2020 Virtual Literary Festival
2020 Virtual Literary Festival
Jeff VanderMeer and Carmen Maria Machado: In Conversation
Watch “The Weird Thoreau” Jeff VanderMeer and National Book Award Finalist Carmen Maria Machado in conversation about their award-winning and genre-bending books.
Jeff VanderMeer and Carmen Maria Machado: In Conversation
Kiese Laymon and Crystal Wilkinson: In Conversation
Watch a conversation between award-winning writers Kiese Laymon (Heavy, Long Division, and How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America) and Crystal Wilkinson (Perfect Black, The Birds of Opulence, Water Street, and Blackberries, Blackberries).
Kiese Laymon and Crystal Wilkinson: In Conversation
Doug Bock Clark and Kerry Howley: In Conversation
Watch New York Times Notable author and GQ Correspondent Doug Bock Clark in conversation with National Magazine Award finalist and New York Magazine Contributing Writer Kerry Howley as they discuss their immersive nonfiction books and longform journalism.
Doug Bock Clark and Kerry Howley: In Conversation
A Conversation with "the weird Thoreau," Jeff VanderMeer
Watch the conversation with New York Times bestselling author Jeff VanderMeer, hosted by WCU English Professor, Dr. Laura Wright as they discuss the natural and unnatural worlds of Jeff's novels and using art to take on environmental issues. Buy Jeff's books.
A Conversation with "the weird Thoreau," Jeff VanderMeer
An Interview with poets Jessica Jacobs and Nickole Brown
Current Master of Arts in English student, Whitney Waters, visits Jessica Jacobs and Nickole Brown in their home in Asheville to talk poetry, research, marriage, and more.
An Interview with poets Jessica Jacobs and Nickole Brown
Interview with Doug Bock Clark
Doug Bock Clark, author of the The Last Whalers and correspondent for GQ, speaks with festival director Jeremy Jones about his work. Buy Doug's book.
Interview with Doug Bock Clark
Joni Tevis
Essayist Joni Tevis reads from her essay "And Shelter Cannot Help Us" and offers listeners a writing exercise. Buy Joni's books.
Joni Tevis
Pamela Duncan
Writer and WCU professor Pamela Duncan reads a new short story, "Real Life." Buy Pam's books.
Pamela Duncan
Wesley Browne Reads from Hillbilly Hustle
Debut novelist Wesley Browne reads from Hillbilly Hustle. Wesley is an attorney, business owner, and writer living in Kentucky. Buy the book.
(Wesley mentions Bookstore.org, but he meant to say Bookshop.org)
Wesley Browne Reads from Hillbilly Hustle
Ashleigh Bryant Phillips
Ashleigh Bryant Phillips reads her short story "Shania" from her forthcoming collection Sleepovers, which won the C. Michael Curtis Prize. Ashleigh will be at the 2021 Spring Literary Festival. Preorder the book.
Ashleigh Bryant Phillips
Cassandra Kircher - Reading and Tour
Essayist Cassandra Kircher reads from her book Far Flung and takes viewers on visual tour of Rocky Mountain National Park. Buy the book.
Cassandra Kircher - Reading and Tour
Kathryn Kirkpatrick Reads Her Poetry
Poet and Appalachian State University professor Kathryn Kirkpatrick reads from her poems. Buy Kathryn's work.
Kathryn Kirkpatrick Reads Her Poetry
Poet Catherine Carter
Dr. Catherine Carter works in English education, poetry, and American literature, and is the author of the poetry collections Larvae of the Nearest Stars, Marks of the Witch, The Swamp Monster at Home , and The Memory of Gills. Buy Catherine's books.
Poet Catherine Carter
Jessica Jacobs reads "How to Pray"
Poet Jessica Jacobs reads "How to Pray" which is a Thomas Merton Prize in Poetry of the Sacred, Honorable Mention. Her poetry, essays, and fiction have appeared in publications including Orion, New England Review, Guernica, and The Missouri Review.
Jessica Jacobs reads "How to Pray"
Jessica Jacobs reads "A Question to Ask When the Honeymoon is Over"
Poet Jessica Jacobs reads a poem from her collection Take Me With You, Wherever You Go. Buy the book.
Jessica Jacobs reads "A Question to Ask When the Honeymoon is Over"
Nickole Brown reads A Prayer to Talk to Animals
'A Prayer to Talk to Animals' is an incantation that opens a forthcoming collection with its eye to animal sentience and behavior, and ultimately, it’s my attempt to give voice to what we’re bound to lose in the face of climate change and continued ecological devastation.
Nickole Brown reads A Prayer to Talk to Animals
Nickole Brown reads "Mercy"
Poet Nickole Brown reads a poem from her chapbook To Those Who Were Our First Gods. Buy Nickole's work.
Nickole Brown reads "Mercy"
Poet Kevin Boyle
Kevin Boyle’s book, Astir, was a finalist for the 2016 Brockman-Campbell Prize. His first collection, A Home for Wayward Girls, won the New Issues Poetry Prize, judged by Rodney Jones, and his chapbook, The Lullaby of History, was selected by David Rivard for the Campbell Award. He now teaches writing and literature at Elon University in North Carolina.
Poet Kevin Boyle
Student Rae Hanes Reads Her Poem
Winner of the 2020 Kathryn Stripling Byer Prize in Poetry, WCU student Rae Hanes reads her poem "How to Make Spaghetti." Kevin Boyle judged the prize, part of the first annual LitFest Creative Writing Competition.
Student Rae Hanes Reads Her Poem
Chrishaun Baker Reads His Essay
Winner of the 2020 Prize in Nonfiction, WCU student Chrishaun Baker reads from his essay "Shaniya." Judged by Cassandra Kircher, the prize was part of the first annual LitFest Creative Writing Competition.
Chrishaun Baker Reads His Essay