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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T190000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20260604T154511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001487-1788627600-1788634800@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Dana Ridenour Book Launch- All the Hidden Pieces
DESCRIPTION:Saturday September 5\, 5:00-7:00PM EDT\nPrice: Free \nRegistration: Refreshments will be served and space is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025. \nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort \nABOUT THE AUTHOR:\nDana Ridenour is a retired FBI agent and the award-winning author of the Lexie Montgomery thriller series. Behind the Mask was named one of the best indie books of 2016 by Kirkus\nReviews\, while Beyond the Cabin won the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Award for best thriller or suspense novel\, and Below the Radar was the 2020 Readers’ Favorite gold-medal winner in\nthe thriller genre as well as the 2021 Feathered Quill Book Awards gold/first-place winner for best adult fiction. Dana has also written two television screenplays. Her screenplay for Below\nthe Radar was a finalist for an Atlanta International Screenplay Award.\nAn avid kayak angler and hiker\, Dana lives in Beaufort\, South Carolina\, where she is working on her fifth novel. \nABOUT THE BOOK:\nWhen Julia Chandler’s husband dies in a late-night car crash\, grief and betrayal drive her to do something impulsive: hike all 2\,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Joined by three of her oldest friends\, each carrying secrets of their own\, Julia sets out to rediscover herself. What begins as an escape soon becomes a test of endurance\, courage\, and trust. As the friends tackle brutal climbs\, raging storms\, and dangerous wildlife encounters\, they begin to shed the layers of guilt\, fear\, and regret that have long defined them. But when a heart-stopping accident\noccurs on the trail\, their strength and courage are pushed to the next level. From Georgia to Maine\, each mile forces them to face the truths they’ve buried for years. An emotional\, heart pounding story about the unbreakable bonds that carry us through life’s roughest miles and the transformative power of nature\, All the Hidden Pieces invites readers to reflect on the hidden pieces we all carry and the beauty of finding wholeness again.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/dana-ridenour-book-launch-all-the-hidden-pieces/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260910T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260910T183000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20260618T164507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001560-1789059600-1789065000@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Author Event: An Evening with Susan Beckham Zurenda in Conversation with Cassandra King
DESCRIPTION:Thursday September 10 – 5:00-6:30 PM EDT\nPrice: Free\nRegistration: Seating is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.\nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort \nABOUT THE BOOK:\nHer latest novel\, No Way Out but Through\, scheduled for August 2026\, continues her exploration of Southern life and human connection. Two women of different generations—one scarred by an abusive teen marriage and the other by an alcoholic husband—come together to grapple with their inner demons and confront their untold stories. \nABOUT THE AUTHORS:\nSusan Beckham Zurenda- taught English for 33 years on the college level and at the high school level to AP students. Her debut novel\, Bells for Eli (Mercer University Press\, March 2020; paperback edition March 2021)\, was selected the first place winner for Best First Book—Fiction in the 2021 IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards)\, a Foreword Indie Book Award finalist\, a Winter 2020 Okra Pick by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance\, a 2020 Notable Indie on Shelf Unbound\, a 2020 finalist for American Book Fest Best Book Awards\, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize for 2021. Susan has won numerous awards for her short fiction\, including winning the South Carolina Fiction Prize twice. Her second novel\, The Girl From the Red Rose Motel (Mercer University Press\, September 2023)\, was the recipient of the 2024 Patricia Winn Award in Southern Fiction\, Gold Medal winner in the 2024 IPPY Awards for Southeast Fiction\, a 2024 Pushcart Prize nominee\, a Shelf Unbound 2023 Notable 100 books\, and a finalist in the American Book Fest Awards. The author lives in Spartanburg\, SC. \nCASSANDRA KING- is the award-winning author of two books of non-fiction and five novels\, Making Waves\, The Sunday Wife\, The Same Sweet Girls\, Queen of Broken Hearts\, and Moonrise\, as well as numerous short stories and articles.The Sunday Wife was a Book Sense Pick and a People magazine Page Turner of the Week; on release\, The Same Sweet Girls was the number one Book Sense selection nationwide. Queen of Broken Hearts\, was a Book of the Month Club and Literary Guild selection. Her latest book\, Tell Me a Story\, was named SIBA’s non-fiction Book of the Year. In 2025\, Cassandra was the recipient of the Harper Lee Prize\, a lifetime achievement award presented by the Harper Lee Foundation. A native of L. A. (Lower Alabama)\, Cassandra resides in Beaufort\, South Carolina\, where she is honorary chair of the Pat Conroy Literary Center.