Little Rock author continues Arkansas historic figures series

Authors from around the region gathered at the Garland County Library on Saturday for an authors’ holiday brunch.

A group of about 10 writers listened to a program by author Jenny Carlisle, participating in group activities to generate ideas and hone their craft.

One of the authors present was Little Rock’s Phyllis Hodges, who is promoting her upcoming book “Girl Power 2” with a statewide tour. The third installment in a series that looks at historical figures, she says the series started with a look at five areas of history — living history, Arkansas history, current history, American history and African American history.

“8 Years of Unforgettable History” kicked off the series, taking place during the Obama administration, followed by “Girl Power” and now the upcoming “Girl Power 2.”

“If you thought ‘Girl Power’ was amazing,” she says. “Oh my goodness, you’ve got to get ‘Girl Power 2.’ It’s mind-blowing.”

She says they will officially unveil the cover of the book on Sunday and branch into other territories in her tour, but as the year comes to a close, they are taking it slow and enjoying events like the brunch. On Sunday, she’ll host a book signing and conversation from 3-5 p.m. at Mosaic

Church, 6221 Colonel Glenn Road, in Little Rock.

“We’re excited because it’s the end of the year and we’re about to go into two thousand and twenty-four, so we’re relaxing now,” Hodges said.

Already featured in libraries, museums, stores and media centers around the state, she says the new book is as pleasing to look at on the outside as it is to read, saying people have fallen in love with the cover of the book.

A “table topper,” the books can be purchased in three ways. E-books can be bought on Amazon for $22 while the soft cover costs $38 and the hardback costs $49. She says bulk orders will be given a

discount.

Selling around the world, she says the book is accessible for all ages, being read in primary schools to universities, including the Hot Springs School District and the Garland County Library.

“There’s not a particular age,” she says. “Everybody needs what’s in our book series.”

Without giving an exact date, she said the book will be out “in 2024, the beginning of the year.”

For more information visit: https://doyouphylme.com/

(The Sentinel-Record/Lance Brownfield) Local authors gather for a brunch at the Garland County Library on Saturday. Working in a group on a creative exercise, Phyllis Hodges, second from left, works with her husband, Byron Hodges, seated next to her, Ashlee Nix-Linsley, to her right, and Gary Strakshus across the table, while Jenny Carlisle, the presenter at the event, assists them.

(The Sentinel-Record/Lance Brownfield) Phyllis Hodges, author of “Girl Power 2,” promotes her upcoming book Saturday while at an authors’ brunch at the Garland County Library.