Nathan Deal, former governor of Georgia, will be the luncheon speaker for the 2025 Dahlonega Literary Festival. Deal recently authored a children's book, Veto, the Governor's Cat, his first published literary work. He was inspired to write the book by his late wife Sandra, a school teacher who made early learning and literacy a priority. Before her death in 2022, she was ecstatic to know that he had created a book that would continue her legacy of promote literacy for young readers. A portion of the proceeds from the book will support literacy projects and other educational initiatives through The Deal Foundation's work.

Nathan Deal was the 82nd governor of Georgia, serving from 2011 to 2019. He was also a U.S. Congressman from Georgia from 1993-2010 and served in the Georgia legislature for 12 years. He is a graduate of Mercer University law school and resides in Demorest, Georgia.

Dr.…