2016 Festival History
2016 Schedule
THURSDAY, 10/20/16
9:30–11:00 a.m.
Writers’ Workshop #1, Putting Your Passion in Print: How to Share Your Vision and Influence with a Greater Audience with Shari Stauch and Bren McClain
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
USCB Lunch with Authors Series featuring Mary Alice Monroe (A Lowcountry Wedding and A Lowcountry Christmas) and Ron Rash (The Risen, Above the Waterfall, and Poems: New and Selected). Location: USMC Air Station Officers Club
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Writers’ Workshop #2, The Power of Connection: Putting Your 90% Factor to Work for You with Shari Stauch and Bren McClain
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Bus Tour of Pat Conroy’s Beaufort, with Bernie Schein and Maggie Schein, hosted by and ticketed through Historic Beaufort Foundation, http://historicbeaufort.org, 843-379-3331.
4:00–5:00 p.m.
A Rash of Stories, performed by actress Barbara Bates Smith with musician Jeff Sebens, featuring scenes from Ron Rash’s short stories “Lincolnites,” “Burning Bright,” “Casualties and Survivors,” and “The Night the New Jesus Fell to Earth”
5:00–7:00 p.m.
Film screening of The World Made Straight,adapted from Ron Rash’s novel, with opening short film “Yard of the Month,” adapted from Rash’s short story, shown in partnership with the Beaufort Film Society
7:00–8:00 p.m.
Discussion with Ron Rash moderated by Ellen Malphrus
8:00–9:00 p.m.
Opening reception and book signing with Ron Rash
FRIDAY, 10/21/16
8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Daufuskie Island Tour with Sallie Ann Robinson, hosted by and ticketed through Historic Beaufort Foundation, http://historicbeaufort.org,
9:30–11:00 a.m.
Summoning the Dead: A Discussion of the Writings of Ron Rash featuring southern literary scholars Jesse Graves, Daniel Cross Turner, Randall Wilhelm, and Zackary Vernon
9:30–11:00 a.m.
Writers’ Workshop #3, Part I, Life Stories: Approaches to Memoir Writing with Pam Durban
12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
USCB Lunch with Authors Series featuring Jill McCorkle (Life after Life) and Elizabeth Cox (A Question of Mercy). Location: Belfair Plantation, Bluffton
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Writers’ Workshop #4, From Stone to Gemstone: Revising, Editing, and Polishing Your Manuscript with Carla Damron
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Panel discussion with contributors to State of the Heart: South Carolina Writers on the Places They Love featuring editor Aïda Rogers with Ronald Daise, Nathalie Dupree, Margaret Shinn Evans, Shani Gilchrist, Josephine Humphreys, and Ben McC. Moïse
3:30–4:00 p.m.
Book signing
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Beaufort in the Age of Pat Conroy: A talk by historian Lawrence S. Rowland
5:00–5:30 p.m.
Book signing
6:00–7:00 p.m.
Performance Reading of Sounds of the Cigar Factory, featuring an all local cast with special appearance by Ronald Daise, introduced by author Michele Moore
7:00–7:30 p.m.
Book signing
7:00–9:00 p.m.
Open House at the Pat Conroy Literary Center (308 Charles Street). See materials from the USC Libraries Pat Conroy Archive and the Conroy family personal collections, a screening of Pat Conroy video clips provided by the Beaufort Film Society, and a preview of programs coming from the Center in 2017. Light refreshments will be served. www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
SATURDAY, 10/22/16
9:30–11:00 a.m.
Writers’ Workshop #3, Part II, Life Stories: Approaches to Memoir Writing with Pam Durban
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Lowcountry Local Favorites Panel featuring James McTeer II (Minnow), Ellen Malphrus (Untying the Moon), Sallie Ann Robinson (Gullah Home Cooking the Daufuskie Way), and Nicole Seitz (When You Pass through Waters), moderated by John Warley
11:00–11:30 a.m.
Book signing
11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Poetry and Prose Reading from Found Anew featuring Ray McManus, Pam Durban, Susan Laughter Meyers, Mark Powell, and Marjory Wentworth
12:45–1:15 p.m.
Book signing
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Video screening of the Conroy Family Panel from the Pat Conroy at 70 festival (Box lunches included)
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Story River Books panel with novelists Katherine Clark (The Harvard Bride), Carla Damron (The Stone Necklace), Michele Moore (The Cigar Factory), and Elizabeth Cox (A Question of Mercy), moderated by Jonathan Haupt
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Book signing
3:30–5:00 p.m.
Carolina Writers at Home panel with photographer Rob McDonald and contributors Elizabeth Cox, Josephine Humphreys, and Jill McCorkle.
5:00–5:30 p.m.
Book signing
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Pat Conroy’s Lowcountry Heart: Look forward to a lively conversation between Cassandra King and moderator Ellen Malphrus (with special guests), including a discussion of and reading from A Lowcountry Heart: Reflections on a Writing Life, the new collection by Pat Conroy, which will make its much anticipated debut at the Pat Conroy Literary Festival—before its official publication date the following week.
6:30–8:00 p.m.
Closing Reception and Book Signing: The talk will be followed by a book signing and a reception celebrating the writing life of Pat Conroy and the release of his new book A Lowcountry Heart. Join us for heavy hors devours, wine, beer, soft drinks, and a very special cake. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Pat Conroy Literary Center.
