Charleston Literary Festival to Feature Diverse Lineup of Authors in November

Notable participants include CNN anchor Jake Tapper, Booker Prize contender Katie Kitamura, "Southern Charm" star Patricia Altschul, acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates, environmentalist Bill McKibben, founder of Well-Read Black Girl Glory Edim, and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham. The Authors will present their latest works across various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, history, poetry, memoir, and biography.

Additionally, ahead of the festival, Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben will discuss their joint thriller, "Gone Before Goodbye," on October 21 at the Charleston Gaillard Center. Hoda Kotb from "The Today Show" will appear as part of a pre-festival event on September 20 at The Riviera.

The festival will also feature a film screening of "The Hours," inspired by "Mrs Dalloway," and a kid-friendly theater presentation from an Irish company, which condenses James Joyce’s "Ulysses" into a 40-minute performance. Writer Adam Gopnik from The New Yorker will also present a one-man monologue show.

Sarah Moriarty, the executive director of the festival, expressed enthusiasm about the programming, stating, "We strive to provoke thought, pique curiosity, entertain and challenge with expansive and innovative programming."

The festival will include panel discussions, special programs for educators, and opportunities for students and budding writers. VIP weekend packages and a Book Club Concierge are available for attendees, with a Festival Insider Pass costing $750 and granting access to all events and two exclusive parties. Individual tickets are also available, with most priced around $30.

The Charleston Literary Festival maintains a connection to its sister festival in Sussex, United Kingdom, which celebrates its 36th year this fall. Founded at the home and studio of Bloomsbury Group artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, it has long served as a space for innovative artistic exploration.