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/author-event-an-evening-with-susan-beckham-zurenda-in-conversation-with-cassandra-king/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T190000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20260831T154511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001752-1789750800-1789758000@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Welcome Robert Gwaltney Reception
DESCRIPTION:Please Join Us in Welcoming Robert Gwaltney! \nThe Pat Conroy Literary Center invites you to join us for a special afternoon as we welcome our new Executive Director\, Robert Gwaltney. \nABOUT THE EVENT \nFriday\, September 18\n5:00PM-7:00PM\nPat Conroy Literary Center \nRegistration: Refreshments will be served and space is limited; PLEASE CALL to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.\nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort \nCome meet Robert\, enjoy good food and drinks\, and spend some time with friends of the Literary Center as we begin this exciting new chapter together. \nCatering by Debbi Covington will provide the food\, and a complimentary bar will be available. \nPrice: Free \nDonation:\nWe encourage you to consider making a donation in Robert’s honor either by check\, or you an go here:\nhttps://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/pat-conroy-literary-center/conroy-center-primary-form \nYour support will help the Literary Center continue bringing writers\, readers\, and the power of storytelling together in our community. \nABOUT ROBERT GWALTNEY:\nRobert brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and community service to the Center\, along with a deep appreciation for literature\, storytelling\, and the legacy of Pat Conroy. We hope you’ll come introduce yourself\, hear a little about his vision for the Center\, and help us give him a warm Lowcountry welcome. \nAgain\, there is no charge to attend\, but if you’d like to help us welcome Robert and support the work ahead\, we would be grateful for a contribution in his honor.  \nRSVP requested. \nRegistration: Refreshments will be served and space is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.\nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/welcome-robert-gwaltney-reception/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260926T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260926T150000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20260623T164506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001563-1790413200-1790434800@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:10th Annual Lowcountry Book Club Convention-Tickets Now On Sale!
DESCRIPTION:Reserve your tickets now for the 10th Annual Lowcountry Book Club Convention\, hosted by the Pat Conroy Literary Center\, on September 26\, 2026. \n Where: Culinary Institute of the South | 1 Venture Dr\, Bluffton\, SC 29910. \nTickets:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-lowcountry-book-club-convention-tickets-1996493138722?aff=ebdssbdestsearch \nThe nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center will host the 10th annual Lowcountry Book Club Convention on Saturday\, September 26\, at the Culinary Institute of the South at the Technical College of the Lowcountry in Bluffton. Ideal for book club members\, those interested in joining a book club\, or anyone who simply loves the joy of reading. \nThere will be book signings after each session and gourmet box lunches available\, provided by Catering by Debbi Covington. \nThis is also a great time to meet Robert Gwaltney\, the new Executive Director of the Pat Conroy Literary Center.  \nHere’s the schedule: \n9:30am \nRegistration \n10-11am \nKeynote speaker:Colleen Oakley in conversation with Cassandra King  \n11-11:30am \nBook sales and signing \n11:30-12:30\nAuthor conversation\, Dana Ridenour and Susan Zurenda interviewed by Margaret Evans \n12:30-1:30\nBook signing break and lunch (Catered box lunches) \n1:30-2:30 \nAuthor presentation\, Jennifer Moorman in conversation with Annette Flavel \n2:30-3pm \nFinal book sales and signing \nThis is a ticketed event\, so if you’re interested\, go ahead and reserve your tickets today.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/10th-annual-book-club-convention-save-the-date/
LOCATION:Culinary Institute of the South at Technical College of the Lowcountry\, 1 Venture Drive\, Bluffton\, SC\, 29910\, US
