The oldest continuous literary event in Georgia
Building on a long tradition of inviting distinguished writers to campus to read their works, teach, and talk with students, the Agnes Scott College Annual Writers' Festival began in the spring of 1972, with May Sarton as the headliner. A statewide writing contest for colleges and universities in poetry and fiction was the event's centerpiece: the finalists' works were published in the festival magazine and the visiting writers selected the prizewinners in each genre. Readings and workshops with the visiting writers rounded out the program, which was open to the public and the campus community.
Today, the festival maintains these founding traditions along with some new features: creative nonfiction and dramatic writing were added to the contest in the 1990s, an alumna writer is on the program almost every year, and one of the visiting writers gives a one-credit workshop for Agnes Scott College students. In 2021, the contest was named The Steven R. Guthrie Memorial Writers' Festival Contest, recognizing Professor Guthrie's 30 years of curating the event.
From Eudora Welty, Reynolds Price, Richard Wilbur, and Margaret Atwood to Rita Dove, Jane Smiley, Tim O'Brien, John Updike, Anita Desai, and Chris Abani, the festival has brought great writers to the college to inspire and challenge our students and our audiences.
Visit the festival blog for more information.