20th Annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe

Headlining Authors Announced for the 20th Annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe
January 17th-19th, 20245 
Isle of Palms, SC

Tickets are on sale now for the 20th Annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe January 17-19, 2024 in Isle of Palms, South Carolina–one of the biggest literary weekend experiences of the year. Come see why Forbes Magazine calls this event one of “10 Reasons to Visit Charleston This Winter.”

This three-day event attracts more than 500 readers to the island town just outside of Charleston for memorable conversations and experiences with some of America’s bestselling and award-winning writers. We are excited to welcome this year’s headlining authors:

Kwame Alexander #1 New York Times bestselling, 3 time Newberry award winning author, Emmy-winning producer, poet, and author of 41 books. Kwame’s numerous accolades and awards include a National Book Award nomination, the Newbery Honor, the Caldecott Medal, and shortlisted for the prestigious UK Carnegie Medal. Kwame was executive producer, Showrunner, and Writer of Disney TV series The Crossover. A regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, and creator and host of the podcast Why Fathers Cry. His memoir, Why Fathers Cry at Night, is a featured title at this year’s event.

Kristin Harmel New York Times bestselling and #1 international bestselling author of 16 novels with books translated into more than 30 languages. Kristin is a co-founder and co-host of the popular Friends & Fiction. Her latest novel, The Paris Daughter, is now in paperback and a featured title at this year's event, as well as her upcoming June release The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. (Please note: This is a PREORDER which will ship to ticket holders receiving this title on PUBLICATION DAY, June 17, 2025, at no additional cost.)

Patti Callahan Henry New York Times bestselling author of 18 novels. Patti is the recipient of the Christy Award, the Harper Lee Award, and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year. Patti is a cofounder and cohost of the popular Friends and Fiction. Her upcoming The Story She Left Behind is a featured title at this year’s event and will be included as a PREORDER which will ship to ticket holders receiving this title on PUBLICATION DAY (March 18, 2025) at no additional cost.

Mary Alice Monroe New York Times bestselling author of 30 books. Her numerous awards include South Carolina Hall of Fame, The Southern Prize for Fiction, Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, and International Award for Green Fiction. Her novel, The Beach House, is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Mary Alice is a cofounder of Friends and Fiction. Monroe founded and hosts The Wild Dunes Author Series and moderates the conversation. Her upcoming Where the Rivers Merge is a featured title at this year’s event and will be included as a PREORDER which will ship to ticket holders receiving this title on PUBLICATION DAY (May 13, 2025) at no additional cost.  

Buxton Books is the sponsoring bookseller of the Wild Dunes Author Series Weekend.

Tickets to these events are non-refundable.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE WILD DUNES LITERARY EVENT

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19TH

Sunday is the weekend’s headline event! Guests will enjoy a 75-minute in-depth and lively author conversation moderated by Mary Alice Monroe. She’ll dive deep into a discussion of their novels, writing journeys, the writing life, and inspirations. Audience questions conclude the discussion.

Sunday’s experience will include a complimentary signature cocktail, delicious appetizers, coffee bar, and dessert. A curated silent auction, Buxton Books pop-up book shop and more. 
Program begins at 2pm. 

The Wild Dunes Author Event with Mary Alice Monroe proudly supports literacy, and proceeds from the event and 100% of auction will go to Reading Partners SC, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides weekly one-on-one tutoring for local elementary school students. We’re grateful to the authors for donating their time and to our sponsors for their generous support.

Guests who reserve their tickets to the Wild Dunes Author Event with Mary Alice Monroe unlock access to an array of additional Saturday offerings!  

General Admission Ticket: $70.00 The general admission ticket includes general seating in the Osprey Ballroom at Sweetgrass Inn, a complimentary cocktail, coffee, cake, appetizers, plus one (1) autographed hardcover of a featured title of your choice. Please note, if a preorder title is selected it will be shipped to you on the book's publication date at no additional cost. This ticket is a key to participate in all of the additional ticketed weekend events.

VIP Ticket: $155.00 The VIP ticket includes 5 books: one each of all four featured titles plus a gift of a signed backlist copy from one of the featured authors. 

(Please note: The preorder titles will be shipped to ticket holders on their respective publication dates for no additional cost.) In addition, VIPs receive a preorder gift for Henry and Monroe's preorder books with autographed bookplates. Plus a Buxton Books tote bag. MORE! VIP tickets include premiere seating in the front rows of the Osprey Ballroom at Sweetgrass Inn. AND the ballroom doors will open early for the VIP ticket holders only for an exclusive pre-event book signing time with authors. Ticket also includes a complimentary cocktail, coffee, cake, and appetizers. 

