Emerging Writers Festival

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Old Town Books

Emerging Writers Festival

The inaugural Emerging Writers Festival will debut the weekend of August 16 through August 18 in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The 3-day long festival will celebrate, educate, and inspire emerging writers through free and low-cost literacy arts programming.

The festival plans to connect readers to new writers and give emerging writers new opportunities and skills. Individuals can kick start their writing practice, learn about pitching editors and agents, take craft classes, or meet their next favorite author! Several notable authors will be giving free readings during the festival, such New York-based author Catherine Chung (The Tenth Muse, Harper Collins), award-winning debut novelist Tope Folarin (A Particular Kind of Black Man, Simon & Schuster), and 2019 Food & Wine Best New Chef Kwame Onwuachi (Notes from a Young Black Chef, Penguin Random House).

The festival will include more than a dozen free and low-cost writing classes with professional writers, editors, and book industry experts. Tuition scholarships are available to writers in need of financial support. There will also be a book fair featuring vendors selling hand-bound books, small/independent press books, and representatives from local literary arts organizations as well as national organizations like PEN America and the Smithsonian Libraries.

The festival is directed by independent bookstore owner Ally Kirkpatrick of Old Town Books. The general interest-based bookstore features new literary fiction and non-fiction, with a focus on new releases and up-and-coming authors. Kirkpatrick launched the store in November 2018. Old Town Books has since become a visitor favorite for its book clubs, writing classes, and literary events. A native Alexandrian, Kirkpatrick’s passion for books and supporting emerging writers runs deep as she is a writer herself.

“Alexandria was overdue for a literary arts festival - we’re a city of readers and writers! I hope this festival helps demystify the traditional publishing process for current writers and inspires folks who don’t consider themselves writers yet to give it a try. We all have a story to tell.”

Festival events and activities will take place at the Athenaeum (201 Prince Street), ALX Community (106 North Lee Street) and the Carlyle House (121 North Fairfax Street). For a detailed listing of author readings, panels and class schedule, visit www.emergingwritersfestival.com.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Emerging Writers Festival

When: Friday, August 16th through Sunday, August 18th

Where: Old Town Books (104 S. Union Street, Alexandria, VA)

Time: Check website for schedule

Website: https://www.emergingwritersfestival.com/tickets

Cost: Free readings, business of publishing panels, and book fair. Low-cost writing classes. Tuition scholarships are available. Check the website for the cost of events.

Weather Plan: Rain or shine

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16

6:30 PM

Opening Night Kick-Off with Catherine Chung, author of The Tenth Muse

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Writing the Personal Essay, with journalist Hannah Bae

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Fiction Craft Intensive, with novelist Catherine Chung

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Breaking into Food Writing, with cookbook author Cathy Barrow

12:00- 1:00 PM

Against the Algorithm: Online book communities as resources for emerging writers, with book media experts

1:00-6:00 PM

Book Fair - free and open to the public, featuring book artists, independent publishers, libraries (Alexandria Public Library, The Smithsonian Libraries) and literary arts nonprofits such as PEN American, MoonLit DC, and more. Full vendor list on website.

1:30 - 3:00pm

Pitch Intensive, with writer and editor Jennifer Baker

3:30-6:30 PM

Publishing Masterclass, with publishing expert Jane Friedman

3:30 - 4:30 PM

Telling It Slant: Queer(ing) Poetic Form, with poet Malik K. Thompson

3:30 - 4:30 PM

Poetry in Motion: A yoga + poetry class for every-body, with Vikrya Lab

4:00 - 5:30 PM

Essay Writing Workshop: After the Art, with essayist Randon Noble

7:00 - 8:00 PM

Reading + Signing: Tope Folarin, author of A Particular Kind of Black Man

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

10:00 - 11:00 AM

Working with an Editor, with professional book editors

11:30 - 12:30 PM

Apply Yourself! How to write successful applications for grants and fellowships, with non-profit arts experts

2:30 - 3:30 PM

Social Media for Writers, with podcast producer Kendra Winchester

4:00 - 5:30 PM

The Path to the Debut Novel, with novelist Angie Kim

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Reading + Signing: Kwame Onwuachi, Notes from a Young Black Chef