NCSU Libraries Focus Online
Volume 25 number 1 - Fall 2004
Inspiring Stories Unfold During 2004 North Carolina Literary Festival
By Laura Hudson, Library Development
Visitors came by car, bus, van, and plane, ranging in age from the youngest
of readers to senior citizens. Their mission: to see, hear, and interact with
the nation's finest southern writers at the North Carolina Literary Festival,
hosted by the NCSU Libraries from April 15 through 18, 2004.
The literary journey began on April 15 in NC State's Stewart Theater with
a reading by Alice Walker, the award-winning author of The Color Purple.
In addition to reading from her latest novel Now Is The Time To Open Your
Heart: A Novel, she read from a book of her poems and answered questions
submitted by audience members.
The next evening, Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River, gave a rare
public reading from a novel he is writing. Afterward, the audience enjoyed
his candid discussion about working with Hollywood superpowers Clint Eastwood
and Sean Penn and his thoughts about writing and publishing.
The ensuing days ushered in beautiful weather and programs offered by more
than 100 artists. Orson Scott Card, Kaye Gibbons, John Balaban, Jay Wright,
Jill McCorkle, and Lee Smith were just some of the featured presenters. Daniel
Wallace, author of Big Fish, and Sarah Dessen, author of That
Summer and Someone Like You, discussed the experience of having
their novels turned into screenplays. Afterward, the public watched a free
showing of their featured films through the auspices of Campus Cinemas.
Readings, panel discussions, and informal conversations provided the backbone
of the biennial literary celebration, cosponsored by NCSU, UNC-Chapel Hill,
and Duke University. The Brickyard at NC State provided space for additional
activities throughout the weekend, including book sales sponsored by the NCSU
Friends of the Library and NCSU Campus Bookstores, an exhibit area, and the
chance to enjoy a variety of foods provided by Campus Dining Services. An outdoor
stage hosted such southern greats as Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter
David Holt, singer Tift Merritt, Appalachian writer Sharyn McCrumb, and childrenÕs
storyteller Willa Brigham.
This year's festival also included young North Carolinians. In fall 2003 the
Libraries hosted a bookmark art competition for students in kindergarten through
eighth grade. The judges ultimately selected one winner per grade from more
than 900 entries. Students in grades nine through twelve participated in an
essay contest responding to the theme "Literature Inspires Me To. . .
." Contest sponsors Ann Goodnight, representing the SAS Foundation, and
Bernie Reeves, publisher of Metro Magazine, were on hand during the
awards ceremony to recognize the twelve winners.
The 2004 Literary Festival offered visitors fun, food, and the chance to listen
to stories, obtain signed copies of books, and interact with acclaimed southern
writers, poets, storytellers, and performers. It was a true celebration of
literature during one glorious spring weekend.
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