Writers' Series

The English Department and its partners bring nationally and internationally acclaimed authors to the University of South Carolina through three ongoing programs: the Fall Literary Festival, The Open Book each spring, and the MFA-run Shark’s Parlor. Featuring public talks and readings, conversations, and book signings, these series connect contemporary writers with our students and the broader Columbia community. Lineups vary annually; see individual pages for current schedules.

Fall Literary Festival

Each fall, the English Department and the University Libraries, with the generous support of an anonymous donor, bring major authors to campus to read from their work and discuss the craft of writing. Recent authors include Kaveh Akbar, Louise Glück, Walter Mosley, Michael Ondaatje, Claudia Rankine, Robyn Schiff, and Jesmyn Ward.
The Open Book

Hosted each spring by Elise Blackwell and sponsored by the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, the Open Book is a literary series, a public course, and a community reading experience all in one. Recent authors include Vinson Cunningham, Jennifer Egan, Jonathan Franzen, Juan Felipe Herrera, Ian McEwan, Chang-Rae Lee, Emily St. John Mandel, and Colson Whitehead.
Shark’s Parlor

Visiting writers, MFA students, alumni, and faculty read from their work at All Good Books on the first Friday of each month, September through December and February through April.

Department of English Language and Literature

Writers' Series

Fall Literary Festival

The Open Book

Shark’s Parlor

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.