Widely regarded as one of the South’s most beloved humorists and storytellers, Lewis Grizzard is back in print through NewSouth Books. Wildly popular in its first run, They Tore Out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat sold over 100,000 copies and was a New York Times bestseller.

In They Tore Out My Heart, the late Lewis Grizzard recounts in a series of heartening yet undeniably humorous vignettes the lifelong struggles of his heart—both physical and emotional, real and imagined—that led to major heart surgery in his mid-thirties. From musings of early unrequited attempts at love to three marriages and divorces to the early detection of heart troubles that would follow him throughout his life, Grizzard manages to tackle weighty issues with his characteristically irreverent sense of humor.

In addition to NewSouth’s republication of They Tore Out My Heart, Grizzard’s hometown of Moreland, Georgia is holding a tribute festival in his honor on October 16-17. With a wide range of events planned, there’s something for every Grizzard fan at the festival. A Grizzard look alike contest is planned, as well as a cooking contest involving his favorite foods, namely grits. Several of Grizzard’s longtime friends will host a roast-style storytelling time, and Bill Oberst, Jr., a longtime Grizzard tribute actor will perform his live stage show over the weekend.

Grizzard’s widow Dedra, who also assisted in setting up the festival, will be present to sign copies of the newly republished They Tore Out My Heart. 

They Tore Out My Heart and Stomped That Sucker Flat will be available in August from NewSouth Books, Amazon.com, or your favorite local or online retailer.