Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
“Writing the Hard Stories.”
EVENTS TIMELINE
festival Schedule
saturday, sept. 28, 2024
registration opens
A stellar check-in process sets the tone for the rest of your festival activities.
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
workshop A
“Taking Your Right Brain Out for a Spin”
Michelle Brafman
“Pitching Non-Fiction”
Margaret Talbot
“Helping Others Write the Hard Stories”
Monica Mische and Jarvis Slacks
9:00 am – 10:00 am
workshop b
“Point of View/Voice”
Susan Coll
Susan Coll
“Unpacking the Literary Suitcase and Discovering
the Memoir Beneath One’s Undergarments”
Ethelbert Miller
“Listing Your Way to a (Lyric) Essay”
Randon Billings Noble
10:15 am – 11:15 am
saturday, sept. 28, 2024
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Gary Berg-Cross and Festival Committee Members
11:25 am – 11:30 pm
A Conversation about Writing the Hard Stories
Jesmyn Ward and Kiese Laymon
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lunch Break
Purchased from festival or on your own.
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Keynote Talk
David Ignatius on “The Impossibility of Trying to Write a ‘Gatsbyesque’ Novel…and Other Lessons from a Journo- Literary Career”
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
saturday, sept. 28, 2024
awards ceremony
- Recognition of F. Scott Fitzgerald Scholars
- Introduction of Jesmyn Ward
- Presentation of the Annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Award for Achievement
In American Literature for 2024:
Jesmyn Ward - Acceptance & Reading
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
esteemed author reception
Book Signing with Jesmyn Ward
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
tuesday, may 7, 2024
5:30-7:30 PM
5:30-7:30 PM
annual membership meeting
A virtual gathering of festival members to discuss 2024 festival activities.
May 7, 2024
5:30-6:30 PM
5:30-6:30 PM
special virtual talk
Lecture by Dr. Carlyle Van Thompson
“Jay Gatsby, The Thrill Is Gone: The Great Gatsby, a Blues Narrative of Racial Passing”
“Jay Gatsby, The Thrill Is Gone: The Great Gatsby, a Blues Narrative of Racial Passing”
May 7, 2024
6:30-7:30 PM
6:30-7:30 PM
saturday, sept. 28, 2024
bus tour
An Exclusive Bus Tour of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Historic Rockville Sites.
9:45 am – 11:15 am
THURSday, sept. 19, 2024
SHORT STORY CONTEST CEREMONY
An evening acknowledging the 2024 F. Scott Fitzgerald Short Story Contest winners.
ROCKVILLE MEMORIAL LIBRARY (MCPL)
2nd Floor
21 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
FREE EVENT
Eileen McGuckian, Historian & author
Saturday, sept. 28, 2024, 9:45 am – 11:15 AM
Saturday, sept. 28, 2024, 9:45 am – 11:15 AM
Eileen McGuckian, a renowned author of six books on Rockville history, including “Rockville: Portrait of a City” (2001) and “F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Rockville: A Guide to Rockville in the 1920s” (1996), will guide you through this immersive bus tour experience.
Her experience in history and preservation spans four decades with Rockville and County historic commissions, the Maryland Historical Trust, and nonprofits such as Montgomery Preservation, Coalition to Protect MD Burial Sites, and Higgins Cemetery Association. As the former executive director of Peerless Rockville for three decades, McGuckian is dedicated to preserving historic places for future generations.
“Walk in the Footsteps of F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Guided BUS Tour of
Jazz Age Rockville.”
Jazz Age Rockville.”
Join historian Eileen McGuckian for an exclusive bus tour of Rockville, the small town F. Scott Fitzgerald knew intimately in the 1920s. Experience the essence of Rockville during the Jazz Age as you visit key locations such as the site of Fitzgerald’s father’s funeral, the institution where his mother stayed, and the historic cemeteries where F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald are buried.
Space is limited. Register early.
