John Grisham says being on the losing side of a Mississippi political fight gave him plenty of time to write big chunks of his first two legal thrillers, "A Time to Kill" and "The Firm."

Grisham took part Saturday in the first Mississippi Book Festival at the State Capitol in Jackson.

He recounted how, as a young state representative in the building during the 1980s, he was powerless after supporting a losing candidate for House speaker. So, instead, he listened and took notes as politicians drank coffee — or something stronger — and told tall tales.

"There's a storytelling tradition that goes hand-in-hand with our literary tradition," Grisham said.

More than 3,000 people attended the daylong book festival on the Statehouse grounds to celebrate the storytelling legacy of Mississippi, the home state of William Faulkner and other literary greats.

Security added for Nicki's wax likeness

A wax figure of rapper Nicki Minaj at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is getting more security to keep away inappropriate visitors. The Las Vegas museum said that employees will closely monitor the figure after images of visitors in sexual poses with the statue began appearing on social media. The set around the statue will also undergo a redesign so similar pictures can't be taken. The museum says it became aware last week of at least one image online. The statue depicts Minaj in a pose from her "Anaconda" music video. She recently shared Instagram photos of fans posing suggestively with the figure.

arrest in Rosie's kid case: The owner of the home where Rosie O'Donnell's missing teen daughter was found last week has been arrested, accused of having inappropriate online communications with the 17-year-old girl, according to authorities. Steven Sheerer faces charges of child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor. The Ocean County prosecutor's office declined to identify the victim, citing her age. But a spokeswoman for O'Donnell said the case involves the star's daughter, Chelsea.

show goes on: Jon Bon Jovi says he rebooked a canceled Vancouver show at a new venue because he didn't want to disappoint fans in the city he called home for six years. The New Jersey-born rock star performed Saturday night at Rogers Arena after complications with a promoter forced the cancellation of their performance in Stanley Park.

Associated Press
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