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T180000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20260622T144507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001562-1790870400-1790877600@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Author Event:  Book Launch and Lowcountry Celebration with Author Lynn Seldon
DESCRIPTION:Thursday October 1 – 4:00-6:00 PM EDT\nPrice: Free\nRegistration: Refreshments from the Pat Conroy Cookbook will be served and space is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025. \nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort\nJoin us for a book launch and lowcountry celebration in honor of Lynn Seldon’s new book:Pat Conroy’s Lowcountry.  \nABOUT THE BOOK:\nDiscover the landscapes\, culture\, and communities that shaped one of the South’s most beloved literary voices through an immersive journey across South Carolina’s storied Lowcountry. From the tidal marshes and historic streets of Charleston to the quiet charm of Beaufort\, readers are invited to explore the places that inspired a lifetime of storytelling by Pat Conroy. This engaging history and travel narrative highlights the region’s rich heritage\, coastal beauty\, and vibrant culture while tracing the author’s deep personal connection to the communities he called home. \nFollow the path through beloved Lowcountry destinations including Fripp Island\, St. Helena Island\, and Daufuskie Island―locations that appear frequently in Conroy’s novels and memoirs. The journey also explores formative chapters of his life\, from his time as a cadet at The Citadel to his years teaching in Beaufort County schools and on remote coastal islands. \nBlending literary history\, regional storytelling\, and practical travel inspiration\, this richly detailed guide offers readers a unique perspective on the South Carolina Lowcountry. Along the way\, it highlights historic landmarks\, Gullah Geechee heritage\, scenic waterways\, renowned coastal cuisine\, and authentic local experiences that continue to define this extraordinary region. \nABOUT THE AUTHOR:\nLynn Seldon is a veteran travel journalist who has written for Southern Living\, Garden & Gun\, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution\, and hundreds of other print and online publications. He has also authored or coauthored more than a half dozen books\, including 100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die\, 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die\, and 100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die (with Cele Seldon);\nOur Vanishing Americana: A South Carolina Portrait (with Cele Seldon and Mike Lassiter); and Virginia’s Ring and Carolina’s Ring\, the first two novels of his “Ring Trilogy.” Seldon’s friend and mentor Pat Conroy called Virginia’s Ring “a triumph and a tour de force\,” while Cassandra King called Carolina’s Ring “an unforgettable story of love\, loss\, and redemption.” Seldon and his wife\, fellow travel journalist Cele Seldon\, live in Beaufort\, South Carolina
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/author-event-book-launch-and-lowcountry-celebration-with-author-lynn-seldon/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261003T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261017T140000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20261002T194513Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001766-1791036000-1792245600@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Literary Center AUCTION- LIVE NOW!
DESCRIPTION:THE AUCTION IS LIVE NOW (The end date is actually Oct 20; will change as we get closer- Facebook Events will not let us put an end date more than 2 weeks away.OCT 20 at 9P is the end date.) \nPlease help the Conroy Literary Center by participating in our Literary Festival Online Auction. Many items are one-of-a-kind\, many signed by Pat\, used by Pat\, rare first edition signed books\, Beaufort experiences\, jewelery\, etc. All of these come directly from the Pat Conroy Literary Center\, Conroy family members\, or supporters of the Center. \nEvery bid helps keep the Pat Conroy Literary Center thriving—supporting the programs\, authors\, educators\, and community events that bring Pat’s legacy and love of literature to life.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/literary-center-auction/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261022T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261025T160000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20260618T164506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001559-1792688400-1792944000@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:11th Annual Pat Conroy Literary Festival
