Schedule
All festival events are open to the public. Most are free but a few require reservations and/or tickets due to limited seating. There is a nominal charge for the Literary Trails Luncheon and the Author Smorgasbord Luncheon. Please call 336.846.2787 for tickets, reservations, and details. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to all events in order to be seated prior to the beginning of the programs, and thank you, in advance, for remembering to turn off your cell phones during all festival events.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Festival Read Wrap-up Session Dr. Antonio Bly leads a lively discussion of this year’s Festival Read, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. 3 pm at Ashe County Public Library
10th Anniversary Page Turners Kick-off Reception 2017 Page Turner Members will enjoy refreshments and live music to celebrate 10 years of good reading and writing in the High Country. Reservations required. 6:30 pm at Ashe Arts Center
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
“Work in Progress” Workshop with Georgann Eubanks This session is for writers of any genre who want a critique of 2 to 3 pages of their work. Participants will learn how to give and receive helpful criticism and will have the opportunity to read their work and get feedback. Registration is limited, and a reservation is required. 8:30 – 10:30 am at Ashe County Public Library
Robert Inman Author of The Governor’s Lady, Inman’s presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashe County Public Library. 11 am at Ashe County Public Library
Author Smorgasbord! Enjoy informal discussions with authors at a round-robin luncheon. Sign up to chat with authors Eubanks, Gautreaux, Inman, McCorkle, and Kelsey Moore. Nominal fee; reservation required. 12:30 pm at West Jefferson United Methodist Church’s Hensley Hall
“Short Story Beginnings” Workshop with Tim Gautreaux Join master storyteller Tim Gautreaux in a free-for-all workshop focused on where stories come from, how to develop them from a single opening sentence, and how listening to music while writing can affect your narrative. Registration is limited, and a reservation is required. 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Ashe Arts Center
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Jill McCorkle The author shares stories about her career writing novels, short stories, essays, and the rollicking play, “Good Ol’ Girls.” McCorkle will also read from her poignant latest novel, Life After Life. 10 am at Ashe County Public Library
Joseph Bathanti North Carolina’s 2012 Poet Laureate and award-winning author of novels, non-fiction, and poetry is the professor any student of good writing would love to have. Join Joseph for readings and commentary. 1 pm at Ashe County Public Library
Tim Gautreaux The author shares stories from the bayous of his native Louisiana and from his new collection of short stories, Signals. 3 pm at Ashe County Public Library
Edward Kelsey Moore The author reads from The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues, his new novel that follows his much-loved debut that was featured as 2015’s OTSP Festival Read. 7:30 pm at Ashe Arts Center
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
D.G. Martin Join the host of UNC TV’s “North Carolina Bookwatch” and author of the brand-new North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries. D.G. takes us to restaurants across the state where good food is a source of community pride. 10 am at Ashe County Public Library
Literary Trails Luncheon Georgann Eubanks gives us a preview of her upcoming book, The Month of Their Ripening: North Carolina Heritage Foods. Boxed lunches, nominal charge, reservation required. 12 pm at Ashe County Public Library
Mark de Castrique Join the author of thrillers set in Asheville and in Washington, DC. De Castrique is also an Emmy Award winner for his documentary film work. 2 pm at Ashe County Public Library
Telling Stories Live with Philip Gerard Enjoy an evening of good music and good storytelling. Philip will share stories from his novels along with songs and instrumental favorites as accompaniment. The winning entry of the 2017 Page Crafters Award will be read. 7:30 pm at Ashe Arts Center
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
“Finding Your Audience: Best Practices for Submitting Your Work to Editors” Workshop with Jill and Philip Gerard Learn how to choose which work to send out, where to send it, and what the protocol is. The Gerards offer an editor’s eye view and explain how publishing decisions are made. Registration is limited, and a reservation is required. 8:30 am at Ashe County Public Library
John Hart With five novels to his name, John talks about life as a reliably best-selling author following careers as a stockbroker and a criminal defense lawyer. Join John for this closing event of the 2017 OTSP Festival. 10:30 am at Ashe County Public Library
