Summary: Joshua Clark is becoming a great collector of Louisiana lore. Editor and publisher of the seminal anthology, French Quarter Fiction, Josh returns to AuthorViews this week to preview his forthcoming collection, Louisiana in Words. On my first trip back to New Orleans after Katrina, the city was under mandatory evacuation orders and largely deserted except for National Guard troops and relief workers. Rolling down Bourbon Street on my way out of town, who should I see but Josh Clark, tape recorder in hand, gathering as much first-hand testimony as his batteries would permit. Louisiana in Words is not a transcript of those observations -- a treasure trove that chronicler Clark will no doubt publish some day. Rather, the book contains extremely short contributions from people in all walks of life -- well-known writers to unknown farmers -- from all over the Great State of Louisiana. In this 2-minute video, filmed in the Bywater District of New Orleans, the mellifluous Mr. Clark reveals the origins of Louisiana in Words, and gives a sneak preview of its contents.
