[ad_1]
The Dahlonega Literary Festival (DLF) 2024 is taking place on Saturday, March 2. Offering a wide array of programs for enthusiasts of various fiction and non-fiction genres, the sessions will commence at 9 a.m. and conclude around 6 p.m. Located at the Dahlonega Baptist Church, the venue is a short stroll from the historic Dahlonega square.
The Festival’s Headlining Authors this year are Sharyn McCrumb, Joshilyn Jackson, and Wanda Morris, all renowned Southern authors. In addition, 20 Featured Authors and 15 Regional Writers (self-published) will take part, sharing insights into their books and writing processes via panels and individual presentations. Two complimentary workshops will be conducted by Kim Conrey and George Weinstein on “Paths to Publication,” and “Social Media for Writers,” will be delivered by Rona Simmons.
A panel discussion will be held on Lillian Smith, a celebrated author and an early advocate for racial and gender equality. Smith, a member of the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame, hailing from north Georgia, is best known for her novel Strange Fruit (1944) and non-fiction work Killers of the Dream (1949). The panel will be moderated by UNG English professor, D. Tanya Bennett.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our 19th annual festival, with many of our authors for 2024 showcasing Appalachian themes in their works,” said Donna Gessell, DLF chairperson. “From McCrumb’s novels to the biography of professional baseball player, Johnny Mize (a native of Demorest) by Jerry Grillo.”
A first-of-its-kind, double session with Featured Authors Steve Oney and Ann Hite will be another highlight. Steve Oney authored And the Dead Shal Rise, a story about the brutal killing of Mary Phagan and the subsequent lynching of Leo Frank, while Ann Hite’s biography of Lucille Frank, Leo’s widow, will debut in 2024. Additionally, Dot Padgett, the organizer of the Peanut Brigade (for Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign) and author of a book detailing it, will be interviewed by former Atlanta TV newsman and author John Pruitt.
The DLF’s popular “Lunch with the Featured Authors” segment will host Sharyn McCrumb as this year’s speaker, presenting on “Grassroots Saints and Honky Tonk Heroes.” The networking session will allow fans to socialize with their favorite authors over lunch.
All events, excluding lunch, will occur at the Dahlonega Baptist Church, 234 Hawkins St., with complimentary parking. The luncheon will be held at the University of North Georgia Campus, 404 Georgia Circle, Dining Room A, a few blocks away from the church. Lunch tickets, priced at $20, will be available from mid-February via the DLF website. Registration is not required for the free events.
DLF’s relaxed, close-knit atmosphere allows casual interactions among authors and attendees, which Gessell notes as a favorite feature of the festival according to previous participants.
For further information on the festival, visit www.literaryfestival.org. The Featured Authors and Regional Writers participating are listed below.
Featured Authors: Matt Aiken, Ezekiel Black, Kimberly Brock, Valerie Burns, Annette Clapsaddle, Kim Conrey, Peter Farris, Jerry Grillo, Ann Hite, Meagan Lucas, Sharyn McCrumb, Chris Negron, Steve Oney, Dot Padgett, Brian Panowich, William Rawlings, Vanessa Riley, Mab Segrest, George Singleton and George Weinstein.
Regional Writers: Stephanie Briarton, Nancy Dunne, Jacqueline Jacobs, Jerilyn Johnson, Kathleen Brewer Lewis, Deborah Malone, Patricia McAlexander, Sherry Robinson, Jeffrey Shaw, Mimi Schroeder, C. Matthew Smith, Caroline Smith, Debbie Towns (alias Debbie Dee), Mark Williams, and Douglas Young.
[ad_2]
