42nd annual Key West Literary Seminar — "Family"

Thu Jan 09 2025 at 06:00 pm to Sun Jan 12 2025 at 05:00 pm UTC-05:00

The Key West Amphitheater | Key West

Key West Literary Seminar
Publisher/HostKey West Literary Seminar
42nd annual Key West Literary Seminar \u2014 "Family"
Advertisement
The world-renowned Key West Literary Seminar is back for 4 days in January with a literary exploration of "Family."
About this Event

The Key West Literary Seminar is a four-day literary celebration in a historic island city.

Each year we focus on a specific literary theme and build it out into a four-day festival of ideas. In 2025, we'll explore family, with a roster of celebrated authors including John Irving and Andre Dubus III. They'll discuss how a subject that has anchored literature since antiquity continues to enlighten, entertain, and outrage modern readers.

What links the stories of Adam and Eve, Odysseus and Penelope, and modern-day classics like Irving's World According to Garp and Dubus III's House of Sand and Fog? These and so many other great works are, at their heart, all about family.

At this year's Seminar, you'll also hear from Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Harding, whose Booker Prize-nominated novel This Other Eden is inspired by the true story of Malaga Island, an isolated enclave that became one of the first racially integrated towns in the Northeast. Bestselling author Nathan Hill will discuss his hilarious novel Wellness, which mines the absurdities of contemporary coupledom and has been praised as a "masterpiece" by NPR. Barbara Rae-Venter will share insights from her Edgar Award-winning book I Know Who You Are, which details her breakthrough use of Investigative Genetic Genealogy in solving cold cases including the Golden State Killer. Two-time Jewish Book Award winner Dani Shapiro will discuss her own staggering family secret, which inspired her to create the hit podcast Family Secrets. And acclaimed graphic artist Edel Rodriguez, known for his boldly satirical covers for TIME magazine, will discuss Worm, the graphic memoir of his family's flight from Cuba to America on the Mariel boatlift.

These and many more authors will be featured during the four-day Seminar, starting around sunset on January 9, 2025. When you register by November 15, you'll receive complete access to all onstage events; our lavish opening night reception, a farewell luncheon on the final day of the Seminar, and daily coffee service throughout; plus discounted rates at our partner hotels.

And that's not all — stay tuned for announcements about film screenings, our special musical guests, and the final additions to our roster of distinguished authors.

F eatured Authors Include:

  • Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
  • Kristen Arnett
  • Billy Collins
  • S.A. Cosby
  • Andre Dubus III
  • Paul Harding
  • Nathan Hill
  • John Irving
  • Jean Hanff Korelitz
  • Victor LaValle
  • Malinda Lo
  • Ayana Mathis
  • David McConnell
  • Lydia Millet
  • Rowan Ricardo Phillips
  • Emily Raboteau
  • Barbara Rae-Venter
  • Edel Rodriguez
  • Dani Shapiro
  • Brando Skyhorse

Register before November 15 to receive the following value-added package.

  • Access to all onstage events and signings ($825)
  • Discounted rates at Partner Hotels, while supplies last ($200+)
  • Food & Beverage Package: includes opening night reception, farewell lunch, & daily coffee service ($225)
  • 20% off bicycle rentals with We-Cycle
  • 20% off sunset sails aboard Argo Navis
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Key West Amphitheater, 21 Quay Road, Key West, United States

Tickets

USD 108.55 to USD 2650.00

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Key West

Scott Kirby w. Noah Robertson
Wed Jan 08 2025 at 07:00 pm Scott Kirby w. Noah Robertson

Key West Theater

Scott Kirby
Thu Jan 09 2025 at 07:00 pm Scott Kirby

Key West Theater

Scott Kirby with Noah Robertson in the Backstage Listening Room
Thu Jan 09 2025 at 07:00 pm Scott Kirby with Noah Robertson in the Backstage Listening Room

Key West Theater

VAIL JOHNSON IS BASSICALLY INCORRECT | ALL NEW SHOW!
Thu Jan 09 2025 at 07:30 pm VAIL JOHNSON IS BASSICALLY INCORRECT | ALL NEW SHOW!

319 Duval Street, Rear, 33040

Paula Poundstone at Key West Theater
Thu Jan 09 2025 at 08:00 pm Paula Poundstone at Key West Theater

Key West Theater

January Members Meeting - Juan Buitrago Demo
Fri Jan 10 2025 at 03:00 pm January Members Meeting - Juan Buitrago Demo

301 Front Street, Key West, FL, United States, Florida 33040

Comedian Magician, Andy Gross at Key West Theater
Sat Jan 11 2025 at 08:00 pm Comedian Magician, Andy Gross at Key West Theater

Key West Theater

Key West is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Key West Events