FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Page and Palette will host author Mark Childress at Centennial Hall on the Faulkner State Community College Fairhope campus on March 10, from 6-8 p.m.

This event will feature a talk by Childress followed by a book signing of “Georgia Bottoms.”

Tickets are $5 and the first 200 buyers will receive a free paperback copy of Childress’ previous book, “One Mississippi.” Also, members of the Women’sBest program may use their ticket for $5 off their signed copy of “Georgia Bottoms.” Not a member of Women’sBest? Find out how to join at http://www.infirmaryhealth.org/communityWomensBest.aspx.

All of Childress’ novels will be available for sale at the event.

“Move over Flannery O’Connor and make room for a new master,” said Fannie Flagg. “Mark Childress has written yet another laugh-out-loud Southern classic. In his new novel, ‘Georgia Bottoms,’ you will meet the most hilariously dysfunctional bunch of characters to come down the literary pike in years. Try to stop laughing!”

Anne Lamott, author of “Imperfect Birds,” said, “‘Georgia Bottoms’ is one of my favorite characters in recent years, a lovingly drawn woman from a small Southern town, charming, hilarious, heartbreaking, warm and tough, rich in charm and denial and insight. This is Childress’s best book yet.”

Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Ala. as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle. Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income.

In Georgia’s case it is six well-heeled lovers — one for each day of the week, with Mondays off — none of whom knows about the others. But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him.

With “Georgia Bottoms,” Childress displays once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.

Childress’ previous novel, “One Mississippi,” was greeted with widespread and enthusiastic acclaim.

Stephen King called it the “funniest book I have read in 10 years.” It is now in its fourth printing in both hardcover and paperback.

Another Childress novel, “Crazy in Alabama,” was made into a feature film starring Melanie Griffith, has been published in 15 countries, and has more than a million copies in print worldwide.

Childress has proven himself both an astute chronicler of Southern life and a critical and popular literary success. Now, from one of the most beloved of American authors writing today comes a hilarious and heartfelt story about an Alabama socialite with an unusual secret.

Childress was born in Monroeville, Ala. He is the author of six previous novels and three books for children.

He has lived in Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, California, Costa Rica, and currently lives in Key West, Fla.

For more information, call Page & Palette at 251-928-5295.