The biennial AEC Conference on Southern Literature is a writers conference for readers. Held every two years in the spring in Chattanooga, Tennessee in conjunction with the meeting of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, the Conference on Southern Literature is a celebration of southern literature in all of its forms. The 2007 Conference was held March 29, 30 and 31. The 2007 theme was The Southern Writer: Exploring the Life Within.
The Fellowship of Southern Writers is made up of some of our most celebrated southern writers (including: Eudora Welty, Robert Penn Warren, Mary Lee Settle, Walker Percy, Elizabeth Spencer and many others). It was established in 1987 with 26 charter members. “The Fellowship seeks to recognize and encourage literature in the South by commemorating outstanding literary achievement with awards and prizes, by encouraging young writers and by recognizing distinction in writing by election to membership in the Fellowship of Southern Writers.” The Fellowship's archives are located in the Lupton Library at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The Fellowship currently awards nine prizes at the Conference on Southern Literature:
The Hillsdale Prize for Fiction
The Hanes Prize for Poetry
The Robert Penn Warren Award for Fiction
The Bryan Family Foundation Award for Drama
The Cecil Woods, Jr. Prize for Non-Fiction
The Fellowship's New Writing Award for Fiction
The James Still Award for Writing About the Appalachian South
The Fellowship's New Award for Poetry
The Cleanth Brooks Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Southern Letters
Although the conference generally starts off on Thursday and runs through Saturday evening, there are many events that lead up to the conference, particularly in conjunction with the local schools.
You can purchase one-day tickets or whole conference tickets either in advance or at the door. There is usually a discount for early-bird registration. There are also discounted student tickets available. For 2007 one-day tickets could be purchased for Thursday or Friday of the Conference for $55. The Saturday one-day ticket was $65 and includes the conference luncheon.
Almost all events are held at the historic Tivoli Theatre located on Broad Street in downtown Chattanooga. The Tivoli Theatre is a beautiful restored movie theatre. Shuttles are provided for attendees to events that are not within walking distance. The CARTA electric shuttle makes a convenient way to travel around downtown.
Conference events include the Livingood Address (a history lecture), an induction of new members into the Fellowship of Southern Writers, readings (of poetry, fiction and drama), drama performances and keynote addresses.
In addition, book signings are available throughout the conference. It has been my experience that not only are the invited writers interesting and approachable, but they are fans of the conference and active participants and attendees.
If you love literature, love to read or just love the South, the AEC Conference on Southern Literature is a wonderful opportunity to be inspired. To receive information about future conference, you can join the email list at: http://www.artsedcouncil.org
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