As he reflected on his past experiences during his beautiful keynote lecture, W. Ralph Eubanks put forth the question, "What really is home?"

To begin his breakout session, Dan Bernitt advised, "Don't structure and compose at the same time." #SLF2025

Remembering this afternoon’s poetry breakout session with Kim Whorton: All things have stories—poetry is just better at capturing the stories half forgotten.

One of many things we remember from today: How do you not kill a movie? Start with a cold open! How fast can you tell a story? An hour, 2, 3? ... how 'bout 5 minutes? Because if you take too long, your story dies.

Screenwriter Chris Dowling delivered an excellent keynote and reminded attendees that “if you get frustrated with writing, you can work and take a break with it—you don’t have to kill it!” #SLF2025

📚 Calling all colleges & universities! Join the Southern Literary Festival for 2025–26 and bring your students to a celebration of undergrad writing. 👉 No per-person registration fees 👉 Readings, craft sessions, open mics 👉 Contest entry included thesouthernliteraryfestival.org/become-a-membe…

New or returning schools: this year’s SLF dues are just $300 🎉 Membership gives your whole institution access to the festival, competition & more. Join the community: thesouthernliteraryfestival.org/become-a-membe…