Upcoming Events

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Summerville, SC
September 4, 2022
2:00-5:30 pm
James Dean Theater
Southern Lit Spectacular
Panel with Robert Gwaltney, Kim Brock & JC Sasser
* A ticketed event

 

Anderson, SC
October 15 and 16, 2022
Denver Downs Fall Festival
Bren will be signing books!
1515 Denver Road
864.515.4554
(More info to come!)

 

Beaufort, SC
October, 28, 2022
3:00-4:30 pm
Pat Conroy Literary Festival
AUTHOR EVENT: Panel discussion with four winners of the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction: Nathan Harris (The Sweetness of Water), De’Shawn Charles Winslow (In West Mills), Bren McClain (One Good Mama Bone), and Mindy Friddle (Secret Keepers). Book signing to follow, at the USC Beaufort Center for the Arts (free event, donations welcome).
Click here to register  

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Beaufort, SC
October 29, 2022
9:00-10:30 am
Pat Conroy Literary Festival 2022
Bren is teaching a class — “Fiction Can Fix Things”
Click here to register

 

Past Events

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Savannah, GA

September 16, 2016
SIBA (Southeastern Independent Booksellers Association)
Panel: Story River Books Celebrates Pat Conroy

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Beaufort, SC
October 20, 2016
Pat Conroy Literary Festival
Writers’ Workshop #1: Putting Your Passion in Print: How to Share Your Vision and Influence with a Greater Audience with Bren McClain and Shari Stauch of Where Writers Win . (This workshop will be held in classroom space at the USCB Center for the Arts.)
Writers’ Workshop #2: The Power of Connection: Putting Your 90% Factor to Work for You with Bren McClain and Shari Stauch of Where Writers Win. (This workshop will be held in classroom space at the USCB Center for the Arts.)

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Nacogdoches, TX
January 12-15, 2017
Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend

 

Anderson, SC
February 16, 2017
Launch, reading, & signing
Anderson County Museum

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Beaufort, SC
February 17, 2017
Reading & signing
McIntosh Book Shoppe

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Edisto Island, SC
February 18, 2017
Reading & signing
Edisto Bookstore

 

Anderson, SC
February 21, 2017
Foothills Writers Guild
Anderson University

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Hartsville, SC
February 23, 2017
Talk, reading & signing
Burry Bookstore

 

Charleston, SC
February 24, 2017
Buxton Books

 

Columbia, SC
February 26, 2017
Panel with Bren McClain, Carla Damron, and Deno Trakas. Moderated by Tim Conroy
Deckle Edge Book Festival

 

Nashville, TN
February 28, 2017
Launch, author interview by bookseller River Jordan, and signing
Parnassus Books

 

Chattanooga, TN
March 2, 2017
Reading & signing
StarLine Books

 

Atlanta, GA
March 4, 2017
Reading & signing
Tall Tales Bookshop

 

Anderson, SC
March 6, 2017
“Writing and researching a novel about yesterday.”
A talk & signing

Anderson County Public Library

 

Anderson, SC
March 10, 2017
Local Authors Panel
Anderson County Chamber’s Women’s Brunch
Bleckley Inn 

 

St. Helena, SC
March 14, 2017
“In Conversation with Valerie Sayers” to kick off the Pat Conroy Literary Center Visiting Writers Series

St. Helena Branch Library

 

Charlotte, NC
March 16, 2017
Reading & signing
Park Road Books

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High Point, NC
March 18, 2017
Reading & signing
Sunrise Books

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Greensboro, NC
March 19, 2017
Reading & signing
Fundraiser for Flurry’s Hope Blind Horse Rescue
Scuppernong Books

 

Wake Forest, NC
March 20, 2017
Author Interview Event
Page 158 Books

 

Myrtle Beach, SC
March 30, 2017
South Wind on the Ocean

 

Asheville, NC
April 1, 2017
Reading & signing
Fundraiser for Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary
Malaprops Bookstore

 

Brevard, NC
April 2, 2017
Reading & signing
Food Matters Market and Cafe

 

Brentwood, TN
April 4, 2017
Reading & signing
Brentwood Library

 

Jackson, MS
April 11, 2017
Reading & signing
Lemuria Books 

 

Birmingham, AL
April 17, 2017
Signing & Talk
Barnes & Noble

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Fairhope, AL
April 18, 2017
Author Luncheon (ticketed event)
Page & Palette Bookstore

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Metairie, LA
April 19, 2017
Reading & signing
Jefferson Parish Library

 

Bowling Green, KY
April 21 -22, 2017
Signing
Southern Kentucky Book Festival

 

Midlothian, VA
April 27, 2017
Reading & signing
The Little Bookshop

 

Sylva, NC
April 29, 2017
Reading & signing
City Lights Bookstore

 

Marietta, GA
May 6, 2017
Reading & signing with Milinda Joy
The Book Exchange

 

Nashville, TN
May 9, 2017
Reading & signing
Sisters in Crime

 

Columbia, TN
May 11, 2017
Reading & signing
Maury County Public Library

 

