DMC hosting first day of People’s Literary Festival, kicking-off three-day event with keynote by acclaimed Holy City author Henry Wise on March 6
Article by Melinda Eddleman For anyone who loves writing, reading or both, the People’s Literary Festival offers something for everyone during this free collaborative celebration that supports both new and seasoned writers by bridging literary borders and genres. Marking its 10th year, the three-day festival is scheduled next Thursday through Saturday, March 6-8, at different venues across Corpus Christi and will bring together writers and readers for dialogue that honors self-expression and creativity. Six locations will offer a variety of sessions, activities and book fairs, including previous hosts Del Mar College, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and All Saints’ Episcopal Church, along with three new venues: the Downtown Corpus Christi Management District’s First Friday Artwalk, House of Rock and Jazz Room Corpus Christi. Along with the additional venues, Leza noted that by increasing the number of authors, publishers and booksellers traveling to Corpus Christi from acoss Texas and other locations to participate during the festival, organizers have much more to offer this year. To kick-off the festival, Del Mar College will host the first day of sessions next Thursday, March 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the newly renovated William F. White, Jr. Library on the Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404), get online directions and campus map. Activities are open to both the campus community and the public. Dr. Andrea Elizondo, an Assistant Instructor and Reading and ESOL Lab Coordinator with the college’s Department of Communications, Languages and Reading, said, “Words ignite worlds. At this festival, we celebrate the power of stories, the voices of authors and the dreams of future writers.” Elizondo added that Del Mar College values the collaboration shared between the festival's founders and successive organizers during the past several years. “Not only has our campus community benefitted from the festival but also the general community, and we’re delighted to host another opening day to celebrate the literary world and all that it offers.” • 11 a.m.: Welcome Remarks • 11:15 a.m.: Session 1: Kick-off Keynote with acclaimed Holy City author Henry Wise for a debut novelist reading and discussion. Holy City (Grove Atlantic, 2024) examines the intersections of labor, racial justice and environmental concerns in rural America’s forgotten communities. A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and the University of Mississippi’s Master of Fine Arts program, Wise is a writer across multiple genres. His poetry has been published in Shenandoah, Radar Poetry, Clackamas, Nixes Mate Revie, and elsewhere. His nonfiction and photography have appeared in Southern Cultures. Holy City is his first novel. Wise’s visit to Corpus Christi is sponsored by Del Mar College’s Cultural Programs Committee. • 12:15 p.m.: Networking Lunch sponsored by H-E-B • 12:45 p.m.: Session 2 (two concurrent presentations): a) How to Get Published: Cultural & Community Leadership - panel presentation covering editing magazines, journals and books b) Professional Development Workshop – covering research and resources for writing • 1:30 p.m.: Del Mar College Heritage Campus Tour • 2 p.m.: Session 3 (two concurrent presentations): a) How to Get Published: Self-Publishing - The Lived Human Experience in Self-Publishing b) Free speech on campus: Why is it important? - The First Amendment and (Texas) College Campuses Remaining Day 1 programming moves to All Saints’ Episcopal Church (3026 Staples St., 78404) with activities beginning at 7 p.m. with a Corpus Christi Poet Laureate Panel followed by an induction ceremony, Poet Laureate Reading, a 10th Anniversary Commemoration led by co-founders Tom Murphy and retired DMC Librarian and Professor Alan Berecka and presentation of the Robb and Vanesa Jackson Award for High School Poets. The festival moves to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s University Center (6300 Ocean Dr., 78412) on Friday, March 7, with sponsorship of event participation during the First Friday Artwalk in Downtown Corpus Christi by Alamo Drafthouse and readings and other activities at the House of Rock (511 Starr St., 78401). On Saturday, March 8, the festival concludes at All Saints’ Episcopal Church with a book fair and sessions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a live jazz fundraiser at Jazz Room Corpus Christi (1314 Ayers St., 78404) from 7 to 9 p.m. Visit the People’s Literary Festival website for more information about all scheduling, session descriptions, other planned activities and book fairs at several venues at peoplesliteraryfestival.com/. T Questions? For information about Day 1 festival activities at Del Mar College, contact Dr. Andrea Elizondo with the Department of Communications, Languages and Reading at 361-698-1952 or aelezondo43@delmar.edu or People’s Literary Festival Chair J.D. Leza at 206-817-8452 or chair@peoplesliteraryfestival.com.