DESCRIPTION:Tickets NOW ON SALE! \nThe 11th Annual Conroy Festival will be held on Thursday October 22\,through Sunday\, October 25\, as a series of free and ticketed events in Beaufort\, SC\, featuring author discussions\, writers workshops\, a screening of one of a film adaptation of one of Pat’s beloved novels\, and more.Here is the schedule:\nOctober 22\nWelcome Party and Silent Auction\, 601 Bay Street (The Prince of Tides House)\, 5:30-8:00\n October 23\n 10-12 noonTruth or Dare\, panel discussion\, USC-B Auditorium\, 805 Carteret St.\n 1:15-3:30pm Silver Linings Playbook screening\, USC-B Auditorium\n 4:30-7:30pm The Great Santini reception\, interview w/Michael O’Keefe and movie screening\,\nUSC-B Auditorium\n October 24\n 10:12noon “Fiction Can Fix Things” Lecture\, Beaufort Library\, 311 Scott St.\n1-2:30pm Matthew Quick – Interview and Book Signing\, USC-B Auditorium\n3-4:30pm Southern Women Writers Panel Discussion\, USC-B Auditorium\n 5:30-7pm Open House\, Conroy Center\, 601 Bladen St.\nOctober 25\n 11-1pm Brunch with Lynn Seldon\, Saltus River Grill\, 802 Bay Street \nFor tickets:\n–See the link in the Details area under ‘website’\n–Go to patconroyliterarycenter.com under ‘Events’\n–OR\, just use this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/11th-annual-pat-conroy-literary-festival-4866144
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/11th-annual-pat-conroy-literary-festival/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261029T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261029T183000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20260908T164522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001753-1793293200-1793298600@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Author Event: An Evening with Renea Winchester (in convesation with Mary Ellen Thompson
DESCRIPTION:Thursday October 29 – 5:00-6:30 PM EDT\nPrice: Free\nRegistration: Seating is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.\nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort \nABOUT THE BOOK:\nSadie Bird lives in Shaconage\, North Carolina\, with Lazarus\, a mixed-breed dog she rescued from the forest. Sadie supports herself by harvesting medicinal plants which she uses in her tonics and salves. Having recently buried her husband and children\, Sadie is more worried about surviving the winter than the federal government’s plan to create the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When Bowman Marks\, a government agent tasked with acquiring thousands of acres of land\, arrives at Sadie’s place\, their initial meeting does not go well. Bowman secretly vows to acquire her land by any means necessary and soon presents an unacceptable offer to purchase. In 1929\, a woman without a husband is a woman without a voice. Forced to swallow her pride\, Sadie asks for help from church members who had cast her out. She soon realizes that to help herself and her neighbors\, she must take an active role in a lawsuit against the government filed by the timber baron who employed Sadie’s husband. \nABOUT AUTHOR RENEA WINCHESTER:\nRenea is a daughter of Appalachia who began her writing career in Georgia where she penned several non-fiction works including\, Farming\, Friends & Fried Bologna Sandwiches (Mercer University Press) which was nominated for the prestigious SIBA award\, earned Renea a Georgia Author of the Year\, and received the endorsement from The Pulpwood Queens\, the largest book club in the country. Renea is the recipient of the Wilma Dykeman Award\, the Appalachian Writer’s Award\, and the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for women who elevate the world.  \nRenea has served on the Atlanta Writers Board\, Georgia Writers Association\, and judges multiple literary awards. In April 2020\, Firefly Southern Fiction released Outbound Train. Set in her hometown of Bryson City\, North Carolina\, in 1976\, Outbound Train is a triumphant story of perseverance and hope despite the harshness of poverty. The novel released internationally titled\, De l’autre côté des rails. \nRenea is passionate about literacy\, Appalachian Heritage\, preserving rare seeds\, fiercely defending libraries\, cultivating endangered plants\, and meeting new friends. \nABOUT MARY ELLEN THOMPSON:\nSince I was a child\, I have loved to write. My first rejection letter came in August 1970\, from Mademoiselle magazine. Since then\, thankfully\, I have had more acceptances than rejections. During the eight years I wrote for Beaufort Lifestyle and her sister magazines\, in 54 issues my portfolio consisted of 119 profiles of people/stories\, 16 restaurant profiles\, and 20 advertorials.\nI have written for other print publications and on-line websites listed below. I have also written a speech for the Mayor of Wandsworth\, London\, UK which was delivered at a women’s empowerment conference.\nI am currently an Associate Editor for Southern Literary Review.\nProbably what is dearest to my heart in the world of writing\, is the inclusion of an interview I was joyful to experience with Pat Conroy\, in the book A Lowcountry Heart. My greatest accomplishments in life are my daughter\, Elizabeth\, and my son\, Alexander.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/author-event-an-evening-with-renea-winchester-in-convesation-with-mary-ellen-thompson/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261112T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261112T183000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20261006T164509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001767-1794502800-1794508200@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Author Event with Ellery Adams