Greenville, SC
May 18, 2017
Joint reading and signing with Phillip Lewis
Fiction Addiction

 

New Orleans, LA
May 21, 2017
Reading & signing
Faulkner House Books 

 

Jefferson, TX
May 22, 2017
6:00 pm
Reception for Bren hosted by
the Pulpwood Queens of NE Texas
and Friends of the Jefferson Carnegie Library
Jefferson Carnegie Library

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Nacogdoches, TX
May 23, 2017
Reading & Signing
The Bosslight 

 

Tyler, TX
May 23, 2017
Reading & signing
Tyler Public Library 

 

Bullard, TX
May 24, 2017
Author Reception honoring Bren McClain
Dewberry Plantation

 

Terrell, TX
May 25, 2017
Reading & signing
Books and Crannies 
209 W. Moore Avenue
(972) 563-5481

 

Longview, TX
May 26, 2017
Reading & signing
Longview Public Library

 

Longview, TX
May 26, 2017
Reading & Signing
Books a Million

 

Tyler, TX
May 27, 2017
Reading & signing
Barnes & Noble 

 

Scranton, PA
June 2, 2017
Reading & signing
Fundraiser for Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel

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Philadelphia, PA
June 3, 2017
Reading & signing
Fundraiser for Indraloka Animal Sanctuary
The KIND Institute

 

Davidson, NC
June 10, 2017
Signing & talk
Main Street Books

 

Spartanburg, SC
June 19, 2017
In conversation with South Carolina author JC Sasser
Hub City Bookshop

 

Hartsville, SC
June 23 & 24, 2017
A Moveable Feast Literary Festival
Burry Bookstore

 

Corte Madera, CA
July 9, 2017
Reading & signing
Book Passage

 

Pawley’s Island, SC
July 28, 2017
Moveable Feast Luncheon
Café Piccolo

 

Pawley’s Island, SC
July 28, 2017
Reading & signing
Litchfield Books

 

Mayfield, KY
July 31, 2017
Reading & signing
Graves County Public Library

 

Nashville, TN
August 1, 2017
In conversation with JC Sasser, author of debut novel Gradle Bird
Parnassus Books

 

New Orleans, LA
September 14 – 17, 2017
Southeastern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA)

 

Sumter, SC
September 20, 2017
Talk, Reading & Signing
“The Forum”
Sunset Country Club

 

Florence, SC
September 21, 2017
Reading & signing
Doctors Bruce and Lee Foundation Library

 

Sumter, SC
September 22, 2017
Talk, Reading & Signing
Elephant Ear Gallery

 

Augusta, GA
September 23, 2107
Berry Literary Festival
Augusta University (Summerville Campus)

 

Savannah, GA
September 24, 2017
Reading & Signing
E. Shaver, Bookseller

 

Pittsboro, NC
September 30, 2017
Reading & Signing
McIntryre’s Books

 

Chattanooga, TN
October 7, 2017
Talk & Reading & Signing
Barnes & Noble Hamilton Place

 

Rock Hill, SC
October 8, 2017
Featured Reader for the South Carolina Writers Association
Arts Council of York County

 

Nashville, TN
October 13, 2107
Southern Festival of Books  
“The Days Are Long but the Years Are Short: Novels of Motherhood
Nashville Public Library Commons Room
Bren McClain, Anna Schachner, and Claire Cameron

 

Charlotte, NC
October 16, 2017
Bibilofeast Book and Author Dinner
Sponsored by the Women’s National Book Association

 

Tampa, FL
October 17, 2017
Inkwood Books

 

Beaufort, SC
Pat Conroy Literary Festival
October 19, 2017
Workshop: “Who Do You Listen To? Building a Successful Writing Partnership” with Bren McClain and JC Sasser

 

October 20, 2017
Panel Discussion: “Pat Conroy’s Story Rivers Books Novelists” with Bren McClain, Nicole Seitz, and Deno Trakas

 

Lexington, SC
October 23, 2017
Talk & signing
Lexington County Main Library 

 

Cincinnati, Ohio
October 28, 2017
Books by the Banks: Cincinnati Regional Book Festival

 

Marietta, GA

November 11, 2107
Talk & Signing with JC Sasser 
The Book Exchange 

 

Beaufort, SC
November 16, 2017
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Lunch with Authors Series

 

Bluffton, SC
November 16, 2017
“A Conversation with Pat Conroy’s Story River Books”
Featuring Cassandra King Conroy, Bren McClain, Ellen Malphrus, Bernie Schein, and Maggie Schein, moderated by Jonathan Haupt
Beaufort County Library — Bluffton Branch

 

Wake Forest, NC
November 18, 2017
Holiday Event: Book Talk & Signing
Page 158 Books

 

Anderson, SC
December 2, 2017
“Meet and Greet in My Hometown!”
McDowell’s Emporium

 

New Orleans, LA
December 8 – 10, 2017
Words & Music Festival

 

Nacogdoches, TX
January 11 – 14, 2018
The Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend

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Winston Salem, NC
February 11, 2018
Bookmarks Presents a Moveable Feast

