Pot liquor, screened-in porches, sweet tea, high school football, fried green tomatoes, kudzu and a gentle, "Bless your heart." In general, all of these things are understood to be typically Southern, but perhaps it is only Southern people who truly understand these things.

Within William Faulkner's 1936 novel, Absalom, Absalom, the character Quentin says to his college roommate about the South, "You can't understand it. You would have to be born there."

This quote, from a work depicting Faulkner's South through various narrators, is the theme of this year's On the Brink literary conference at Jacksonville State University on February 13. And through an invited set of narrators, or storytellers, conference attendees will explore the Southern experience.

An annual event at JSU, On the Brink is a gathering of Southern readers and writers. It is a day-long event taking place at the Stone Center Theatre that includes both a forum and lunch with the authors. This year, eight authors will share excerpts from their works, discuss their chosen genre, answer questions from audience members and participate in a book signing. During the lunch, authors will sit among attendees for some informal conversation as well. On average, the conference is attended by 100-200 people.

Conference Coordinator and English instructor, Gena Christopher, says "We feel that each year has been very successful and hope for the same this year."

Christopher says she just finished reading conference author Amanda Gable's Confederate General Rides North and is looking forward to meeting Gable.

"However, as soon as I read the next book in my stack, I am sure I will look forward to meeting that writer with equal anticipation," says Christopher.

Each of the authors presenting at On the Brink has his or her own riveting Southern story to share. Author Ted Dunagan, for example, will be reading from his novel, A Yellow Watermelon.

In Dunagan's work, two young boys, one white and one black, meet at the racial dividing line in the cotton field one day. Whites are picking on one side; blacks on the other. Each boy brings something new and different to the table. The two learn from each other, and their bond helps bring integration to the field.

Come meet with others at the line in the field on February 13. Each author and attendee will bring something different to the conference table, and the chance to integrate ideas will abound. From cotton fields to the Civil War and beyond, this is an exciting literary event.

Pre-registration is requested by February 3. To register or for more information, contact Gena Christopher in the JSU English Department by phone at 782-5856 or by e-mail at genac@jsu.edu. Tickets are $45 (but only $15 for full-time JSU students).

Erin Chupp, a freelance writer for the Office of Marketing and Communications, contributed to this article.