No Direction Home: “It is hateful to me to tell a story over again, when it has been well told.” ― Homer, The Odyssey

January 11, 2019

Margaret Atwood

Meg Cabot

“It is hateful to me to tell a story over again, when it has been well told.”
― Homer, The Odyssey

This year marks the 37^th annual Key West Literary Seminar. I have been either attending or actively involved for 23 of the years since my first experience back in 1995 when I attended “American Writers and the Natural World”. From that initial magical experience, I have returned again and again, until the time ten years ago when after been hanging around long enough, I was asked to join the board of directors and become the volunteer coordinator for the event.

The A Team volunteers

Shayne, Ian and Margit

Katie

This year’s seminar was sort of special to me in that it marked my tenth year being on the board, currently serving as vice-president and still volunteer coordinator as well as serving on the program committee that helped select the writers who were invited this year. The theme for this year’s seminar was “Under the Influence: Archetype and Adaptation”.

Naomi Novak

The Seminar is a ton of work, thankfully we have a wonderful staff and some of the best volunteers you could ever ask for. Many of them have been volunteering for years, long before my time as coordinator began. Most have become friends in addition to their volunteer service and it is always great to see them all as they return each year. Some even travel great distances just to be here, including our good friend from Minneapolis, Doug, who stays with us and has been here something like eight of the past ten years. Missing last year only because the birth of his second child happened just a few days before the seminar.

Doug, Chad, Hilary and Diane

Victor LaValle

Joyce Carol Oates

The seminar actually kicks off with a special dinner on Wednesday night for the presenters, their families and guests and the board of directors. This year once again the dinner was held at Salute restaurant and it gave Kathy and I a chance to meet and mingle with the authors who were on hand for this year’s seminar. It was a distinguished list that included the likes of Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood, Naomi Novak, Madeline Miller, Dexter Palmer, Rowan Ricardo Philipps and Geraldine Brooks among others.

Aine and Nellie

Madeline Miller

Joyce Carol Oates

Emily Wilson

Katie, Kathy and Jenni

Our friends and Key West residents, Michael Mewshaw and Meg Cabot were also both on the list this year, Meg recently joined the board and Michael has been a member of the committee for next year’s seminar (which I happen to have been selected chair), “Reading Between the Lines: Sports and Literature”. The wonderful line-up of writers is always a testament to the popularity and prestige that the seminar has acquired over the years.

Mark

After overseeing registration all afternoon on Thursday, the seminar’s opening keynote address was held that evening at the San Carlos Institute and was delivered by the iconic writer, Margaret Atwood. The John Hersey Memorial Address, "Alert: Influences At Work” was one of the best keynote speeches that I have seen and the sold-out crowd was enthralled by Atwood during her 40 minute speech.

Margaret Atwood and Doug

Following a book-signing, we all headed over to our annual opening night reception at the Audubon House and Gardens which offered the first opportunity for the seminar attendees to mix with the writers. It was a beautiful night and a perfect cap to the opening day of this year’s seminar.

Nan Kligener, Meg Cabot and Naomi Novak

Victor LaValle

Emily Wilson

The following morning was the official welcome and start of the weekend of readings, panel discussions and conversations that would be held on the San Carlos stage. Opening remarks by the Executive Director of the san Carlos, Rafael Penalaver, KWLS Director Arlo Haskell and program chair for this year, Nan Klingener kicked the morning off and a full day of seminar followed featuring presentations by writers Emily Wilson, Victor LaValle, Kate Tuttle, Joyce Carol Oates, Dexter Palmer, Eric Shanower, Madeline Miller, Meg Cabot, and Naomi Novak.