Writers conference offers three days of readings, discussions, book signings

The biennial Conference on Southern Literature will take place April 2-4 at the Tivoli Theatre. The event features readings, panel discussions and book signings in a casual atmosphere that allows writers and attendees to interact.

SCHEDULE

April 2

1-2:30 p.m. Induction of Fellowship members and readings by Will Campbell, Rita Dove, Percival Everett and Jim Grimsley; a tribute to Eleanor Ross Taylor

2:30-3:00 p.m. Break

3-4:30 p.m. Induction of Fellowship members and readings by Fred Hobson, Edward Jones, Rodney Jones and Natasha Trethewey

4:30-5:15 p.m. Book signing

5:30-6:30 p.m. Livingood Address by John Shelton Reed

April 3

9-10 a.m. Presentation of Fellowship Prize winners and readings: Claudia Emerson, Donald Justice Award for Poetry (not attending); Michelle Richmond, Hillsdale Award for Fiction; Fred Hobson, Cecil Woods Jr. Award for Nonfiction; Marco Ramirez, Bryan Foundation Award for Drama

10-11 a.m. Two dialogues — “Literary Biography — Myth vs. Fact” with Robert Morgan and Shannon Ravenel; “The Changing Atmosphere of Southern Time” with James Applewhite and Elizabeth Spencer

11 a.m.-noon. Presentation of Fellowship Prize winners: Moira Crone, Robert Penn Warren Award for Fiction; Maurice Manning, Hanes Award for Poetry; Kevin McFadden, George Garrett New Writing Award; Michael McFee, James Still Award for Writing about the Appalachian South

Noon-1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own

2-3 p.m. “Borrowing Tongues: Writing to and From Another Race” with panelists Allan Gurganus, Josephine Humphreys and Randall Kenan

3-3:15 p.m. Break

3:15-3:45 p.m. Tribute to George Garrett

3:45-4:45 p.m. “The Company We Keep” with panelists Andrew Hudgins, Wyatt Prunty, Dave Smith and Ellen Voigt

4:45-5:15 p.m. Musical presentation by Clyde Edgerton and Louis D. Rubin Jr.

5:15-6:15 p.m. Book signing

7:30 p.m. Proclamations by local officials; presentation of the Cleanth Brooks Medal for Lifetime Achievement to Wendell Berry by Richard Bausch

Keynote address by Lee Smith

9 p.m. Book signing

April 4

9-10 a.m. “From the Stage to the Page: Playwriting” with panelists Jim Grimsley, Beth Henley, Marsha Norman and Marco Ramirez

10-10:15 a.m. Break

10:15-11:30 a.m. “History Is the Big Myth We Live” (Robert Penn Warren) by panelists Wendell Berry, Bobbie Ann Mason and Allen Wier

Noon-1:30 p.m. Luncheon keynote by Jill McCorkle

2-3:15 p.m. “After the Writing is Done — Publishing, Promoting & Dodging the Critic’s Arrow” — Sam Pickering, with moderator Shannon Ravenel

3:15-3:45 p.m. Reading by Richard Bausch, Fellowship chancellor; adjournment by John Shelton Reed, Fellowship chancellor-elect; book signing