Short Story America Festival celebrates authors

The inaugural Short Story America Festival and Conference is scheduled for September 21-23 in Beaufort. This three-day celebration of new and classic short stories will feature readings by top authors of short fiction, including Eric Witchey of Portland, Aaron Gwyn of Charlotte, Gary Lawrence of San Diego, Gary Buslik of Chicago, Marjorie Brody of San Antonio, Ray Morrison of Winston-Salem, Gregg Cusick of Durham, Greg Hrbek of Skidmore College, James Goertel of Buffalo, Guy Tirondola of New Jersey (winner of the Beaufort Tricentennial Short Story Contest in 2011), Ken Burger (author of “Baptized in Sweet Tea”), Beaufort-based authors Katherine Tandy Brown and T.D. Johnston (editor of the Short Story America series), and will feature the stories of writers like Beaufort’s Warren Slesinger, Martin McCaw and other contemporary writers of short stories.
Visiting authors will give seminars and workshops on writing and analysis of short stories all day on Saturday, September 22, in the classrooms at USCB’s Center for the Arts in Beaufort. Readings and signings by authors will take place throughout the day in the arts center’s theater, with a chance for discussion of each story with the story’s author.
On Friday evening, the Opening Reception and Launch Party for “Short Story America, Volume Two” will start at 6 p.m. at the Old Bay Marketplace Loft downtown. This is a great chance to spend time with visiting and local authors, and to get your copy of “Volume Two” signed by authors, as well as your copy of “Volume I,” which is a highly praised collection of 56 short stories. On Saturday afternoon and evening, authors and local readers will share stories with the audience in the arts center’s theater. There will also be several reading performances by area high school students, as well as screenings of three short films. The evening will culminate with the awards reception in the arts center.
Passes are available for $35 for the entire festival, by registering at www.eventbrite.com or by going to www.shortstoryamerica.com and clicking on FESTIVAL. You may also get passes from Tim Johnston at Short Story America by calling him at 843-597-3220 or 843-524-7800, or writing to tim@shortstoryamerica.com.