DESCRIPTION:Thursday November 12 – 5:00-6:30 PM EDT\nPrice: Free\nRegistration: Seating is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.\nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort \nABOUT THE BOOK:\nIn the latest of Ellery Adams’ USA Today bestselling series\, as clouds gather over the Great Smoky Mountains\, an absent groom\, a stolen historical document\, and a book club coming apart at the seams stir up a different sort of storm in this engaging mystery. How far will one book lover go to keep a secret?  \nAs the townsfolk of Miracle Springs\, North Carolina\, know all too well\, water can be healing—or devastating. With a big storm coming\, residents are stocking up on essentials. Hoping to beat the storm\, Nora is sitting in the Unitarian Church with her fellow wedding guests\, all of whom belong to Sheldon’s Blind Date Book Club. As rain hammers the stained-glass windows\, the bride\, Jess\, waits in the back of the church—but where is the groom? When a branch crashes through a stained-glass window\, Jess finally tells the guests to go home.\nWith the help of her friend Sheldon\, Nora escorts Jess to the Lodge. It’s now become clear that Jess’s fiancé Ravi is missing. But there’s no searching for him now\, as the Miracle River has flooded and they’re stuck on this side of town. By morning\, they awaken to widespread devastation and a call from Sherriff McCabe. A body has been pulled out of the river\, dressed in a tux.\nOn top of tragic turn of events\, Jess returns home to find her house has been spared from the raging water\, but ransacked\, with an extremely valuable folio from an illuminated manuscript now missing. As Miracle Books becomes the community hub for information\, shelter\, and hope\, Nora and the Secret\, Book\, and Scone Society put their heads together to solve the murder and the theft.\nBut then a second body is pulled from the river…  \nABOUT THE AUTHOR:\nEllery Adams is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 40 mystery novels\, including the Book Retreat Mysteries\, The Secret\, Book\, and Scone Society series\, and the Books by the Bay Mysteries. A native of New York\, she grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sound. She now lives with her husband and two children in Chapel Hill\, North Carolina\, so she considers herself “baked in the North and buttered in the South.” For more information\, reading guides\, and bibliotherapy lists\, please visit www.elleryadamsbooks.com.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/author-event-with-ellery-adams/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261114T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261114T170000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20261016T164510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001770-1794661200-1794675600@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Lowcountry Children's Book Fair
DESCRIPTION:Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair Returns to Bluffton for Ninth Annual Celebration of Reading. \nFree event on November 14 at Tanger 1 features 16 children’s authors\, interactive storytimes\, book signings\, and a holiday celebration. \nYoung readers and their families are invited to celebrate the joy of reading at the 9th annual Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair on Saturday\, November 14\, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Tanger 1 in Bluffton. This free community event will bring together 16 children’s authors from across the Southeast for an afternoon of author visits\, interactive storytimes\, and book signings.\nThe book fair kicks off a full day of activities at Tanger 1 as the featured event of Tanger Outlets’ Tree Lighting Celebration.It offers families an opportunity to discover new books\, meet the authors behind them\, and get personalized gifts for young readers. \n9th Annual Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair\nSaturday\, November 14th\, 1–5 p.m.\nTanger 1\n1256 Fording Island Road\, Bluffton\, SC \nThis year’s featured local author is Ann Lilly\, creator of the enormously popular Scoot series. Lilly will host interactive storytimes featuring her new holiday book\, Scoot’s Coastal Christmas\, at 1:30\, 3:00\, and 4:00 p.m.\nThe Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair will also showcase authors from the southeast. The list includes: Kelly Byrd\, Rebecca Bruff\, Judy Drew Fairchild\, Angela May\, Katherine Robinson\, Mary T. Jacobs\, Kate Devlin\, Doug Snelson\, Helen Wilbur\, and others. South Carolina’s only children’s book publisher\, Lucky Rabbit Publishing\, will also participate with their featured author Meredith Walker. \nThe Lowcountry Children’s Book Fair is presented by The Storybook Shoppe\, the non-profit Pat Conroy Literary Center\, and Tanger Outlets. \nMedia inquiries:\nSally Sue Lavigne at The Storybook Shoppe\n843-263-8156\nsallysue@thestorybookshoppe.com.