Agnes Scott College Writers' Festival

02/22/2026

Check out the newest from 2024 WF Guest Beth Ann Fennelly! More micro-memoirs!

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with former Poet Laureate of Mississippi Beth Ann Fennelly about "The Irish Goodbye," a book of micro-memoirs about childhood, marriage and the death of her sister.

02/08/2026

As we move into Writers’ Festival season, here’s something new from WF 2012 guest Benjamin Percy to get you excited!

Multi-genre writer Benjamin Percy encourages us to defamiliarize our writing process and stay limber: “Here’s an exercise. Write your novel as a song. Here’s an exercise. If you could transform your short story into a painting, what would it look like?” at.pw.org/DareToDefamiliarize

08/15/2025

As we start to get back into the swing of things at Agnes Scott, here’s a beautiful piece from 2019 WF guest Dani Shapiro.

Surrounded by the work of Impressionists who dedicated themselves to capturing felt experience rather than reality, I sensed that I would be OK with my altered sight.

05/30/2025

Thinking of this wonderful, inspiring writer, and former Festival guest, who has gone to be with the ancestors.

Mr. Ngugi composed the first modern novel in the Gikuyu language on prison toilet paper while being held by Kenyan authorities. He spent many prolific years in exile.

02/28/2025

Hooray for Charleen McClure, 2016 Writers’ Festival guest!! Brava!

10/24/2024

Check out last night’s 100+ standing-room-only crowd to hear Lauren Gunderson! Gunderson, a Decatur native, won the Writers’ Festival contest in the one-act play category in 2002 and returned to take part in a round table conversation during the 50th Writers’ Festival celebration. She is teaching a one-week class as this year’s Kirk Writer-in-Residence at Agnes Scott. What a thrill to have her on campus!

Standing room only for last night’s event featuring Kirk Writer-in-Residence Lauren Gunderson! Thanks to all who came out!

08/29/2024

Very cool writing opportunity!

Check out this great opportunity to enjoy a one-day writers' retreat with Audacity Magazine, founded by Alum Jessica Wise '16! Saturday, September 7, Audacity hosts STAYCATION: The One-Day Writer's Retreat, with hands-on workshops led by renowned authors and writers with over 40 years of combined experience and over 200 combined publishing credits. Registration includes entry into three of four workshops (the fourth, a bonus virtual workshop, is available for an additional $10), a catered lunch, welcome cocktails/mocktails, and our coffee/tea/infused water station. It looks amazing! Agnes Scott Alumnae Association
https://www.audacitymagazine.org

08/16/2024

Check out ASC alum (and 2016 Writers' Festival Guest!) Charleen McClure '10 in this recent issue of Bitter Southerner! A thrill to read about this project!

In poetry and in life, anything is possible, including a most beautiful tale of friendship.

08/10/2024

Grab your swag!

We’re so in love with ’s beautiful illustration commemorating our 50th Birthday 😍Check out our new limited edition merch featuring their design – available online only!

Visit the link in our bio to view our new t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, hats, totes, and drinkware. Please note that these items are for pre-order only and not available in-store (yet). Items will be available for pick up at the store or will ship no later than September 15, 2024.

Shop merch: https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/50th-anniversary

08/10/2024

Are you an emerging poet with a debut poetry manuscript? The September 1 deadline for the 2025 Academy of American Poets First Book Award is quickly approaching! The winning poet receives $5,000, publication by Press, an all-expenses-paid 6-week residency with Civitella Ranieri Foundation, and book distribution to thousands of Academy of American Poets members. Alberto Ríos, former Chancellor and winner of the 1981 First Book Award, will judge.

Learn more and apply today: https://poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/first-book-award