ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE.

“The Mobile Literary Festival strives to bring Mobile’s vast literary community together for one day of learning, sharing ideas, and celebration. This year, we are approaching writing from a stage and screen angle to help all of us bring our words on the page to life.” Mobile Literary Festival Founder, Jodie Cain Smith

Free writing conference in Mobile, Alabama:

Aspiring and accomplished writers and readers of all genres are welcome at the 2024 Mobile Literary Festival ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE.

This year’s festival will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Ben May Main Library on Saturday, March 23 in historic downtown Mobile, Alabama.

The annual Mobile Literary Festival features Mobile’s top literary talent for creative writing workshops, a local author book sale, publishing industry panel discussions, poetry readings, and more for writers and readers alike. The Mobile Public Library, Mobile Writers’ Guild, and The Haunted Book Shop sponsor this free festival.

FREE offerings include:

 Setting the Stage: a panel discussion on setting with Carrie Dalby, Candice Marley Conner, and Michael Strecker

 Entrances, Exits, & the In-betweens: a panel discussion on plotting with Jason Stuart, Amy Delcambre, and Carolyn Haines

 Find Your Audience: Learn to market your book with Mandy Haynes, Cynthia Eden, and Lena Patton Webb

 Sue Brannan Walker’s Poetry (Brown Bag) Lunch & Listen

 Scene to Screen: Dive into screen adaptations with Jodie Cain Smith and Adam Prince

 Writing Away Refuge Pitch War!

We are pleased to welcome back The Haunted Book Shop’s popup shop inside the library, featuring area author favorites, national bestsellers, writing craft books, and children’s books.

The 2024 Mobile Literary Festival is brought to you by the Mobile Public Library, The Haunted Book Shop, and Mobile Writers’ Guild. The festival schedule and more information is available on the Mobile Literary Festival Facebook page.

About the Mobile Public Library: The Mobile Public Library is a public service agency. Our mission is to support literacy and connect our community. We offer books, ebooks, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, classes and special events.

About The Haunted Book Shop: The Haunted Book Shop in downtown Mobile, Alabama, specializes in genre fiction, writing craft, and local history. It has a large children’s section with a reading tent and a friendly cat named Mr. Bingley. The store offers literary gifts and hosts author events. The cozy and inviting atmosphere encourages browsing, and the knowledgeable staff is always ready to offer recommendations or help customers find a specific book. The store’s philosophy is to provide an immersive and enjoyable experience. The Haunted Book Shop is a must-visit destination for book lovers in the Mobile community.

About Mobile Writers’ Guild: The Mobile Writers Guild is dedicated to supporting writers across the Gulf Coast. Our members are writers of all stages, from brand new beginners to seasoned published pros. From September to May, MWG hosts monthly meetings with craft workshops to help members hone their skills, understand the business of publishing, and stay inspired.

Jodie Cain Smith is an author, founder of the Mobile Literary Festival, and the event coordinator for The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, AL. Her books include The Woods at Barlow Bend, her debut novel based on the true story of her grandmother’s tumultuous adolescence in rural Alabama, Bayou Cresting: The Wanting Women of Huet Pointe, and 100 Things to Do in Mobile Before You Die. She is the winner of the 2022 Page Turner Award for Screen Adaptation Needed and Best Anthology. Her short works have appeared in The Petigru Review, Pieces Anthology, and Chicken Soup for the Military Spouse's Soul. When not creating fictional worlds on her laptop, Jodie hangs out with her long-suffering husband and the most precious little boy ever created. Seriously, the kid is amazing, and the husband puts up with a lot. Jodie is represented by Amy Collins of Talcott Notch Literary.

Carrie Dalby, a Mobile resident since 1996, writes primarily in the Southern Gothic genre focusing on the 1890s-1920s including the Washington Square Secrets series, The Possession Chronicles, and The Malevolent Trilogy.

FORTITUDE, a teen novel, is listed as a “Best History Book for Kids” by Grateful American Foundation.

Carrie has published seventeen books, numerous short stories in various anthologies, and several non-fiction articles in international magazines. Part of her volunteer work includes having served two terms as president of Mobile Writers Guild, five years as the Mobile Bay area Local Liaison for SCBWI, and helping coordinate the Mobile Literary Festival.