspective" and "Fun with Genealogy for Kids" which I present in churches, at civic organizations, and Calhoun County Genealogy Society meetings. I am also working on a series of nostalgic vignettes about growing up in rural North Georgia. I enjoy presenting stories, readings and special programs in school settings.  Alice Duckett resides in Anniston, Alabama, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her four grandchildren. Alice is the owner of Shadowpurr-r-rPress !

Gay Martin As a student teacher at Albertville High School, I was lucky to have Barbara Eubanks as my supervising teacher," said Gay Martin. "She inspired me (and our students) in the classroom, and she continues to inspire me with her writing. In fact, largely because of her encouraging words, I am now embarking on a fiction project--quite a departure from my usual travel writing." Gay and her husband, Carlton, are looking forward to a trip to Chile and a cruise around the southern tip of South America in a few weeks. Her guidebooks, "Alabama Off the Beaten Path" and "Louisiana Off the Beaten Path" (The Globe Pequot Press) are due out in their 8th editions in late 2006. Visit Gay at Gay Martin Travels...

Barbara Eubanks taught English/Journalism for 35 years, and says "I didn't retire; I simply refired". My first after-teaching goal was to get my first book published. With the Lord's help, that was accomplished Dec. 2004 when "Humorous Happenings in Holy Places" (Tate Publishing) hit the market. Not only did that serve to respark my desire to write, it also opened up a speaking career for me. I've averaged one event a week since then. My second book, "And the Angels Laughed",also published by Tate, is presently in production and should be on the market in another month or two. Not only will the print copies be available, but both will come out soon as audio books. I travel to Mustang, Oklahoma, to the Tate Out-Loud studio the week of August 14th to voice both books. What an exciting time! What supercedes the joy of seeing my own words published is the joy this has brought to my family, especially to my eight grandchildren, who have supplied some of the funny happenings for both books. I've tried my hand, since finishing the two devotional book, writing fiction. I've completed my first novel, A Web Too Tight. At each meeting of The Lit Chicks, I share with them a chapter or two. If the rest of the world meets it with their enthusiasm, it will be a best seller. Barbara Eubanks - An Angels Humor - 101 Great Ways-Vol II

Lori Boatfield I have always been drawn to the written word and spent much of my childhood with my nose in a book. As a teenager I wrote poetry and short stories. Over the past 10 years, in addition to bits and pieces of stories I’ve begun, I’ve been working on a novel. It’s the story of two people who, over the course of a lifetime are in love with each other, but can’t seem to get the timing right. Most recently, I’ve written two short pieces that have been published as guest commentaries in the Gadsden Times. Lori Boatfield is an aspiring writer, a television show host, a wife and soon to be mother.  Educated at West End High School in Etowah County, and at Snead State Community College, she earned a BA at Auburn University. She lives in Boaz, Alabama, with her husband Jason, a physical therapist. As a child, Lori loved reading and writing and credits her mother with instilling this passion.

Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE:  SEPT. 30, 2006 VENUE:  AUTHOR SIGNING EXTRAVAGANZA AUTHOR:  MARSHALL COUNTY ALABAMA AUTHORS TIME:  1Oam-1PM-CST LOCATION:  ALBERTVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY                        201 JACKSON ST.                        ALBERTVILLE, AL 35950 CONTACT: Joe Turman 256-571-4253 or Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Press Release… Sardis City, AL – Lighthouse Coastal Literary, Lighthouse Coastal Productions and Lighthouse News Bureau are pleased to announce that their Client, National Author/Columnist/Speaker and Radio Host, Shirley W. Mitchell, also known as “The Golden Egg of Aging” will be part of the special Marshall County Alabama “Author Signing Extravaganza” on Saturday September 30, 2006 from 10am-1PM-CST to be held at the Albertville Public Library 201 Jackson St. Albertville, AL. Ms. Mitchell will join several other local Authors for this very “Special Event” some of which include Joe Turman, Barbara Eubanks, Gay Martin, Dennis Burgess, Madeline Jackson and Edna Bright. This “Special Event” is great chance for Marshall County residents to “Meet & Greet” their local authors, get a book signed for that special person in their life or one for just themselves, and to acquaint themselves with their Public Library. Shirley W. Mitchell of Alabama is a Mother of Three and a Grandmother of Eight. An Author of 5 Books: "The Christian Writer's Desk Diary", "The Beauty of Being God's Woman", "Spiritual Sparks for Busy Women", "Fabulous after 50" and "Sensational after 60", and the Co-Author of 3 books - "Love Notes for Mom", "Love Notes for Dad" and "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life"; A Columnist of the "Fabulous after Fifty" Newspaper Column in the Sand Mountain Reporter and the On-Line Column, "Spiritual Sparks for Baby Boomers"; and Host of the Internet Radio Show "Aging Outside the Box-Fabulous Women Over 50". Ms. Mitchell is the owner of "The Shirley System” - an On-Line Presence of 13 Websites and 12 BLOGS. For more info on the “Author Signing Extravaganza” contact: Joe Turman tel. 256-571-4253 or Barbara Eubanks tel. 256-878-5934 For more information on Shirley W. Mitchell contact: Lighthouse Coastal Literary 466 Sardis Cutoff Road Sardis City, AL 35956 Tel. 850-291-1847 Agent@lighthousecoastalliterary.com PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: DEC. 1, 2006 VENUE: THE SAND MOUNTAIN LIT CHICKS AUTHOR SIGNING TIME: 6-8PM-CST LOCATION: BOAZ PUBLIC LIBRARY           407 THOMAS AVE.           BOAZ, AL 35957           tel. 256-593-8056 CONTACT: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Press Release… Sardis City, AL – Lighthouse Coastal Literary, Lighthouse Coastal Productions and Lighthouse News Bureau are pleased to announce that “The Sand Mountain Lit Chicks” of Marshall County will participate in an “Author Signing” on Friday December 1, 2006 from 6-8PM-CST to be held at the Boaz Public Library 407 Thomas Ave. Boaz, AL. The local Authors for this very “Special Event” include Barbara Eubanks, Shirley W. Mitchell, Gay Martin, Alice Duckett and Lori Boatfield. This is a great chance for Boaz residents to “Meet & Greet” their local Authors, get a book signed for that special person in their life, or one for themselves, and to acquaint themselves with their New Public Library. Join us after the Holiday Parade, mix & mingle with the Authors and Library Staff, and enjoy some refreshments! Barbara Eubanks is the Author of "Humorous Happenings in Holy Places" and "And the Angels Laughed". Shirley W. Mitchell is the Author of "Fabulous after 50" and "Sensational after 60", and the Co-Author of "Love Notes for Mom", "Love Notes for Dad" and "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life". Gay N. Martin is the Author of “Alabama Off the Beaten Path”, “Louisiana Off the Beaten Path” and “Alabama’s Historic Restaurants”. Alice G. Duckett is the Author of her children's workbook, “From Attics to Basements”. Lori Boatfield has had articles published in the Gadsden Times and is presently working on a novel. For more information on “The Lit Chicks” contact: Barbara Eubanks tel. 256-878-5934 For more information on Shirley W. Mitchell contact: Lighthouse Coastal Literary 466 Sardis Cutoff Road Sardis City, AL 35956 Tel. 850-291-1847 Agent@lighthousecoastalliterary.com

Accolades
	Congratulations to Alice for her award at the Alabama Writer’s Conclave for a piece remembering her mother! Congratulations to Gay for her piece about the Night Blooming Flower being chosen for Chicken Soup for the Wine Lover’s Soul!

