Ya-Ya Sisterhood Surprise for Award-Winning Author

When Bette Midler called, author Rebecca Wells was still stunned from the success of her novel Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Midler’s All Girl Productions wanted to make the #1 New York Times Best-Seller into a movie starring Sandra Bullock, Ashley Judd, and a host of box office stars.

Louisiana native Wells was soon too sick from undiagnosed Lyme disease to participate in the movie’s production or attend the premiere. It took a few years before she watched the film.

Still suffering from lingering light sensitivity and fatigue, the author returned to south Louisiana as the featured Great Southern Writer at the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival. She entertained the audience with personal anecdotes, readings from her novel, and a spirited Q&A session. With the help of festival organizers, Movie Poster Archives had a surprise in store. Linda Thurman was invited to the stage where she presented Wells with original presskits in English and German. Wells was thrilled. Turning to the audience, she said, “I will now read to you in German,” eliciting laughter and applause