By Sharon Thomason, Special to the Tribune
The 2023 Dahlonega Literary Festival (DLF) is Saturday, March 4, and will be a day filled with a variety of events appealing to fans of various genres of fiction and non-fiction writing.
This year’s featured speaker is Rick Bragg, beloved southern journalist and author of twelve books who also writes a monthly column for Southern Living magazine and often contributes to Garden and Gun magazine. He speaks at 5 p.m., followed by a book signing of his latest New York Times best-seller, A Speckled Beauty: A Dog and His People.
Other nationally known authors appearing at the festival, discussing their books and writing process through panels and individual presentations (in addition to Bragg) are Jacob Appel, Mike Buchanan, Bill Curry, Carolyn Curry, John Cribb, Peter Farris, Andrew Feiler, Jerry Grillo, Ann Hite, Soniah Kamal, Meagan Lucas, Annabel Monaghan, Chris Negron, Brian Panowich, John Pruitt, William Rawlings, C.T. Salazar, Rona Simmons, Jan Slimming, Bill Walsh, William Wright and Ben Wynne.
Also, this year DLF showcases over 15 Regional Writers (independently published), offers workshops for would-be writers, and presents special panels honoring the legacy of two north Georgia writers, both members of the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame. “We Remember Terry Kay” panelists include his brother Rev. John Kay, Marc Jolley, director of Mercer University Press, which published seven of Kay’s book, Kathi Jolley, designer for To Dance with the White Dog, Kay’s best-known book, and Rona Simmons and Diane Rooks, writers who were friend of the beloved author of eighteen novels. Kay died in December of 2020.
A panel on noted North Georgia mountain poet Byron Herbert Reece, “When I’m Beyond the Reach of Song, Mountain Poet Laureate Byron Herbert Reece,” will be presented by members of the Reece Society, Rev. John Kay, Ruth Looper, professor at Young Harris College who teaches a course on Reece and Justin Shook, a Rabun County teacher who is developing curriculum to educate today’s young people on Reece’s contributions to the literary world. Reece received national attention for his writing, winning two Guggenheim Awards and a Pulitzer nomination. In addition to several volumes of poetry, Reece wrote two novels. He died in 1958 at age 40.
A favorite tradition at DLF is “Lunch with Featured Authors.” This year’s speaker is Bill Curry, football great (college and pro) and acclaimed speaker. Plus, each featured author will have a designated table allowing fans to join them for lunch and conversation.
“Our festival has a small-town, relaxed atmosphere where everyone has chances to interact casually. Authors and attendees tell us that is one of their favorite things about our event,” said Donna Gessell, chairperson of DLF.
“Also, we present a variety of genres. We will have sessions on poetry, historical fiction, Rosenwald Schools, Georgia music, southern crime – real and fiction, World War II, and more.”
All events, except lunch, are at the Dahlonega Baptist Church, 234 Hawkins St. with free parking. Lunch is at the University of North Georgia Campus, 404 Georgia Circle, Dining Room A – just a few blocks from the Baptist church.
Visit www.literaryfestival.org for more information. Tickets will be available for purchase, beginning in February, for Bragg’s Featured Speaker event and “Lunch with Your Favorite Authors.” Tickets for each event are $20. All other events are free, and no registration is required.