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The Dahlonega Literary Festival 2024: A Showcase of Literary Brilliance
Overview
The highly anticipated Dahlonega Literary Festival (DLF) is set to captivate audiences on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The event promises an array of engaging activities catering to supporters of both fiction and non-fiction genres.
The festival will begin at 9 a.m. and extend till approximately 6 p.m., taking place at the Dahlonega Baptist Church. Located just a stone’s throw away from the Dahlonega square, the venue ensures accessibility for all visitors.
Guest Authors
The festival is honored to present the celebrated southern author, Sharyn McCrumb, as the Headline author of the event. The program also includes panel discussions and presentations by 20 prominent Featured Authors and 15 independently published Regional Writers, providing a unique opportunity to delve into their literary journeys.
Workshops and Panels
As part of the festivities, authors Kim Conrey and George Weinstein will conduct an insightful workshop titled “Paths to Publication.” In addition, author Rona Simmons will lead “Social Media for Writers,” a workshop focusing on today’s essential tools for writers.
Dahlonega Literary Festival 2024 also features a panel on Lillian Smith, a renowned author and pioneering social activist. Smith, inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame and hailing from north Georgia, is recognized for her impactful work on racial and gender issues. D. Tanya Bennett, a respected UNG English professor, will spearhead this panel discussion.
The Appalachian Connection
“Our 19th annual festival is particularly unique due to the Appalachian links in the works of many authors in our 2024 lineup,” states Donna Gessell, the DLF chairperson. She cites the novels of Headline author McCrumb and the biography of professional baseball player Johnny Mize by Jerry Grillo as sterling examples.
Additionally, the festival is set to host its first-ever double session with Featured Authors Steve Oney and Ann Hite. Oney’s fascinating work, And the Dead Shall Rise, and Hite’s anticipated 2024 biography of Lucille Frank, ensure a session to remember.
Furthermore, the festival will feature an interview with Dot Padgett, organizer of the Peanut Brigade for Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign and author of a book recounting this experience.
Lunch with Featured Authors
An integral tradition of DLF is “Lunch with Featured Authors,” an interactive session where fans can engage with their favorite writers. Sharyn McCrumb holds this year’s spotlight, discussing her subject “Grassroots Saints and Honky Tonk Heroes.”
Venue and Admission
All festival activities, excluding lunch, will be held at the Dahlonega Baptist Church at 234 Hawkins St. Lunch will be held at the University of North Georgia Campus’s Dining Room A, just a few blocks away. Parking is free at the primary event venue.
Tickets for lunch, priced at $20, will be up for grabs from mid-February. These can be purchased from the DLF’s official website. All other festival events are free, with no registration required.
The Festival Experience
“Our festival exudes a small-town, intimate ambiance. Attendees can interact freely with authors, and this remains a cherished highlight for both parties,” shares Gessell. Visit www.literaryfestival.org for more festival details.
Guest List
Featured Authors: A list that includes 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: The lineup comprises Stephanie Briarton, Nancy Dunne, Jacqueline Jacobs, Jerilyn Johnson, Andrea Lane, Kathleen Brewer Lewis, Deborah Malone, Patricia McAlexander, Sherry Robinson, Jeffrey Shaw, C. Matthew Smith, Caroline Smith, Debbie Towns (aka Debbie Dee), Mark Williams, and Douglas Young.
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