Saturday, January 27, 2024

Hancock Performing Arts Center (PAC)

HOMEGROWN: A WRITERS’ EXCHANGE

REGISTER TO ATTEND

Hancock County Library System and Harrison County Library System have partnered to present a full day conference focused on writers, aspiring writers, and authors, and their books.

  • The State of Mississippi has a rich history of writers who have made significant contributions to the Literary world. In November 2019, the Hancock County Library System in partnership with The Arts, Hancock County, presented the first iteration of HOMEGROWN: A LITERARY & ARTS EXCHANGE. Noted author and Delisle, MS native, Jesmyn Ward honored the event with a closing address.

  • We hope to grow our partnerships with libraries across the Gulf Coast to produce an annual, regional literary conference to nurture the aspiring and emerging writers and engage Gulf Coast residents with the literary arts.

  • The Hancock Performing Arts Center (PAC) is on the campus of Hancock High School at 7140 Stennis Airport Road in Kiln, Mississippi. The facility offers a 7000 square foot theatre with 840 seats and adjacent classrooms and spaces for breakout panels and workshops.

  • John Brdecka, Executive Director, Hancock County Library System

    Sarah Crisler-Ruskey, Executive Director, Harrison County Library System

    Scott Naugle, Owner of Pass Christian Books

    Catherine Tibbs, Manager of Hancock Performing Arts Center

    Robin Dedeaux & Vickie Feazelle, Hancock County School District

    Johnnie Bernhard, author

    Wendy Allard, Harrison County Library System

    Nel Ducomb, Hancock County Library System

    Leah Holmes, Hancock County Library System

    Kevin Cole, PR/Marketing, Hancock County Library System

Author Panels & Sessions

Sessions for Young Adults

Writer Pitch Sessions

EXCLUSIVE:

Acclaimed Mississippi Author Michael Farris Smith IN CONVERSATION with MPB host, Marshall Ramsey

Editor-at-large for Mississippi Today, and host of MPB, Think Radio’s “Mississippi Stories,” Marshall Ramsey interviews author Michael Farris Smith about his latest book, Salvage This World and delves behind the writer’s process & inspiration. Plus, hear what it takes to turn a book into a Hollywood film!

HOMEGROWN is pleased to feature Michael Farris Smith & Marshall Ramsey in this exclusive live on-stage event.

Michael (l) with Marshall (r), IN CONVERSATION, Hancock PAC - January 27, 2024

Scheduled Authors

  • Stalking Shakespeare, Lee Durkee
  • Where the Angels Lived: One Family's Story of Exile, Loss, and Return, A Memoir by Margaret McMullan
  • Hannah and Ariela: A Novel, Johnnie Bernhard
  • Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way: A Novel, Jeffrey Blount
  • Brown Pelican, Rien Fertel
  • They Called Us River Rats: The Last Batture Settlement of New Orleans, Macon Fry
  • Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane, Dan Gutstein
  • Second Nature: Scenes From A World Remade, Nathaniel Rich
  • Fine Feathered Friends: Birds of the Great Gulf Coast, Written by Perry Guy, Illustrated by Tami Curtis
  • What is Love: Do Androids Dream of True Romance?, Jason Stuart
  • Smith, Michael Farris - Salvage This World
  • Smith, Katy Simpson - The Weeds: A Novel
  • Hubbard, Ladee - The Last Suspicious Holdout (Stories)
  • Brina, Elizabeth Miki - Speak, Okinawa: A Memoir
  • All This Could be Yours, Jami Attenberg
  • How to Drown a Boy, J. Bruce Fuller
  • Three Letters, Bill Lavender
  • Biloxi, Mary Miller
  • Thinning Blood, Leah Myers
  • Drawing the Line, Marshall Ramsey

Supporting Organizations & Partners

HOMEGROWN is made possible through generous funding by

The Library Foundation of Hancock County.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

If you would like to support HOMEGROWN through a donation or become a sponsoring partner, please contact us at info@hancock.lib.ms.us

All press inquiries may be directed to Kevin Cole, PR/Marketing at kcole@hancock.lib.ms.us or t. 228. 467.6836