The Blueberry Years is a new memoir by local author Jim Minick, chronicling the organic pick-your-own blueberry farm he and his wife started and ran for 10 years. The book also includes recipes and various historical bits about organic farming and blueberry lore.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, the New River Voice and the Freedom Foundation for Southwest Virginia will celebrate the book by hosting a release party. Join us at 6 p.m. in the Sunken Garden Amphitheatre at Nesselrod on the New in Fairlawn for a reading, signing, and live entertainment by musical acts Dallas Leonard and Triscale.

Here’s a little Q&A session we did with the author in anticipation of the big event.

NRV: How long did it take to write The Blueberry Years?
JM: I wrote bits and pieces for several years, but the effort to really create a book out of this experience started in 2002 … so 8 years.

NRV: You’ve published a couple books of poetry and a collection of essays—in what way was writing a memoir different?
JM: With this memoir, as with a novel, I had to focus on the whole of the story and book, meaning this type of work requires a sustained energy to work on a large project over a long time. And to make sure the whole book has a clear, compelling storyline. Poems and essays, on the other hand, are often short intense bursts. A marathon vs. a sprint.

NRV: Do you feel more at home in one genre than another?
JM: Not particularly, but right now, prose seems to be filling my head.

NRV: What do you hope your readers take away from The Blueberry Years?
JM: Chase dreams; work to make them happen, and then if they turn out to be different than hoped, have courage to start on a different dream. Plus, just appreciate the lowly, humble, beautiful blueberry!

NRV: Do you recommend any resources to folks who want to be more in-tune with the local foods movement?
JM: Localharvest.org and local farmers markets are great places to start.

NRV: On Sept. 11, you’ll have two presentations in Floyd. Are there any other local appearances our readers should be aware of?
JM: The website has the bulk of readings listed, including the Southern Festival of Books, which I’m thrilled to take part in in October. Upcoming readings are in the works for Blacksburg and Richmond, Kentucky, and western North Carolina.

Thanks, Jim, and we look forward to celebrating with you on Wednesday!