Edgar Allan Poe in South Carolina Presented by Patricia McNeely. Edgar Allan Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie in 1827 and 1828 under the assumed name of Edgar Perry. While there, Poe was gathering material for the first detective stories in the English language, including The Goldbug, which was set on Sullivan’s Island. He also … Read more
Contributions of Contemporary African American South Carolina Native Poets Presented by Len Lawson. South Carolina is home to several nationally acclaimed African American poets who have left the state to pursue their crafts and careers in stunning fashion. Three South Carolina native poets have gone on to win the National Book Award for Poetry in … Read more
Poetry: A Superpower for Our Time Presented by Ann-Chadwell Humphries. Poetry puts thoughts into words into actions and has a unique ability to be converted into wealth, wealth amassed as confidence, influence, and quality of life. Though timeless, poetry has a distinct cultural relevance in 2021; new voices spring from everywhere—those of various races, genders, … Read more
Why Not Me? The Story Behind Creating and Publishing An Eclipse and a Butcher Presented by Ann-Chadwell Humphries. Humphries wrote extensively during her career, but as her career progressed, so did retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disorder causing loss of peripheral vision. In 2012, she learned to write poetry in community classes, then graduate poetry classes … Read more
A Poet and the Gift of Blindness Presented by Ann-Chadwell Humphries. Humphries sees with more than her eyes; she perceives with her entire being—signature of a stride, voices as distinct as thumbprints, memory as toned and sleek as an elite athlete, blended with sense of humor and common sense. Ann’s sensory inventory infuses her poetry, … Read more
Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy Presented by Jonathan Haupt. “Writers of the world, if you’ve got a story, I want to hear it. I promise it will follow me to my last breath.”—Pat Conroy.Although beloved writer Pat Conroy (1945-2016) served as a classroom educator for little more than three years, he remained … Read more
Pat Conroy’s Great Love of Poetry Presented by Jonathan Haupt. “The poets of the world occupy a place of high honor in my city of books.”—Pat Conroy.Best known as a beloved novelist and memoirist, internationally acclaimed author Pat Conroy (1945-2016) began his writing life wanting to be a poet. Over time, Conroy transitioned successfully to … Read more
Word Clay: Word Play: Q and A Presented by Sterling (Skip) Eisiminger. What would you call several unicorns if you were so lucky to see them?What does “avantular” mean?And why will your children and grandchildren smile when you tell them what the potentater is?If you love word play, you’ll love the other 47 questions and … Read more
The Pleasures of Language: Malapropisms to Rhyming Slang Presented by Sterling (Skip) Eisiminger. This audience-participation program works best with a group that enjoys language, as they will be intimately involved and asked to volunteer further contributions to the lecturer’s list of Southern dialect, contemporary slang, folk etymologies, Spoonerisms, and more. Click here for the Speakers … Read more
PO Box 5287
Columbia SC 29250
2711 Middleburg Drive
Suite 203
Columbia SC 29204
803-771-2477
