No Direction Home: Literary Seminar

January 19, 2009

Marilynne Robinson

Elizabeth Gaffney & John Burnham Schwartz

Anchee Min

Literary Seminar –Take 2

William Kennedy & Russell Banks

The second weekend session of the Key West Literary Seminar was very different from the first, especially for me as I switched from working behind the scenes as a volunteer to becoming an attendee along with Kathy. Seeing the activities from the perspective that I have come to know over the past 15 years of attendance.

Arlo & Samantha Hunt

Madison Smartt Bell

Russell Banks

This week featured an impressive array of writers including Barry Unsworth, John Burnham Schwartz, Calvin Baker, David Nasaw, William Kennedy, Andrea Barrett, Elizabeth Gaffney, Samantha Hunt, Alan Cheuse, Marilynne Robinson, Thomas Mallon, Madison Smart Bell, Valerie Martin, Francisco Goldman, Russell Banks, Joyce Carol Oates, Chantal Acevedo, Rachel Kushner & Anchee Min.

Joyce Carol Oates

The sessions seemed to me to be more interesting and somewhat better than those from the first session. The discussions were more lively and the participants more engaged than the first session. Of course there was still the full complement of parties, dinners and receptions to enjoy.

Barry Unsworth & Rachel Kushner

Ashley, Kathy & Arlo

Lyn Kaufelt

There was also a better vibe in the crowd as many in the crowd were writers themselves who had been participating in the midweek workshops between sessions. The mix just created a better atmosphere that seemed to infect the panelists. In fact the panelist even seemed to enjoy more local friendly pastimes than usual as many of them ventured out to enjoy the Key West night life. We hung out with a large group of writers at the Green Parrot where they enjoyed the musical styling’s of the Spam Allstars.