Longleaf Writers Conference at Seaside

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County announces the 5th annual Longleaf Writers Conference to take place May 13 – 20 in Seaside, FL as part of Art Week South Walton. 

The Longleaf Writers Conference (formerly named Seaside Writers Conference) includes a full week of intensive writing workshops, one-day seminars, agent consultations, school outreach programs and social events. The conference, which takes place in and around the Academic Village in Seaside, FL, provides an opportunity for beginning, intermediate, and advanced writers to celebrate writing, to network, and to hone their craft. 

Visiting authors Tom Franklin (Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Poachers, Smonk, Hell at the Breach) and Jill McCorkle (The Cheerleader, Life After Life) will each lead a seminar and reading while guest agent Annie Hwang (Folio Literary Management) and guest editors Sara Weiss (Ballantine Books/Random House) and Eliza Borne (Oxford American Magazine), will offer one-on-one consultations with attendees. 

CLICK HERE for Financial aid, lodging, and registration details.

Other components of the conference include the Scholars and Fellows Program for developing writers, the Celia Baker Veteran Scholarship, and a scholarship specifically for writers of color. Longleaf also sponsors a public-school outreach program in which Scholars and Fellows work directly with 8th and 11th grade writers in the Walton County schools. Some of the students go on to read their work publicly as part of the conference alongside a headliner. 

The Longleaf Writers Conference (LWC) is produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and sponsored by the University of Mississippi, and The Seaside Institute.

Participants who pay for the full conference tuition will be able to take part in an intensive workshop and all daily activities, including special events, receptions and some meals. A la carte pricing is available for classes, workshops, consultations, and events perfect for locals who want to see what the SWC has to offer. Walk-ins are welcome. The Visiting Writer Readings are free and open to the public. Accommodations can also be secured through the registration process by paying the all-inclusive registration fee. Special Early Bird pricing available through March 20. Visit longleafwritersconference.com to register and for more information.

About Tom Franklin:
TOM FRANKLIN was born in the hamlet of Dickinson, Alabama, and was the first member of his family to finish college. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Crime Writers’ Association’s Gold Dagger Award. Franklin is a southern writer frequently compared with the likes of Cormac McCarthy and Flannery O’Connor, draws readers in with his expertly woven stories of crime, suspense, and colorful characters.

About Jill McCorkle:
JILL McCORKLE has the distinction of having her first two novels published on the same day in 1984. Of these novels, The New York Times Book Review said, “One suspects the author of The Cheer Leader is a born novelist, with July 7th, she is also a full grown one.” Since then she has published three other novels—her latest, Life After Life —and four collections of short stories.

The Longleaf Writers Conference is part of Art Week South Walton, an initiative of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County with the purpose to bring communities, organizations and businesses together to present quality arts and entertainment to the community. Spanning at least ten days, Art Week will feature visual, performing and literary arts programming in diverse formats and in various venues throughout South Walton. https://www.artweeksouthwalton.com/

Art Week Events:
May 9th | Art Week South Walton Kick-Off Event with Billy the Artist
May 10th | Explore Creativity with Justin Gaffery
May 10th | UMA Fundraiser with Shawn Mullins & His Band Soul Carnival
May 11th | Suspension of Disbelief Exhibition Opening
May 12 - 13th | ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
May 13th - 20th | Longleaf Writers Conference
May 16th - 20th | Northwest Florida Theatre Festival
May 17th | Art & Culture Social Hour with Modus Photography
May 18th - 20th | Digital Graffiti

Seaside is the picture-perfect little town where you can reach every shop, restaurant, art gallery and more by foot or bicycle. You'll delight in discovering the unique shops, beachfront accommodations, galleries and more in Seaside. More info about Seaside at SoWal.com | Towns.

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