“You can observe a lot by just watching.”- Yogi Berra

January 13, 2020

Bob Ley, Billy Collins, me and Brian Doyle-Murray

Jane Levy



“You can observe a lot by just watching.”- Yogi Berra

The 2020 Key West Literary Seminar was a crazy whirlwind for me and yet I made sure this year to take time and sit down and watch as much of the event as possible, which is not always easy since I have volunteer coordinator duties that keep me occupied. Thankfully, Kathy served as my right hand person and handled the bulk of the volunteer stuff so that I could watch as much of the program that I had helped create as Program Chair for this year’s topic, “Reading Between the Lines: Sports and Literature”.



Lionel Shriver

Kevin Young

The weekend brought a full slate of incredible readings, panel discussions, parties and more and it kept me busty and enthralled at the same time. Some of my personal favorites were a fascinating discussion between biographer Arnold Rampersad and poet Kevin Young on “Biography and the Black Athlete”, a slightly argumentative panel on “Game, Set, Match. Write” with authors Geoff Dyer, Michael Mewshaw, Rowan Ricardo Philips and Louisa Thomas on the state of tennis now versus historically, and a riveting presentation by Joyce Carol Oates on Boxing.







Louisa Thomas



To a person, the writers were charming, informative, illuminating and insightful. Hearing a weekend of intelligent discussion about writing and the sporting life was a brilliant diversion from the ordinary day to day and I was taken aback by how many positive comments that I received, especially from those who told me that they had not initially been excited by the topic of Sports.

Diane

Kathy





At this point, I think the topic is less relevant than the quality of writers who seem to elevate a discussion on just about any subject into an informative examination on the nature of writing and humanity itself. On Sunday morning, I was thrilled by Amy Bass’s wonderful presentation about her book, “One Goal: A Coach, a Team, and the Game that Brought A Divided Town Together”. The story of the arrival of thousands of Somali immigrants into a small town in Maine and how soccer helped overcome much of the strife and issues that had on the town was a much needed lesson in today’s world.



Leanne Shapton and Buzz Bissinger

Daniel James Brown



Amy had generously given her time to present a similar lecture to students at Key West High School on Friday morning and even appeared on my friend Gwen’s radio program while she was here, getting the nod for going above and beyond the call of duty in service to the seminar. She and her sister, who she brought along as her guest were also great fun to hang out with and Kathy and I really enjoyed getting to spend time with them.



Shayne, Kevin and Kate



Billy Collins

One of my favorite parts of each seminar is when the three named award winners that we honor each year get a chance to read from their work and this year was exceptionally awesome. Writers Chase Burke, Chloe Firetto-Toomey and Andrea Rinard were all stellar and you should mark their names as I expect great things from each of them in the future.

Andrea, Chase and Chloe

Chloe



Arlo

The social aspect of the seminar is also a ton of fun and there are a number of parties, dinners and gatherings that are both part of the program and a few special private events that we get the great privilege of attending each year. Two longtime supporters of the board hosted private parties that were attended by the board, writers and a few special guests that are always enjoyable as we get to spend some quality time with the brilliant people who are here each year.

Jane Levy and Gish Jen

Andrea

Chase with Cecelia Johnson



This year our friend Billy Collins and his wife Susannah had a few special guests of their own on hand who we got to meet. Legendary original ESPN anchor Bob Ley was here as well as writer, actor and comedian Brian Doyle-Murray and his wife. Murray wrote the movie “Caddyshack”, appeared in a ton of movies and was a writer and performer on “Saturday Night Live”. He is also about the nicest guy you would ever hope to meet and it was really cool getting to spend a few moments hanging out with them.





Ashley and Margit





With Ben

I also enjoy the Sunday afternoon session which is free and open to the general public and saw a good crowd of mostly Key West locals show up to get a taste of the seminar. This was my first introduction to the seminar some 25 years ago or so and it is great to offer the opportunity to the community at large. Another cool thing that has coincided with the seminar for the past five years or so is the annual Soldier Ride, which passes in front of the San Carlos down Duval Street as part of their ride from Miami down to Key West.









The ride features wounded soldiers representing the US military, all of whom have suffered some sort of combat injury, many severe including the loss of limbs. They ride the entire length of the Keys to tremendous support and people lining the streets to cheer them on as they bring awareness to the wounded warriors who have so bravely given so much in service of this country. I always take a break from the seminar to walk out to the roadside and cheer there remarkable people on as they pass. It is an inspiring, heart-warming and thought provoking experience that just illustrates how fortunate we are to live in a free country.