This ticket is a key to participate in all of the additional ticketed weekend events. There is a limited number of VIP tickets available.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH

The weekend includes an exciting array of events on Saturday, January 18th. Registration to these literary events is only available to guests who have purchased a ticket to the Sunday Main Event. These events have a very limited capacity, so get your tickets early. 

11 am   PRE-LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE EVENT  Books & Brunch with Mary Alice Monroe  ($54.00)

Enjoy a delicious brunch, mimosas and a coffee bar in the luxe Indigo Room & Rooftop with Charleston’s queen of lowcountry fiction Mary Alice Monroe for a special conversation about her upcoming, long awaited novel Where the Rivers Merge. Polly Buxton, owner of Buxton Books, will moderate. They will be joined by special guest Gretta Kruesi, artist, muralist, and Monroe’s daughter for a heart-to-heart talk about the novel as well as the creative, nurturing bonds between women as family and friends. Your ticket also includes a signed, first-edition hardcover of Where the Rivers Merge that will be mailed to your home when the book is released AND take home a specially printed and signed excerpt from Where the Rivers Merge, along with a custom-made gift from Monroe. This is the ultimate experience for fans of Mary Alice Monroe novels.

2:00 pm   Writing Poetry for Special Occasions with Marjory Wentworth  ($15.00)

Guests will have a rare opportunity to learn the art of writing poetry with South Carolina’s former poet laureate and area favorite, Marjory Wentworth. Using her latest book for inspiration–One River, One Boat, Wentworth will share tools, techniques, and encouragement to help you craft your own poetry for special occasions. Wentworth will be joined by special guest, Asiah Mae, Charleston’s current poet laureate.  Guests will also receive a custom notebook and keepsake pen A pop-up bookshop will be on site. Ticket includes a coffee and pastry station. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to nurture your creativity with one of South Carolina’s most distinguished poets!

5:00 pm   Cocktails and Conversation with Kwame Alexander and Mary Alice Monroe   ($30.00)

Enjoy an up-close conversation between the wildly diverse and talented Kwame Alexander and Mary Alice Monroe as they talk about the dynamic world of children’s literature–and more. Sip wine and nosh appetizers as you enjoy a glorious sunset view on the rooftop of the Sweetgrass Hotel. Ticket includes a signed paperback copy of The Door of No Return, Kwame’s #1 New York Times bestseller and the first in this profoundly beautiful children’s book series that adults love, too.  

Saturday events are only available to those who are Sunday Main Event ticket holders. 

Tickets to these events are non-refundable.

WILD DUNES AUTHOR EVENT & WEEKEND HOTEL RESERVATIONS

The Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe includes an opportunity to treat yourself to stay on property at the world-class Wild Dunes Resort. Opportunities to golf, swim, enjoy the spa, and of course walk the beach await you!

This is a special opportunity for friends, couples, and book clubs to gather at a luxury seaside resort to celebrate a shared love of books. Call Wild Dunes Resort at 866-499-7122 to receive an exclusive promo code for your room rate. 

Treat yourself to this literary experience at the beach!

The season of gift giving is approaching! A ticket to the Wild Dunes Author Event is a perfect gift for your book-loving friend, spouse, or family member. And it’s perfect for book clubs! 

For ticketing questions, please contact:
Buxton Books
mam@buxtonbooks.com

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Angela May, May Media and PR
angela@maryalicemonroe.com

ABOUT WILD DUNES RESORT, A DESTINATION BY HYATT RESORT:
Nestled on the northern tip of Isle of Palms, a lush barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt resort, occupies 1,600 acres of oceanfront paradise with a variety of accommodation options, including the AAA Four-Diamond Rated Boardwalk Inn, the Village at Wild Dunes, private condos, luxury home vacation rentals and its new 153-room Sweetgrass Inn opening in 2021. Wild Dunes Resort, located just 30 minutes from the charm and grace of historic downtown Charleston, will be the largest resort of its kind in the region with the addition of Sweetgrass Inn, offering groups of up to 650 people the chance to enjoy a Lowcountry getaway. With year-round championship golf, nationally ranked tennis, award-winning recreation, spa services and restaurant options, Wild Dunes Resort has been distinguished by many publications and associations as a top destination for families, golfers, tennis lovers and meeting and event planners. Visit Wild Dunes Resort online on Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

OUR SPONSORS:
We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping make this literary experience and fundraiser possible. They are the Wild Dunes Resort, the Wild Dunes Club, Buxton Books (add more sponsors here).

Proceeds from the Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend will directly support Reading Partners South Carolina, which is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Charleston, SC that provides one-on-one tutoring for elementary students at Title 1 schools in the greater Charleston area to help them improve their literacy skills to reach at great level.