emchy

"Literary Gumbo" for the Soul: 5th Annual Saints and Sinners LGBTIQ Literary Festival to be held May 10-13, 2007, New Orleans

Five years ago, Paul Willis had a vision of LGBTIQ authors coming together for a weekend to celebrate Queer Literature, build community, and raise money for NO/AIDS, New Orleans’ AIDS Outreach organization. This May10-13, the 5th annual Saints and Sinners LGBTIQ Literary Festival will take place in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

“The atmosphere at Saints and Sinners has evolved over the years into feeling like a family reunion—a family that consists of creative and intelligent people sharing ideas, energy, and always welcoming new members. Your support and participation in the 5th anniversary of the event is even more significant as New Orleans works to rebuild its cultural and literary legacy after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.”

—Paul Willis, Executive Director of Saints and Sinners Literary Festival

Saints and Sinners participants represent a wide range of diversity—emerging writers to well-established authors in all age, racial and economic groups attend the festival. The festival is always encouraging more diversity and tries to reach out to those who are traditionally underrepresented at LGBTIQ events. Saints and Sinners attracts a mix of lesbian, bi, gay, and trans folks as well as a few intersex folks and heterosexuals who are interested in LGBTIQ literature.

The three-and-half day event offers a wide variety of activities including a full day of focused master classes on Friday, May 11. This year’s line-up includes: Nancy Garden on censorship and writing for young adults, William J. Mann talking about his Katherine Hepburn Biography, Amie M. Evans and Toni Amato on Reading Your Work, and Greg Herren and JM Redmann on the business aspect of publishing. In addition, master’s classes will be offered by Dorothy Allison, Jim Grimsley, Jewelle Gomez, and Abda Dawesar.

On Saturday and Sunday, there are over 20 panel discussions to choose from on topics as wide ranging as What Does Art and Integrity Got to Do with It?: The Business Side of Publishing; Writing After Your World Is Washed Away; as well as author talks on the subjects of mystery, romance, memoir, and graphic novels. A complete list of this year’s panel discussions is available at the web site.

There is something for everyone from the fan to the emerging writer to the seasoned pro. Not to mention all the authors who will be reading from their latest works during the two days of panel discussions as part of the Haworth Press/Harrington Park Press Reading series.

“I think a key factor in why people attend the festival is to celebrate LGBTIQ literature and to recharge their creativity through active participation with a writing community. Authors attend to network and meet with other authors, editors and publishers. Fans attend because no where else can you have so much interaction with so many wonderful writers of different genres.”

—Karissa Kary, Associate Director

The list of this year’s presenters includes authors, editors, and representatives from various presses—a regular who’s-who of queer literature. Join, among others, authors:

Dorothy Allison, Toni Amato, Cheryl B., Laura Baumbach, Andrew W.M. Beierle, Anthony Bidulka, Kathleen Bryson, Abha Dawesar, Abby Denson, Jolee Dupre, Cindy Emch, Amie M. Evans, Catherine Friend, Jewelle Gomez, Jim Grimsley, JD Guildford, Aaron Hamburger, Tara Hardy, Victor Hawkins, Trebor Healey, Greg Herren, Ruby Kane, Thomas Keith, Jeff Mann, William J. Mann, Val McDermid, Rich Merritt, Ian Philips, Martin Pousson, JM Redman, Gary Richards, Jeffrey Round, Robert Taylor, Jim Tushinski, Greg Wharton, Elizabeth Whitney, and Kevin Winge. In addition, Author Nancy Garden will be joining us to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of the controversial novel Annie On My Mind.

Participants will be updated on website as confirmed. The panel discussions will also include editors/publishers from various presses including: Alyson Books, Bywater Books, the Haworth Press/Harrington Park Press, Rebel Satori Press, Soft Skull Press, and Suspect Thoughts Press—others to be confirmed.

As well as established authors and new and exciting voices, we feature publishers and editors. Past houses that have sent representatives include: Alyson, Bella, Bold Strokes, ByWater, Harrington, Haworth, and Suspect Thoughts Presses.

The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in association with the Marigny Theatre Corporation and the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival is pleased to announce the first annual playwright’s contest. The winning play will be produced by the Marigny Theatre Corporation and will premier May 12th in conjunction with the 5th annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival.

“There are master classes, panel discussions, and readings. There are educational, social and community elements to the event. I attend because it provides me with hope for a better tomorrow and joy at the incredible creativity and diversity of my queer brothers and sisters.”

—Amie M. Evans, Board Member

As well as the opening and closing receptions that are included in the festival pass; there are always a number of special events offering entertaining social opportunities associated with the festival that for a small additional fee participants can attend. A new special event fundraiser will kick-off the Festival on Thursday, May 10. The evening will include a sampling of New Orleans culture with a tarot card reader, Mardi Gras beads, samples of local cuisine, and featuring writers reading from their favorite New Orleans authors. Amie M. Evans, Dr. Kenneth Holditch, and a number of others will read from their favorite New Orleans’ authors’ work including Jewelle Gomez who will read from Anne Rice. On Friday night after the opening reception, intimate dinners hosted by local New Orleans’ celebrities with featured authors take place. On Saturday, the winning play from the contest will be preformed, and, of course, since the festival is held in the heart of the French Quarter there is never a lack of fun events and nightlife going on for participants to take part in.

As part of our closing reception this year, the winners of “The Outstanding Mid-Career Novelists’ Prize” will be announced. This will become an annual recognition initiated by Jim Duggins, Ph.D. There will be two annual cash awards of $5,000 given to a man and a woman to reward, recognize, and promote LGBT mid-career novelists of extraordinary talent and service to the LGBT community.

Located in the Heart of the French Quarter, the Bourbon Orleans, A Wyndham Historic Hotel, features classic Southern Charm with styling reminiscent of the French Opulence of the early 1800's, serves as the conference headquarters. Confirmed sponsors for the 2007 event include: Abita Beer, the Arts Council of New Orleans, Ambush Magazine, Bold Strokes Books, the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, the Bourbon Pub & Parade, Dreamwalker Group, Gambit Weekly, Gival Press, the Haworth Press/Harrington Park Press, Lambda Literary Foundation, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, ManLoveAuthors.com, the Publishing Triangle, Rain Vodka, Rebel Satori Press & Ashe! Journal, Suspect Thoughts Press, the Times-Picayune, Where Y’at Magazine.

Join us for this "Literary Gumbo" for the soul, support the “city that care forgot” and be a part of the cultural restoration of New Orleans. Your participation in Saints and Sinners also benefits the programs of the NO/AIDS Task Force.

For a complete schedule of events, participant list, registration form, and on-line shopping cart, visit: www.sasfest.com. For questions or to register over the phone: 504-581-1144. If interested in sponsorship opportunities email: sasfestnola@gmail.com