Description:
Mardi Gras lives on, but Cantrell Floats heir McKinley "Mackie" J. Cantrell, III died suddenly in 2021. He was forty-seven. He was a brother and mentor to me. This book is a memoir of him and my year of Carnival work in 2011-12.
Brief description: Author Greg Fischer is the former Editor-In-Chief of the Weekly Citizen in Gonzales, Louisiana, The Chief in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, and the Post-South in Plaquemine, Louisiana, and contributor to The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans, Louisiana. He holds bachelor degrees in Creative Writing and Journalism from Louisiana State University. He attended graduate school for Professional Writing at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he served as Editor-In-Chief of the Gambit creative writing journal for students. He is currently the owner of Make It Write, a publishing services company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he resides with his wife and stepchildren.
Review Quotes:
"Fischer, his cousin, tells Cantrell's story and recounts the history of the family business but focuses in on his own memories of this generous man . . . The information about Cantrell is consistently engaging, as is the author's account of the business side of the celebration of Mardi Gras." - Kirkus Reviews
"It is rich in human emotion, brilliantly capturing the sense of loss while paying tribute to a man that lived with purpose. This book is a wonderful memoir with a fully drawn hero who will inspire creativity in readers." - The Book Commentary
"I didn't know Mackie, but I felt like I did through Gregory's storytelling . . . His presence will be felt every year during Mardi Gras. And Mackie will be close to those in spirit-never far from Gregory's thoughts." - Kam Brook, Reedsy Discovery