MONROEVILLE LITERARY FESTIVAL

Known as the Literary Capital of Alabama, Monroeville offers a glimpse into the rich history of its local literary arts scene at seemingly every corner. The Monroeville Literary Festival, formerly known as the Alabama Writer’s Symposium, is one such attraction that aims to bring the community together and celebrate this heritage. Attendees will have the chance to participate in a variety of events each year that introduce new opportunities to enjoy all Monroeville has to offer in literature, music, and art.

​The Festival’s Origins

Before it became known as the Monroeville Literary Festival in 2020, the action-packed two days of events went by the name of the Alabama Writers Symposium. The event originated in 1998 as the brainchild of Dr. John Johnson, President of Alabama Southern Community College. His goal was to have Alabama’s most renowned writers and literary scholars convene in a festival-like atmosphere featuring lectures, discussions, readings of famous works, and much more.

Today, the Monroe County Museum is proud to host the Monroeville Literary Festival with support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and many other organizations. And while the event may have a new name, it promises to honor the spirit, values, and goals of the Alabama Writer’s Symposium in celebration of the noteworthy writers who call, or have called Alabama home.

Local and Statewide Recognition

The Monroeville Literary Festival highlights the legendary contributions made by authors and scholars who were born and raised in Alabama, as well as those who spent significant time living in the state. Event-goers will have the opportunity to learn more about the literary and cultural impact of many important figures, including Rebecca Harding Davis, Booker T. Washington, Jimmy Buffett, and many more.

As the Festival’s name suggests, there’s also an emphasis on some of the most famous authors and scholars hailing directly from Monroeville, AL. These include Harper Lee and Truman Capote, who were childhood friends and eventually produced award-winning titles, including To Kill a Mockingbird and In Cold Blood, respectively. The Festival also commemorates the work of Mark Childress, who is best known for works like Crazy in Alabama, One Mississippi, and Tender.

Annual Honors and Awards

Aside from being known for its two days of literary history, delicious food, and other fun activities, this community event also hands out three awards each year. These honors include:

The Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer

Recognizing the recipient’s lifetime literary achievements, this award is given to a writer born in Alabama or whose career took off within the state’s borders.

The Eugene Current-Garcia Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Literary Scholar

This award goes to a highly regarded scholar with roots in the state or who has contributed significantly to Alabama’s literary arts studies.

The Truman Capote Prize for Distinguished Work in the Short Story or Literary Non-Fiction

This honor is reserved for short story or literary non-fiction authors born and/or raised in Alabama or who spent a significant portion of their lives in the state.

A Look at the Schedule
​
Each year, attendees can gather at 2800 S Alabama Ave in Monroeville for two days of literary events, including meet-and-greets with distinguished authors and scholars, workshops, presentations, and much more.​

Candid show of a lunches provided on the Monroe County Museum lawn during the festival.

Before planning your trip to Monroeville, be sure to consult the Monroe County Museum at 251-575-7433 for complete details of the Monroeville Literary Festival. The lineup changes every year, and you won’t want to miss a thing. To learn more about the Festival, you may visit https://www.monroecountymuseum.org/literary-festival.