Arts & Culture

Festival Highlights Lost Southern Voices

Hidden-gem writers and artists are at the forefront of this Atlanta event

The pitch is straightforward: “We ask writers if there is an obscure writer or artist whom they admire that they want to honor by bringing to a new audience,” says Pearl McHaney, a cochair of Revival: Lost Southern Voices Festival, scheduled for March 23–24 at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Photo: Courtesy of Georgia State University

Among the authors scheduled to appear (from left): William Ferris, Trudier Harris, and Steve Stern.

The answers are literary magic. This year, hear Georgia’s poet laureate, Judson Mitcham, read his favorite pieces by the Macon-born poet Seaborn Jones. Meet Lynn Cullen, the Atlanta-based author of the best seller Mrs. Poe, who will share stories about the African American novelist Zora Neale Hurston’s rural Southern childhood. Or listen to folklorist William Ferris spin yarns about some of his favorite lesser-known blues musicians.

The entire event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Take the time to meander through the hallways outside the auditorium, where you’ll find a one-of-a-kind book fair peddling rare, out-of-print, and recently republished books from the authors you just discovered as well as current titles by the presenters. lostsouthernvoices.com