Charleston, September 19, 2025

News Summary

The Charleston Literary Festival is set to kickoff with a community-oriented silent reading party on September 23 at Marion Square. Organized in collaboration with Reading Rhythms, this free event encourages participants to enjoy quiet reading while fostering social connections. Attendees can bring their own books and picnic gear, enjoying a serene evening capped off with discussions. The festival will feature over 70 authors and events from November 7 to 16, emphasizing in-person interactions in a digital age.

Charleston

The Charleston Literary Festival will kick off its 2025 season with a community-wide silent reading party on September 23 at Marion Square in downtown Charleston. This engaging event, organized in partnership with Reading Rhythms, aims to promote quiet reading and foster social connections among attendees.

The silent reading party, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled to run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Space is limited, so attendees are required to RSVP through Eventbrite. Participants are encouraged to bring their own books, picnic blankets, or lawn chairs, along with friends. The evening will commence with a period of quiet reading, followed by small group conversations to enhance interaction among participants.

Reading Rhythms, a global organization promoting social reading experiences, has chapters in various cities, including Toronto and New York. In an exciting addition, attendees of the silent reading party will have a chance to enter a giveaway to meet Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and bestselling thriller author Harlan Coben, adding a star-studded element to the event.

Details on the 2025 Festival

This silent reading party marks the beginning of the Charleston Literary Festival’s 2025 season, which will run from November 7 to 16. Most of the festival’s events are set to take place at the historic Dock Street Theatre, renowned for its cultural significance in Charleston. The festival will feature more than 70 authors and thinkers, offering over 50 separate events designed to inspire and engage the community.

Some of the notable authors scheduled to appear include Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Kevin Sack, columnist and author Max Boot, and celebrated novelist Joyce Carol Oates. Additionally, attendees can look forward to appearances by CNN anchor and journalist Jake Tapper, environmentalist Bill McKibben, and Glory Edim, the founder of Well-Read Black Girl. The event will also showcase Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham among many others.

Pre-Festival Events

In the lead-up to the main festival events, pre-festival activities will feature notable figures such as Hoda Kotb engaging in discussions and activities that underline the festival’s commitment to community interaction and the exchange of ideas.

Ticket Information

Individual tickets for the festival’s events will go on sale starting September 4. Most tickets will be priced around $30 each, making it accessible for a broad audience. There is also a VIP Weekend Experience available for $750, which grants access to all events and exclusive parties throughout the festival.

According to the festival’s executive director, the emphasis is placed on the importance of face-to-face connections in today’s digital society. This commitment to fostering community bonds and encouraging discussion will be evident in the various programming offered at the festival, which includes book discussions, film screenings, and theatrical performances.

Conclusion

As the Charleston Literary Festival looks forward to another exciting year, the kickoff event promises to provide a unique community experience that celebrates literature and engages residents and visitors alike.

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Additional Resources

• Charleston City Paper
• Post and Courier
• Charleston Business
• Broadway World
• Bravo TV
• Wikipedia: Charleston, South Carolina
• Google Search: Charleston Literary Festival
• Google Scholar: Charleston Literary Festival
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Charleston, South Carolina
• Google News: Charleston Literary Festival

Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON

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