KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- Leading American and international writers are to explore literary short forms during the 34th annual Key West Literary Seminar, an intimate gathering for literature fans set for Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 7-10.
Headquartered at Key West’s historic San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St., the seminar is to feature more than 15 writers of short stories, essays, poetry and more. Among them are Thomas McGuane, whose work includes the landmark Key West novels "Panama" and "Ninety-Two in the Shade" as well as three short-story collections; Joy Williams, whose "The Quick and the Dead" was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; Ann Beattie, considered a pivotal influence on a generation of short-story writers; award-winning Chinese short-story writer Yiyun Li and two-term United States Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
The seminar begins Thursday evening with a conversational presentation by Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz and "New Yorker" theater critic and "White Girls" author Hilton Als exploring themes of displacement in selected short literary works.
Subsequent days feature solo and paired readings, lectures, panel discussions, book signings and receptions where attendees and authors can mingle. Scheduled highlights include a showcase interview with McGuane about his classic Key West novels and a Saturday night discussion between James Gleick and longtime "New Yorker" fiction editor Daniel Menaker about "the inside story" of fiction at the publication. In addition, Menaker is to present two in-depth interviews titled "The Long and Short of Short Fiction."
While most events are open only to seminar registrants, the program includes Sunday afternoon presentations that are open to the public. Beginning at 2 p.m., these include readings and commentary by several of the featured writers. Admission is free with first-come, first-served seating.
The 2016 literary seminar is sold out, but space is still available in associated writers' workshops scheduled Monday through Friday, Jan.11-15.
Florida Keys events calendar: www.fla-keys.com/calendarofevents/
Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)