“Fried Green Tomatoes” author Fannie Flagg is an optimist by nature, one who has spent a career as an actor, comedian and author making people laugh. The Birmingham native hopes her new book, a collection of short stories to be released Aug. 11, 2025, will spread positivity and bring smiles to any grumpy Americans who might need one.
“I think that one of the greatest traits Americans have always had is our ability to laugh at ourselves,” Flagg told AL.com. “But now with all the negativity we see in the news night and day, it worries me that we have all started taking ourselves far too seriously. Goodness, it seems some people are only happy when they’re mad.”
“Something to Look Forward To,” published by Penguin Random House, is Flagg’s first collection of short stories. It is available for pre-order here.
Flagg, now 80 and living in Santa Barbara, Calif., has also written 11 novels and one cookbook. She has tried to retire from writing but fans keep bringing her back…