(Press Release)
Programs dedicated to the art of literature
First meetings set for August 2009
(Savannah, GA) — The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home announces the formation of a new literary guild aimed at fiction writers and book lovers throughout the Coastal Empire. The Peacock Guild, a literary society for bibliophiles and writers, will focus on two main programs: a monthly book club aimed at literature lovers and a bimonthly writers’ salon to encourage Southern writers in their individual enterprises.
“We’re excited to be starting these programs,” said Bill Dawers, President of the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home Foundation, which owns the historic house museum and regularly holds lectures and readings. “We see this as another way to support Flannery O’Connor’s legacy in Savannah.”
“Writing is such a solitary practice, I wanted a place that I could meet up with other writers to talk about how things were going, get help with ideas, and have a place to get positive feedback on my work,” said Adrienn Mendonca, a former docent with the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home and the volunteer coordinator of this new effort.
“I realized the childhood home was an excellent place for writers to meet. It didn’t yet have this kind of program, and it has a truly inspiring atmosphere,” said Mendonca. “To know that you’re in a place where a great Southern writer was formed, where so many people who love literature have endeavored to understand its pull, it’s an incredible opportunity.”
Organizers envision the book club meeting once a month to discuss great works of the American literary canon—including O’Connor’s work and other examples of Southern writing—as well as other titles in contemporary literature. Club titles will be chosen by the input of participants, and the focus will be on actually discussing chosen works.
“So many book clubs are primarily social in focus,” said Mendonca. “This will have elements of that, to be sure, but this group really is for readers who want to step outside the solitary act of reading into sharing their thoughts on what they have read.”
The writers’ salon is envisioned as a non-traditional fiction writers’ workshop of sorts. “The focus is not on criticism so much as on sharing,” said Mendonca. “So many offerings for writers are framed as professional critique sessions. That can be kind of scary for fiction writers, who often put so much of themselves into their writing. This is intended to be a supportive, conducive environment to encourage writers.”
The first meetings of the book club and writers’ salon will be organizational meetings designed to bring people together. “We want the Guild to be an organic experience, something that will serve the community for years to come,” said Mendonca.
“We encourage everyone who wants to help shape the Peacock Guild to come to these formative meetings and become a part of the literary landscape of Savannah,” said Dawers.
The Peacock Guild will hold initial meetings at the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, located just off Lafayette Square at 207 East Charlton Street in downtown Savannah:
• Book Club: Meets Wednesday, August 19th at 7:30 p.m.
• Writers’ Salon: Meets Wednesday, August 26th at 7:30 p.m.
The cost is free, though annual memberships to the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home are encouraged and start at $25.
If you can’t make the meetings and want to be added into the mailing list, or for more information, call 912-233-6014, email peacockguild@gmail.com, or contact Bill Dawers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dawers
