Our fourth annual literary lab will continue our focus on inspiring, encouraging, and empowering writers as we work to increase interest in reading and the literary arts.

Our featured author for 2025 is: Jill McCorkle

Jill McCorkle has the distinction of having published her first two novels on the same day in 1984. Of these novels, The New York Times Book Review said: “One suspects the author of The Cheer Leader is a born novelist. With July 7th, she is also a full grown one.” Since then she has published five other novels—most recently published is Hieroglyphics (2020, Algonquin Books)—and five collections of short stories (Old Crimes, 2024). Five of her books have been named New York Times notable books and four of her stories have appeared in Best American Short Stories. An essay, “Cuss Time,” originally published in The American Scholar, was selected for Best American Essays. McCorkle has received the New England Booksellers Award, the John Dos PassosPrize for Excellence in Literature, the North Carolina Award for Literature, and the Thomas Wolfe Prize; she was recently inducted into the NC Literary Hall of Fame. McCorkle has taught at Harvard, Brandeis University, NC State University, and the Bennington Writing Seminars.

Check back often as we add to our 2025 lineup.

Friday, September 26 – $25

3:30-5 p.m. – Photography Workshop 

5:30-7 p.m. – Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award & Reception

Saturday, September 27 – $75

9 a.m. – Registration

9:15 a.m. – Welcome

9:30-10:30 a.m. – Choose between two workshops

10:45-11:45 a.m. – Choose between two workshops

12-1:30 p.m. – Lunch and writing awards with keynote by Jill McCorkle

1:30-2:30 p.m. – Museum tours

2:30-3:30 p.m. – Choose between two workshops

3:45-4:45 p.m. – Choose between two workshops

5-6:30 p.m. – Closing comments with open mic invitation followed by Wine & Words, meet-our-authors reception

The Hampton Inn in Lenoir, NC, is our recommended hotel for the event. Call 828-758-7664 to book your room.

Refund Policy: You may apply for a refund of your full registration less a $10 processing fee 60 or more days in advance of the event (by July 30, 2024). Refunds of 50% are available 30-59 days out (July 31-August 28). No refunds are available with less than 30 days’ notice but the registration is transferrable to another attendee.