Authors headed to Beaufort for the inaugural Short Story America Festival and Conference
The inaugural Short Story America Festival and Conference is scheduled for September 21-23 in Beaufort, South Carolina.
This three-day celebration of new and classic short stories will feature readings by top authors of short fiction, including Eric Witchey of Portland, Gary Lawrence of San Diego, Gary Buslik of Chicago, Marjorie Brody of San Antonio, Ray Morrison of Winston-Salem, Gregg Cusick of Durham NC, Greg Hrbek of Skidmore College, James Goertel of Buffalo, Guy Tirondola of New Jersey (winner of the Beaufort Tricentennial Short Story Contest in 2011), Ken Burger (author of Baptized in Sweet Tea), Beaufort-based authors T.D. (Tim) Johnston (editor of the Short Story America series), and Katherine Tandy Brown, and will also feature the stories of top writers like Beaufort’s Warren Slesinger, Martin McCaw (Walla Walla, Washington) and other contemporary writers of short stories.
Visiting authors will give seminars and workshops on writing and analysis of short stories all day on Saturday, September 22nd, in the classrooms at USCB’s Center for the Arts in Beaufort. Readings and signings by authors will take place throughout the day in the arts center’s theater, with a chance for discussion of each story with the story’s author.
On Friday evening, the Opening Reception and Launch Party for Short Story America, Volume Two will start at 6 pm at the Old Bay Marketplace Loft downtown. This is a great chance to spend time with visiting and local authors, and to get your copy of Volume Two signed by authors, as well as your copy of Volume I, which is a highly-praised collection of 56 short stories. On Saturday evening, authors and local readers will share stories with the audience in the Arts Center’s theater. Beaufort-area performers who will read classic and new stories that evening include Margaret Evans, Jeff Evans, Mark Shaffer, Teresa Bruce, Gail Westerfield, Leo Gannon (Atticus Finch in last year’s presentation of To Kill A Mockingbird at USCB), Pat Connor, Bruce Doneff and Tim Johnston. There will also be several reading performances by area high school students from Beaufort and Hilton Head, as well as screenings of three short films. The evening will culminate with the awards reception in the arts center, and the presentation of the first Short Story America Prize for Short Fiction, whose winner will come from hundreds of stories entered by authors throughout the world.
One of the seminars on writing stories will be in three parts. Portland-based author Eric Witchey will conduct part one of his series at 3 pm on Friday the 21st, at Short Story America’s headquarters in Beaufort Town Center (Bi-Lo shopping center on Boundary Street). Part two of his series will be on Saturday among the workshops offered at USCB. Part three of his series will be at Short Story America on Sunday at 1 pm.
All-events passes are available for just $35 for the entire festival (including both receptions and all readings and workshops), by registering at www.eventbrite.com or by going to www.shortstoryamerica.com and clicking on FESTIVAL. You may also get passes directly from Tim Johnston at Short Story America, by calling him at 843-597-3220 or 843-524-7800. Let’s show visiting authors that Beaufort is a great destination for all fans of quality literature, with a warm welcome to our beautiful arts community.
