Spring Literary Festival

April 6-9, 2026

Join us in Cullowhee for four days of free readings and book signings by 19 of the country's best writers. Hear from bestsellers Ross Gay and Aimee Nezhukumatathil and Vanessa Lillie, National Book Award finalists Gabrielle Calvocoressi and Deborah Jackson Taffa, Guggenheim fellow Margot Livesey, Pen/Faulkner finalist Steve Yarbrough, and many more. Register now!

Festival Authors

Audience members listening to a speech and laughing at a joke

About the Festival

Jericho Brown signing a book at a table for Litfest

Writing Competitions

Festival Schedule

All events will take place in the AK Hinds University Center on WCU's Cullowhee campus. Festival uthors will share from their work, take audience questions, and sign books. City Lights Bookstore will be on site to sell books, and all events are free and open to the public.

Monday, April 6

12:00 - Gilbert Chappell Poets (UC Theater)

4:00 - Tommy Hays & Scott Gould (UC Theater)

7:30 - Catherine Carter & Alice Martin (UC Theater)

Tuesday, April 7

12:00 - Zackary Vernon & Lauren Yero (UC Theater)

4:00 - Joy Priest & Gabrielle Calvocoressi (UC Theater)

7:30 - Aimee Nezhukumatathil & Ross Gay (UC Grand Room)

Wednesday, April 8

12:00 - Panel Discussion: Working as a Writer (UC Theater)

4:00 - Stacy Jane Grover & José Orduña (UC Theater)

7:30 - Margot Livesey & Steve Yarbrough (UC Theater)