SUNDAY, 10/23/16
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
USCB Lunch with Authors Series featuring Dorothea Benton Frank (All Summer Long) and Cassandra King (Moonrise). Location: The Carolina Room at the Dataw Island Club
2:00–4:00 p.m.
Bus Tour of Pat Conroy’s Beaufort, with Bernie Schein and Maggie Schein, hosted by and ticketed through Historic Beaufort Foundation, http://historicbeaufort.org,
2016 Partners & Sponsors
PARTNERS
The Pat Conroy Literary Festival is made possible in collaboration by the University of South Carolina Press and the University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts.
University of South Carolina Press
University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts
The planning and development of the Pat Conroy Literary Festival also benefits greatly from the expertise, resources, time, and many talents of our host of partnership organizations.
Pat Conroy Archives at the University of South Carolina Libraries
SPONSORS
The generous direct and in-kind sponsorships of the following organizations, individuals, inns, hotels, and cottages support the programming and presenter appearances of the Pat Conroy Literary Festival. Without these gifts and grants, the festival would not be possible. Please join us in thanking our sponsors.
Baby Charles cottage, Erica and John Dickerson
Friends of the University of South Carolina Press
Greenbug Inc.
Little Lucy Creek Retreat, Annie Griffey
Magnolia Court Guest Suites
Patricia Ann Denkler
Pink Magazine
Susan and Scott Graber
2016 Presenters
SCHEDULED PRESENTERS
2016 Special Events & Workshops
SPECIAL EVENTS
Open House at the Pat Conroy Literary Center
308 Charles Street, Beaufort, South Carolina www.patconroyliterarycenter.org
The Pat Conroy Literary Center will hold open house hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the Pat Conroy Literary Festival. This is your chance to visit the new Center, to see a Pat Conroy exhibit, and to learn more about the Center’s plans for 2017.
Friday, October 21, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
See materials on display from the USC Libraries Pat Conroy Archive and Conroy family personal collections and get a preview of Pat Conroy Literary Center programs tentatively scheduled to begin in 2017. Wine and light refreshments will be served. Archivist Jessica Crouch will give a brief gallery talk about the exhibit. This event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, October 22, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Archivist Jessica Crouch will give a gallery talk about the exhibit. This event is free and open to the public.
Sunday, October 23, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Archivist Jessica Crouch will give a gallery talk about the exhibit. Following the afternoon’s (sold-out) bus tour of Beaufort with Bernie and Maggie Schein, the Scheins will sign copies of their books, Famous all over Town and Lost Cantos of the Ouroboros Caves. Pat’s daughter Melissa Conroy will also be at the Center signing copies of her newly released Lowcountry Coloring Book. This event is free and open to the public.
WORKSHOPS
Writers’ Workshop #1
Putting Your Passion in Print: How to Share Your Vision and Influence with a Greater Audience
Thursday, October 20, 2016, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Workshop leaders: Bren McClain and Shari Stauch
The written word, especially through the stories we share, has always had the power to change perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors, to make positive changes in our world. Learn how several authors touch on greater themes and issues in their work, from animal rights and race relations to women’s rights and family dynamics. We’ll discuss how to tap into more (and more passionate) readers by customizing your own “passion platform.” Identify and relate to your reading audience to become an influence for change!
Writers’ Workshop #2
The Power of Connection: Putting Your 90% Factor to Work for You
Thursday, October 20, 2016, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Workshop leaders: Bren McClain and Shari Stauch
So you’re at a book festival and have the opportunity to talk about the story you’re writing or have written. Or you’re at a book reading/signing. Or you’re talking with a potential agent. WORDS. We worry about our words. What will we say? Certainly, words are important, but even more critical to your success is your ability to connect with people. It’s the 90% factor, and it’s where your real power lies. Come learn how to make sure yours is in tip top shape when you have those important opportunities to communicate.
Writers’ Workshop #3, Part I
Life Stories: Approaches to Memoir Writing
Friday, October 21, 2016, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Workshop leader: Pam Durban
“The strands are all there: to the memory nothing is ever really lost,” Eudora Welty says, and memoir writing is a great way to discover and explore some of the strands in the rich tapestry of memory we all carry. These two sessions will introduce you to the process of writing memoir by focusing on an important person or moment in your life. Participants are asked to bring a pen (or pencil) and paper and one family photograph (with you in it) that has special significance for you. The picture can be of you as a child or close to your current age. What matters is what the photograph and the people in it mean to you.
Writers’ Workshop #3, Part II
Life Stories: Approaches to Memoir Writing
Saturday, October 22, 2016, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Workshop leader: Pam Durban
Please note that this is a continuation of Friday’s 9:30 a.m. workshop. Participants in Part I are invited to return with drafts to be shared with fellow participants and the instructor for feedback.
Writers’ Workshop #4
From Stone to Gemstone: Revising, Editing, and Polishing Your Manuscript
Friday, October 21, 2016, 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Workshop leader: Carla Damron
While “we are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master” (Ernest Hemingway), we owe it to our work to make it the best it can be. This session explores how to hone a draft into a publishable work. Sharing personal feedback received in M.F.A. workshops and from editors, Carla Damron will describe the complex revision process, examining both “big picture” problems and micro issues.