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/lowcountry-childrens-book-fair-3/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261208T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261208T183000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20261007T154515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001768-1796749200-1796754600@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Author Event: An Evening with Roger Newman
DESCRIPTION:Thursday December 8 – 5:00-6:30 PM EDT\nPrice: Free\nRegistration: Seating is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.\nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort \nABOUT THE BOOK: \nWHICH IS STRONGER? THE LOVING BOND BETWEEN A BLACK MAN AND HIS WHITE BROTHER OR THE RACISM THAT PULLS THEM APART? \nBased on a North Carolina Family’s True Story\, New Novel Brings to Life the Contrasting Childhoods\, Military Experiences and Futures of a Black Man and a White Man Raised Together—and the Complexities of Their Fraternity \nAfter Alex’s family is killed by the Ku Klux Klan during the Great Depression\, he is taken in by a local dairy farmer who finds him hiding in his barn. The farmer raises Alex alongside hisyoung son Pete\, and the two boys come to view themselves as brothers. Together\, they navigate the Jim Crow era in the rural South—a challenge they experience differently because of their different skin colors—and then head off to fight in segregated military units in World War II. Through separation\, diverging military careers and escalating racial hostilitythey grow up and grow apart\, estranged by the complexities of being Black and White brothers. At least until their lives bring them back together demanding a choice as to where their loyalty lies… \nBased on the true story of the author’s North Carolina family\, Boys—a work ofhistorical fiction by distinguished physician and medical thriller author Roger Newman (Koehler Books\, January 2025)—takes readers from the segregated deep south to the battlefields of World War II and Vietnam\, tracing the state of racial injustice and the ways it shapes the brothers’ lives. Equal parts a heartfelt exploration of family\, friendship\, and resilience and a captivating exploration of US history and race\, Boys leaves readers to contemplate which is stronger: the loving bond between a Black man and his White brother\, or the racism that pulls them apart. \nPraise for Boys:\n“The relationship between Alex and Pete is a profoundly complex one and is rendered with impressive subtlety by Newman\, who admirably refuses any facile sentimentality. Alex is a particularly memorable protagonist—it is both fascinating and heartbreaking to see how he manages to maintain both gratitude and anger in his heart in equal measure. The novel is affecting but not cloyingly manipulative\, an increasingly rare accomplishment in the field of contemporary literature. A powerful and nuanced novel about racial tensions in 20th-century America.”\n—Kirkus \n“Vivid descriptions of rural life\, military service\, and racial tension add rich layers to Newman’s narrative\, immersing readers in the characters’ struggles and triumphs while exploring war trauma\, systemic discrimination\, and gentle self-discovery amid the harsh cruelty of their world. Boys is a complex dive into human connection\, an ode to finding strength in adversity\, the enduring scars of racism\, and the power of love and loyalty.”\n—BookLife \n“Clear-eyed\, unsentimental writing sculpts characters\, like Poppa\, who are filled with disturbing contradictions—and utterly true-to-life. Newman also informs on a rich tapestry of topics and insights\, from military cruelties and politics to cows to Supreme Court cases to 1970s breakfast foods. Sharp dialogue and plenty of humor entertainReaders will laugh\, learn\, and become immersed in this fascinating story from its early\, horrifying pages to its satisfying\, cathartic conclusion and will eagerly await Newman’s next book.”\n—Blue Ink Review \n“An incredibly moving coming-of-age story that beautifully portrays friendship’s strength and the courage to face adversity. Newman captures the daily rhythms and struggles of the era\, bringing to life both the beauty and starkness of rural America…. [This book] deserves a thousand stars.”\n—Carol Thompson\, Readers’ Favorite (Five Stars) \n“The characters in Boys are genuinely flawed and relatable. The historical setting is fully drawn\, and the social constructs of the time are skillfully explored in this spellbinding narrative. Boys is a tale that is rich in its themes\, eloquent in the issues it tackles\, and fascinating in its characterization.”