Photo credit: Greensboro Bound
Award-winning writers from across the country will return to Greensboro this month for the annual Greensboro Bound Literary Festival on May 18-20.
Whether you are a writer, an aspiring writer, or just a lover of great writing of all kinds, you are sure to find a Greensboro Bound event that will inspire and delight you.
This will be the second year the festival has returned to in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic. Every May, the festival brings an array of talks and workshops with renowned authors, poets, screenwriters and more – including events sponsored by UNC Greensboro and featuring faculty, alumni, and students.
FROM COLD MOUNTAIN TO THE GATE CITY
University Libraries is bringing National Book Award winner and North Carolina native Charles Frazier to Greensboro on May 19 to celebrate his career and latest work “The Trackers.” Frazier’s first novel “Cold Mountain” was an international bestseller, winning multiple accolades. In 2003, it was adapted into an Academy-Award winning film starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger.
Frazier’s love of his home state shines through his popular novels. Register for this event early to hear how he adapts the beautiful scenery and stories of North Carolina into great works of literature.
PEN TO SCREEN
All forms of media begin with writing – even video games! On May 20, UNCG Esports will explore how to write storylines and action for video games. Earlier this year, HBO’s hit show “The Last of Us” shined a light on video game storytelling. The apocalyptic drama was adapted from a video game applauded for its storytelling which made its transition to an HBO drama a big success.
The “Writing for Esports” panel will feature esports journalists, authors, experts, and game writers to discuss the esports industry. Video game consultant and UNCG alumnus Tal Blevins ’95 will host the panel discussion.
Incidentally, Blevins, who owns Greensboro’s James Beard award nominated restaurant MACHETE, will also host “Rural Baking with the Red Truck Bakery,” which will appeal to food writers.
YOUR BRAIN ON POETRY
“This is Your Brain on Poetry” on May 20 will bring together poets Janine Joseph, Crystal Simone Smith, and Maureen Sherbondy to discuss their influences and interests while sampling their latest works.
Terry Kennedy, director of UNCG’s master of fine arts writing program, will host the discussion, which will inspire poetry lovers and aspiring poets.
FOR THE LOVE OF BANJO
Photo credit: Greensboro Bound
Author and historian Kristin Gaddy plans to look at the history of the banjo in “For the Love of Banjo” on May 20. Gaddy and banjoist Demeanor will discuss banjo music and how it relates to race and the appropriation of Black music throughout American history.
Justin “Demeanor” Harrington is a Greensboro-based rapper and musician and the nephew of Grammy-award winner Rhiannon Giddens, a UNCG alumna and recent Pulitzer Prize winner. Giddens also wrote the forward to Gaddy’s book “Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History.”
WRITING FOR CHANGE
“The Will to Change: A bell hooks Panel,” will explore the influence of bell hooks after her death in 2002, specifically the call for change she makes to men as they examine masculinity and love in their lives. The discussion includes Brandon Wrencher, a minister, community organizer and author; Rev. Dr. Leonard Curry, a public speaker, teacher, and writer; along with D Noble, an adjunct professor in the African American & Diaspora Studies department at UNCG.
KEEPING PACE WITH YOUNG ADULTS
UNCG library and information science graduate student Becky Quigley will host “Not What I Bargained For: Adversity and Joy in YA Storytelling.” This discussion includes author and UNCG alumna Sara Fujimara, along with Nita Tyndall, and Echo Brown. Aspiring Young Adult novelists and readers of the genre will explore the high stakes and quick pacing of young adult novels.
OTHER EVENTS FEATURING UNCG FACULTY AND ALUMNI
Abide & imbibe: An Evening with The Dude (Sold Out)
Hosted by alumna Jessica Beamon ’04
The Renegade Legacy of Bleecker and MacDougal
Hosted by alumna Michelle Everette
Belonging in a New America
Hosted by Derek Palacio, UNCG faculty
Suspended Disbelief: The Lure of Magical Realism
Co-hosted by alumni Drew Perry, MFA ’99 and Tita Ramirez, MFA ’00
Finding Fun and Taking Risks
Hosted by alumna Marianne Gingher, MFA ’74
The Dream is Unreal: Novels on Changes and Last Chances
Hosted by alum James Tate Hill, MFA ’03
All’s Well That Ends Well: North Carolina Literature at Its Apex
Hosted by alumna Molly Sentell Haile
The Greensboro Bound Literary Festival is free and open to the public. Some events do require registration.
EXPLORE GREENSBORO BOUND
Story by Avery Craine Powell, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
