The College of Charleston is proud to once again be the official academic partner of the Charleston Literary Festival. The festival, which runs Nov. 3–12, 2023, will feature a host of world-class writers and thinkers exploring today’s most pressing issues and ideas.

This is the third consecutive year the College has been named the academic partner of the festival. 

“The Charleston Literary Festival brings such an impressive array of authors to Charleston each year, a number of whom have won or been finalists for the Pulitzer, the National Book Award, the Booker, and other major literary prizes,” says Ann Looper Pryor ’83, vice president of Alumni Affairs. “For our students, faculty, staff and alumni to have in-person access to these speakers is invaluable. In addition, the festival hires our students as staff and interns, providing in-depth experiential learning opportunities.”

As the academic partner, the College of Charleston and its Alumni Association will provide financial, promotional and logistical support to the festival. 

“Encouraging people to embrace conversations is at the heart of what we do at Charleston Literary Festival, and the response from Charleston, our regional neighbors, and from major cities in the U.S. and abroad has been overwhelming,” said Sarah Moriarty, the Charleston Literary Festival’s executive director. “We are taking it up a few notches this year, with even more sessions featuring over 30 world-class authors. We expect it to be our most exciting and ambitious year yet,” 

Running at various historic venues with stories of their own, the festival features a blend of today’s leading contemporary writers alongside emerging writers, including authors Claire Keegan, Richard Ford, Rebecca Makkai, Margaret Atwood (virtual), Jonathan Eig and more.

Current College of Charleston students, faculty and staff received an email from Provost Suzanne Austin on Sept. 7, 2023, with a promo code for 85% off of individual festival sessions. Those interested in volunteering for one or more festival session may register via SignUpGenius.