12 South Carolina Writing Resources
Posted by David Duhr in 
As 2015 opens, our State Writing Resources series rolls on. And speaking of rolling–like, cigarettes and stuff–up next is South Carolina, the Palmetto State. Which, as I see now, is only sixth in the U.S. in tobacco production. North Carolina is first, and we’ve already covered it. I got my Carolinae confused! But it’s far, far too late to rewrite this lame intro now.
South Carolina writing can brag of some heavy-hitting authors, including Dorothy Allison, Pat Conroy (The Prince of Tides), William Gibson, Valerie Sayers, and Norb Vonnegut (a fourth cousin of that other Vonnegut). Many of you are likely also familiar with the name Matthew J. Bruccoli, which, because he wrote an intro, is now on that omnipresent Great Gatsby cover.
Presented in no particular order, here are 12 South Carolina writing resources, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you are a Palmetto Stater or are planning to become one, these are some organizations you might want to take a peek at.
1) South Carolina Book Festival
A three-day festival of panels, readings and signings that brings in over 6,000 visitors annually.
A nationally-recognized poetry slam whose team has won several U.S. titles.
3) Emrys
A Writing Room, journal and press, which offers seminars and workshops for writers of all kinds.
A two-week arts festival in Charleston which offers literary aspects like poetry readings.
5) Book Your Lunch
A luncheon series in Greenville where the visiting writer reads from his/her work and answers questions.
Has published more than 400 writers in 60 books, renovated two historic downtown Spartanburg buildings, and given away more than $15,000 in scholarships to emerging writers. Provides creative writing instruction to hundreds in the Carolinas and beyond, and hosts lively book launch events.
7) Lowcountry Initiative for the Literary Arts
Dedicated to developing programs that enrich the area’s literary communities by connecting, educating and promoting writers and readers at every stage of development, from the novice to the professional.
8) Poetry Society of South Carolina
The oldest organization of its kind in America, they hold free readings and lectures, and offer seminars, workshops, writers’ groups and prizes that include cash awards and publication.
9) Crazyhorse
For over fifty years, this magazine has published some of the best new fiction, poetry and nonfiction. They also hold an annual writers conference.
For nearly fifty years, SCR has published fiction, poetry, interviews, unpublished letters and manuscripts, essays and reviews from well-known and aspiring scholars and writers.
11) South Carolina Writers Association
A literary arts organization serving both new and established writers. Membership offers a supportive environment in which to become a better writer.
A nonprofit that offers workshops, critique groups and membership.
Help us add to this list, Palmetto Staters! Do you run a local writing group or a lit journal we should be aware of? Feel free to share info and links in the comments section below.
I would add the PubSense Summit that takes place in Charleston. SlamCharlotte takes place in North Carolina, though. I lived there for two years and wish I would have went when I had the chance.