June 12, 2025

Charleston Literary Festival Announces Author Lineup

News Summary

The Charleston Literary Festival reveals its first 17 authors for an upcoming ten-day event beginning November 7, 2025, at Dock Street Theatre. The lineup features celebrated voices in fiction and nonfiction including Pulitzer-Prize winner Kevin Sack and novelist Joyce Carol Oates. The festival emphasizes diverse literary discussions and community engagement, promoting critical global issues. The full author lineup will be announced in September 2025, accompanied by a $7,500 cash prize for emerging writers.

Charleston, South Carolina – The Charleston Literary Festival has officially unveiled its first slate of authors for the 2025 event, with the festival set to take place over ten days starting November 7, 2025, at the Dock Street Theatre. This year, the festival is set to feature an exciting lineup of 17 authors, a number that is expected to grow to over 40 as more names are confirmed for the event.

Sarah Moriarty, the executive director of the Charleston Literary Festival, highlighted that the initial lineup represents a diverse range of literary voices, encompassing both fiction and nonfiction genres. Among the notable authors scheduled to attend are Kevin Sack, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporter, who recently released a book focusing on the Black church and the tragic events surrounding the Emanuel A.M.E. Church. Additionally, Max Boot, a prominent columnist for the Washington Post, will discuss his biography of former President Ronald Reagan. Celebrated novelist Joyce Carol Oates is also confirmed to participate in this year’s festival.

The Charleston Literary Festival has undergone significant growth since its start in 2017, shaping its programming to adapt to changing themes and formats. The previous year’s festival drew attention due to its focus on political discourse due to the presidential election, offering events designed around voting-related topics.

One of the festival’s core objectives is to create a platform that promotes the free exchange of ideas and encourages vibrant conversations among festival attendees. This year’s edition will see Bill McKibben discussing the importance of solar power and its connection to pressing environmental challenges. Other literary highlights include new fiction titles such as “Flesh” by David Szalay and “Audition” by Katie Kitamura, which illustrate the festival’s commitment to showcasing a variety of genres, including politics, science, history, memoir, and arts and culture.

Festival conversations aim to engage participants on recent book releases and address critical global issues, providing attendees the opportunity for in-person dialogue, marking a shift away from exclusively online interactions. This personal engagement fosters community building and facilitates understanding among diverse audiences.

The complete lineup of authors will be announced in September 2025, with tickets for the festival going on sale starting September 4. As a special initiative to support emerging writers, the festival will also offer a $7,500 cash prize for up-and-coming authors, which includes a residency in Charleston during the festival’s run.

For those interested in learning more about the festival, additional information can be found on their official website at charlestonliteraryfestival.com.

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