THE FITZGERALD AWARD FOR
Achievement in American Literature
At the heart of the Literary Festival lies the prestigious F. Scott Fitzgerald Award for Achievement in American Literature, a distinguished honor bestowed upon an eminent American writer. The recipient, gracing the festival with their presence, not only receives the accolade but also engages attendees with a captivating reading and a master class.
Notably, the festival has proudly included Pulitzer Prize winners among its distinguished recipients over the years, showcasing a tradition of honoring some of the most illustrious figures in American literature from the past half-century.
invited festival speakers
our presenters
the 2024 fitzgerald award honoree
jesmyn ward
Jesmyn Ward is a highly acclaimed American novelist and professor. Known for her poignant explorations of race, family, and Southern life, Ward has received widespread recognition for her literary contributions. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and went on to publish her debut novel, Where the Line Bleeds, in 2008. Her second novel, Salvage the Bones (2011), won the National Book Award for Fiction. Her third novel, Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017), also won the National Book Award, making her the first woman to win the prestigious prize twice. Jesmyn Ward is a professor of creative writing at Tulane University, influencing the next generation of writers with her powerful and empathetic narratives.
Photo Courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
special 2024 invited guest
kiese laymon
Kiese Laymon is a prominent American writer, educator, and cultural critic. He earned his undergraduate degree from Oberlin College and later obtained a Master’s degree in Fine Arts in Fiction from Indiana University. Laymon’s work often explores themes of race, identity, and the American South. His memoir, Heavy: An American Memoir (2018), received critical acclaim for its raw and unflinching examination of personal and societal struggles. In addition to his impactful writing, Laymon has contributed essays to various publications and has held teaching positions at institutions like Vassar College and the University of Mississippi. His distinctive voice and fearless storytelling have established him as a vital contemporary voice in American literature and social commentary.
Photo Courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
2024 festival keynote
david ignatius
David Ignatius is an accomplished American journalist and novelist known for his insightful commentary on international affairs. Born on May 26, 1950, Ignatius graduated from Harvard College and later earned a master’s degree in economics from the Kennedy School of Government. With a career spanning several decades, he has been a prominent columnist for the Washington Post since 1986, covering a wide range of global issues. Ignatius has also written twelve novels, including The Sun King, SIRO, Body of Lies, and The Director, which showcase his talent for combining his deep understanding of geopolitical dynamics with compelling storytelling. His work has earned him accolades and respect in the fields of journalism and fiction, solidifying his position as a key voice in the analysis of international relations.
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Lih for Wikipedia Creative Commons
fitzgerald festival
Partners & Sponsors
The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival owes its success and vitality to the invaluable contributions of sponsors and supporters who understand the profound significance of fostering literary talent and celebrating the legacies of iconic writers. These dedicated individuals and organizations play a pivotal role in empowering the next generation of writers, providing them with a platform to showcase their creativity and hone their craft. By recognizing and supporting the festival, sponsors contribute to the preservation and advancement of literature, ensuring that emerging voices are heard and revered.
Their commitment not only sustains the festival but also strengthens the literary community by fostering an environment where aspiring writers can connect, learn, and be inspired. Without the generous support of these sponsors, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival would be unable to fulfill its mission, making their contributions instrumental in the ongoing cultivation of literary excellence.
the 2024 F.Scott Fitzgerald
literary festival short story contest
The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival’s Adult and Student Short Story Contest has been an integral part of the festival since its inception in 1996, showcasing a rich tradition of celebrating literary excellence. Open to both adult and student writers, this contest provides a platform for emerging talents to showcase their storytelling prowess in the spirit of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary legacy. With a commitment to nurturing creativity and fostering a love for literature, the contest encourages participants to craft compelling narratives that resonate with the timeless themes that Fitzgerald explored in his own works.
Aspiring writers delve into the world of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Festival and participate in the Short Story Contest by submitting their original, thought-provoking works. The festival’s dedication to promoting literary arts is further exemplified through this contest, where participants have the opportunity to contribute to the festival’s vibrant tapestry of literary exploration.