The 39th annual Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival is set to take place from March 26 to March 30, 2025, in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, kicking off with the traditional Stella Shouting Contest on March 23 at 2pm. Events will mostly be held at the Hotel Monteleone, the official host venue.
Complementing the literary focus, the festival will host the Saints & Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival, celebrating its 22nd year concurrently, from March 28 to March 30. This festival will include a variety of events such as author readings, book pitches, and special receptions.
Paul J. Willis, the executive director of the festival, expressed excitement for this year’s events, highlighting new additions such as the Pinckley Prize panels. "We are looking forward to another great weekend of literary and performance events," he stated. The festival will feature more than 60 events, showcasing the literary contributions of over 50 local New Orleans writers and a diverse array of speakers.
Among the notable figures attending the festival is gay Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham, alongside New York Times best-selling Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn.
A focal point of the festivities will be March 29, when the festival commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Diana Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction. This day will feature a series of discussions and panels centred on mystery writing. Gillian Flynn is to receive the award for Distinguished Body of Work, while Shreveport author Ashley Elston will be honoured for her Debut Novel. The day will conclude with an awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m., which is open to the public.
Tracy Cunningham, the festival’s managing director, noted the integration of a noir theme in the programming with events like a 1920s-themed murder mystery, aptly set amidst the atmospheric backdrop of the French Quarter. The festival has also chosen a gothic-themed cover for its promotional materials, designed by renowned New Orleans photographer Frank Relle.
Traditions such as the Stella Shouting Contest will feature Bryan Batt as emcee, alongside Beth Bartley d’Amour and Todd d’Amour performing as Stella and Stanley, respectively. This contest, derived from the iconic "A Streetcar Named Desire," doubles as a fundraiser for the New Orleans Family Justice Center, which addresses domestic violence issues.
In addition to literary events, the festival includes a series of panels addressing various topics related to the New Orleans experience. These sessions will delve into matters such as the influences on Tennessee Williams’ writing, the dynamics of place and memory in poetry, and the contributions of Romani culture to contemporary media. Other features include walking tours, a book fair, and a tribute to author Dorothy Allison.
The festival also dedicates a segment of its programming to Tennessee Williams, presenting numerous panels and discussions, alongside the annual Tennessee Williams Scholars Conference. A special reading celebrating Tennessee Williams in One Act—The Best 50 Years of His Short Plays will be held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
Source: Noah Wire Services