"The Cigar Factory" cover art.The Southern Lit Alliance is hosting author Michele Moore at its next Southbound book discussion on Sunday, April 9, at 2 p.m. in the Arts Building, 301 E. 11th St.
Moore is the author of "The Cigar Factory: a Novel of Charleston," her debut novel that won the 2016 Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction.
"We were intrigued that the forward was written by (the late) Pat Conroy. That appealed to us that he had been a mentor to her," says Lynda LeVan, executive director of the alliance, of Moore's choice as speaker.
"The Cigar Factory" is about the historic Charleston factory on East Bay Street that employed as many as 1,400 workers during its heyday in the 1930s, according to Charleston historical websites. Cigars were produced in the building for 70 years. In 1980, the factory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
After cigar manufacturing ended there, the building was used for office and warehouse space. In the early 1980s it was home to Johnson and Wales culinary school until 2006. In 2014, Roi-Tan investments from Maryland purchased the factory and renovated the property to become a mixed-use building that offers office space, restaurants, event space and high-end retail stores.
"The book starts in World War I and goes through changes in the lives of two families: one Irish-Catholic, the other African-America. It shows their lives in the factory, particularly women who work in the cigar factory, and what happens after World War II when the factory strike happens," says LeVan.
LeVan says doors will open at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, when Star Line Books will have copies of "The Cigar Factory" for sale and Moore will sign copies.
The author's reading and discussion with the audience will begin at 2 p.m., followed by more time for signings.
The event is free, but registration is requested due to limited seating. Call: 423-777-4221.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.