Atlanta gentrification tale wins Hollywood, New York book festivals

Josh Green

Tue, 08/19/2025 – 01:52

Goodbye, Sweetberry Park, by Urbanize Atlanta editor and author Josh Green, has won the grand prize at the 2025 Hollywood Book Festival, organizers announced Thursday.

The international festival, now in its 19th year, aims to honor “books that deserve greater recognition from the film, television, game, and multimedia communities.”

A panel of industry-expert judges called Goodbye, Sweetberry Park “a rich novel that combines the best of satire and action, making it well worthy of its honors.” An awards gala recognizing winners will be held in Hollywood in coming months.

Earlier in August, the dark comedy also won the most competitive category (general fiction) at the 2025 New York Book Festival, established in 1999.

The Sager Group; cover design, Siori Kitajima

Also this month, Atlanta magazine has shortlisted Goodbye, Sweetberry Park as one of “Six Hot Books for Summer Reading,” alongside Stacey Abrams and other authors.

Some other recent, critical takes:

“A big-hearted consideration of gentrification and the erosion of time.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The wildest gentrification story ever told.” —Booktasters

“This quirky, darkly humorous tale… is a dizzying belly laugh and a gut punch, rolled into one.” —Atlanta magazine

“Wickedly funny.” —Gwinnett Daily Post

“There’s no shortage of drama in this fast-paced, comic thriller full of snappy dialogue and big, colorful characters.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Where to buy: Goodbye, Sweetberry Park is available in ebook and paperback via Amazon and all other online outlets. (To support local bookshops, consider Bookshop.org).

Now what? The next (free and boozy) public book event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14 at Milltown Arms Tavern in Cabbagetown. Expect prizes and a special surprise. Details soon.