The Alabama Writers’ Forum
The Alabama Writers’ Forum, a partnership program of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, works to cultivate our state’s literary culture. We do that through supporting writers at all stages. We encourage our young writers to find their creative voice through the Father Goose Poetry Festival for Kids!–and through our Alabama High School Literary Arts Awards. We support the work of our state’s literary community through our Alabama Authors Directory, First Draft magazine, and other programming and opportunities for writers across the state. And we celebrate our state’s rich literary legacy through the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. We are, above all, a community of writers united by our desire to advance the literary arts in Alabama. If that describes you — join us! There are many ways to get involved.
The Passions of Saint Francis
The Passions of Saint Francis By Charles Gaines The Crossroad Publishing Company; 2026 Paperback: $29.95 Genre: Historical Fiction Reviewed by Edward Journey In The Passions of Saint Francis, the inspiring new novel by Charles Gaines, the writer ponders the big questions of life and the hereafter as he presents the life of Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (1181-1226), born into privileged nobility, nicknamed Francesco by his father, and living a profligate life until he chooses to live a monastic life, become a friar, and found the Franciscan order. The story of Saint Francis of Assisi is paired with the story of Chiara Offreducio (1194-1253), also of noble birth, who becomes an acolyte of Francesco and the co-founder, with Francesco, of the Order of Poor Ladies, now known as the Poor Clares, in honor of its founder, Chiara – remembered now as Saint Clare of Assisi. Gaines structures The Passions of Saint Francis as a series of journal entries written by Brother Leo, a devoted member of the Franciscan order who accompanies Francesco throughout his ministry and is [...]