Chick Happenings

Sept. 19, 2006... 1:30PM-CST ... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley Mitchell Guntersville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256 878 5934 Reading Oct. 2, 2006... 1:30PM-CST ... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256 878 5934 Reading Nov. 6, 2006... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chick Meeting Lori Boatfield Home Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading Dec. 1, 2006... 6-8PM-CST ... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Gala Book Reception Boaz Public Library, 407 Thomas Av, Boaz, AL Participants:Barbara Eubanks, Shirley Mitchell, Gay Martin, Alice Duckett, Lori Boatfield Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Signing Mar. 27, 2007... 11am-PST & 1PM-CST... "The Lit Chicks" Hosts Dr. Peter Brill and David Debin of Third Age International - Third Age Radio Show Interview Barbara Eubanks, Alice Duckett and Lori Boatfield, 3 members of "The Lit Chick" Group out of Northern Alabama. Third Age International provides the tools and support you need for improving the quality of your life and health in the Third Age. We bring people of the Baby Boom Generation together to help each other find ever-increasing levels of passion, purpose and joy in the aging process. Contact Person: Samantha Friedman, Associate Producer The Third Age Radio Show with Dr. Peter Brill, a Physician and Psychiatrist, David Debin, a Writer and Producer, along with screen and TV star Anne Francis, treat Third Agers to a fun-filled, informative hour discussing issues at the heart and mind of the Third Age of life. Each week Third Age International on Third Age Radio Show features Authors and Guest Experts on topics diverse as Dating, Spirituality, Changing Habits, Grandparenting, Plastic Surgery, Sex, Finding Purpose, Health and Fitness, Fulfilling Dreams, Having Fun, Adult Children, Elderly Parents and many more. Listen in LIVE on Santa Barbara News Press Radio KZSB-1290am Tuesdays from 11am-PST and Rebroadcast Tuesdays at 9PM-PST & Saturdays at 1PM-PST... LISTEN in LIVE Apr. 17, 2007... IPM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Reading May 21, 2007... IPM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley Mitchell Home Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading Jun. 26, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Reading and Special Guest Poet Suzanne Hobbs of Jacksonville, AL Jul. 17, 2007... 12PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading Aug. 13,2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Sherry Kughn Home 711 Keith Avenue Anniston, AL Contact Person: Sherry Kughn 256-237-2358 Reading Sept. 11, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chick's Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main Street Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Reading Oct. 23, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Road Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading Nov. 20, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Shirley Mitchell Home Guntersville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Reading Dec. 1, 2007... 1-5PM-CST... "Spirit of Anniston" Downtown Holiday Shopping Day: Theme "Go Green for the Holidays" Meet The Lit Chicks and area Anniston Authors - their books will be available for Holiday gift buying. Special events downtown include several bands performing, horse and buggy rides, singers and more. Bring your recyclables: cans, newspapers and plastic - proceeds go to Anniston Animal Shelter Contact Person: Melanie Hill "Spirit of Anniston" Events Director 256-236-0996 Signing Dec. 18, 2007... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Reading Jan. 22, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildwood Drive Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Reading Feb. 26, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Dr. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Reading Mar. 18, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lori Boatfield Home 601 N. Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Reading Apr. 22, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Cultural Arts Center Broad Street Gadsden, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Luncheon and Reading May 17, 2008... 12noon-4PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Guntersville State Park Lodge 7966 AL Hwy. 227 Guntersville, AL 256-571-5440 guests of Barbara Eubanks at Spring Luncheon/Program of Thursday Book Club Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Book Club Program and Reading Jun. 17, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Reading Jul. 22, 2008... 12noon-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Lighthouse Coastal Productions 466 Sardis Cutoff Road Sardis City, AL Contact Person: Lighthouse Coastal 678-471-6092 Reading & Internet Updates Aug. 19, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting Alice Duckett Home 4720 Amberwood Lane Anniston, AL Contact Person: Alice Duckett 256-237-7123 Reading Sept. 16, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting... Lori Boatfield Home 601 North Main St. Boaz, AL Contact Person: Lori Boatfield 256-593-1565 Reading Oct. 21, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting... Gay Martin Home 135 Wildhaven Dr. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Gay Martin 256-878-6271 Reading Nov. 18, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting... The Club 1 Robert Smith Dr. Birmingham, AL Hostess: Shirley Mitchell Reading Dec. 16, 2008... 1PM-CST... Sand Mountain Lit Chicks Meeting... Barbara Eubanks Home 4840 McVille Rd. Albertville, AL Contact Person: Barbara Eubanks 256-878-5934 Christmas Luncheon and Reading