\n—Divine Zape\, Readers’ Favorite (Five Stars) \n“Boys is a masterful exploration of race\, privilege\, and the strength of familial bonds\, inviting readers to question the meaning of loyalty and brotherhood in the face of systemic injustice.”\n—K.C. Finn\, Readers’ Favorite (Five Stars) \nABOUT THE AUTHOR:\nIn addition to Boys\, Roger Newman (rogerbnewman.com) is the author of a series of medical thrillers: Occam’s Razor\, Two Drifters\, and What Becomes; and a Civil War historical fiction novel Will O’ the Wisp: Madness\, War\, and Recompense. He is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology\, specializing in the care of women with multiple gestations. He has authoredtwo hundred scientific papers\, a dozen book chapters\, and the award-winning and bestselling When You’re Expecting Twins\, Triplets\, or Quads; Fourth Edition. He served as the national president for the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and has beenvoted by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” for thirty consecutive years. He and his wife\, Diane\, live on the Ashley River in Charleston\, South Carolina.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/author-event-an-evening-with-roger-newman/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270128T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270128T183000
DTSTAMP:20261019T224524Z
CREATED:20261012T174506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T224524Z
UID:10001769-1801155600-1801161000@patconroyliterarycenter.org
SUMMARY:Author Event: Adele Myers\, in conversation with Robert Gwaltney
DESCRIPTION:Thursday Januart 28 – 5:00-6:30 PM EDT\nPrice: Free\nRegistration: Seating is limited; please call to reserve your spot: 843-379-7025.\nVenue: Pat Conroy Literary Center | 601 Bladen St.\, Beaufort \nABOUT THE BOOK:\nBelle Haven Finishing School is an intergenerational tale about a Southern finishing school set in 1951 and 1987\, inspired by the true story of a decades-old cover-up that binds two women together\, thirty years apart. \n“There are times when the greater good must take precedence\,” he said. “When the sacrifices of the few lead to scientific breakthroughs that improve the lives of thousands\, tens of thousands.”�“But at what cost?” she asked.\nIn 1951\, Belle Haven Finishing School offers orphan girls the promise of a brighter future. For Birdie and her cousin Rue\, it’s a chance to become proper ladies\, to dream beyond their small world\, and change the trajectory of their lives. But as Birdie navigates the school’s unusual rules and glamorous\, yet unsettling\, atmosphere\, she begins to question the true intentions behind its polished facade—and what it might mean for her and Rue. \nIn 1987\, Charlotte Davenport\, a burgeoning New York Times reporter who is hungry to cover stories beyond the ladies’ lifestyle pages\, discovers a curious connection between the finishing school and an academic study that was never published. Charlotte is convinced a cover-up took place to protect the prominent university professor behind the unethical experiment. As Charlotte pieces together the past\, she finds herself drawn into a mystery that touches her own life in unexpected ways. \nDramatic\, deeply human\, emotionally satisfying\, and written with vivid historical details\, Belle Haven Finishing School is a heartfelt tale of ambition\, the power of female connection\, and the courage to seek the truth. \nABOUT THE AUTHOR:\nAdele Myers is the author of THE TOBACCO WIVES\, an Indie Next and Barnes & Noble Discover Pick. She grew up in Asheville\, North Carolina\, and now lives in Brooklyn\, New York. She has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\, where she is an adjunct professor. \nABOUT ROBERT GWALTNEY:\nRobert Gwaltney serves as Executive Director of the Pat Conroy Literary Center\, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a lifelong commitment to literature\, education\, and community engagement to the role. \nGwaltney is also an award-winning Southern fiction writer. His debut novel\, The Cicada Tree\, was named the 2023 Georgia Author of the Year for First Novel. His second novel\, Sing Down the Moon\, received the Somerset Award for Literary and Contemporary Fiction and the IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction—Southeast. His work has appeared in Southbound Magazine\, Southern Literary Review\, The Blue Mountain Review\, and The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature\, among other publications. \nA lifelong Southerner and graduate of Florida State University\, Gwaltney brings together his experiences as a nonprofit leader\, writer\, and advocate for literary arts in service to the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s continuing story.
URL:https://patconroyliterarycenter.org/calendar/author-event-adele-myers-in-conversation-with-robert-gwaltney/
LOCATION:601 Bladen Street\, Beaufort\, SC\, United States\, South Carolina 29902
CATEGORIES:Other
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