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Sevierville, TN
February 24, 2018
Rose Glen Literary Festival
Sevierville Convention Center

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Boone, NC
February 24, 2018
Author Appearance, as part of TRIO
Foggy Pine Books

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Orangeburg, SC
March 6, 2018
Page Turner Author Luncheon
Orangeburg Country Club

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Fairhope, AL
March 11, 2018
Reading & Signing
Page and Palette

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Beaufort, SC
March 23, 2018
4:00 – 6:00 pm
Reading & Signing & Wine
NeverMore Books
702 Craven Street
(843) 812-9460

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Nashville, TN
April 5, 2018
5:30-7:00 pm
Featured Speaker at the Women’s National Book Association — Nashville Chapter
Jonathan’s Grill
3805 Green Hills Village Drive

 

Folly Beach, SC
April 11 and 15, 2018
Southern Sampler Artist Colony 
Please see the Southern Sampler website for information on locations, times, and pricing.

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Pittsboro, NC
April 14, 2018
Reading & Signing
11 am-12:30 pm
McIntryre’s Books 
220 Market Street, Fearrington Village
(919) 542.3030

 

Lexington, SC
April 28, 2018
Lexington County Public Library – Irmo Branch
6251 St. Andrews Road

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Fernandina Beach, FL
May 4, 2018
Talk, Reading & Signing
Story and Song Bookstore 
1430 Park Avenue

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Woodstock, GA
May 5, 2018
TRIO Live
Fox Tale Book Shoppe
105 E Main Street

 

Dickson, TN
May 7, 2018
Talk, Reading & Signing After Hours Event
Dickson County Public Library
206 Henslee Drive

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Clarksville, TN
June 1 and 2, 2018
Speaking & Signing
“I Am a 27-Year-Overnight-Success: Doing What It Takes for As Long As It Takes” and
“Writing the Novel — Your Only Job: Make Us Care”
Clarksville Writers Conference 
Austin Peay State University

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Asheville, NC
June 9, 2018
Teaching “Novel Writing: Making Readers Care”
Asheville Writers Workshop 
387 Beaucatcher Rd.

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Belton, SC
June 9, 2018
“One Good Mama Bone” Dinner Club
Grits & Groceries
2440 Due West Highway

 

Charleston, SC
June 30, 2018
South Carolina Writers Association
Lowcountry Writers Conference
Leading a workshop on Character Development:
“In Tiny Cracks”
Circular Congregational Church

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Nashville, TN
August 20, 2018
TRIO Live
Parnassus Books 

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Nashville, TN
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Southern Festival of Books 
“Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy”
Bren joining Sonny Brewer, Cynthia and Cliff Graubart

 

Beaufort, SC
Friday, November 2 -3, 2018
Pat Conroy Literary Festival 2018
November 2
“Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy”

 

November 3
“Tiny Cracks: Writing for Character Development”
USC Beaufort Center for the Arts

 

Baton Rouge, LA
November 10, 2018
Louisiana Book Festival  

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Anderson, SC
December 1, 2018
Story Lines Author Fair
Anderson County Main Library 

 

Jefferson, TX
January 18-19, 2019
Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend

 

Oxford, MS
February 14, 2019
Thacker Mountain Radio Hour 
Off Square Books

 

Punta Gorda, Florida

March 5, 2019
Copperfish Books
Bren with Leah Weiss, author of If the Creek Don’t Rise 

 

Sanibel Island, FL
March 6, 2019
Macintosh Books + Paper
Bren with Leah Weiss, author of If the Creek Don’t Rise 

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St. Matthews, SC
March 19, 2019
Keynote for Friends of the Library Annual Meeting
Calhoun County Library

 

Wilmington, NC
March 21, 2019
Two Sisters Bookery

 

Columbia, SC
March 23, 2019
10:00 am — In Conversation with Dorothy Allison
2:00 pm — Prince of Scribes Panel
Richland County Main Library

 

Summerville, SC
May 2, 2019
“A Celebration of Motherhood”
Main Street Reads

 

Knoxville, TN
May 14, 2019
“Writers at Work” with Caitlin Hamilton Summie
Union Avenue Books

 

Clarksville, TN
June 6-7, 2019
Clarksville Writers Conference

 

Jackson, MS
August 17, 2019
Mississippi Book Festival 

 

Spartanburg, SC
September 13-15, 2019
Southeastern Independent Booksellers Association

 

Camden, SC
September 19, 2019
5:30-7:00 pm
Books on Broad
Reading & Signing
944 Broad Street
803-713-READ

 

Paris, France
October 7, 2019
7:00 pm
Picabo River Book Club
At Café Relais Odéon
132 bd. Saint-Germain
With interpreter Marguerite Capelle

 

Bordeaux, France
October 10, 2019
In the evening (time to be confirmed)
Bordeaux-USA organization for a book club presentation followed by a more casual meeting.
38 Allée d’Orléans

 

Bordeaux, France
October 11, 2019
In the evening (time to be confirmed)
Meeting at bookshop Le Petit Chaperon Rouge
356 av. Thiers

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Ft. Knox, KY
October 17, 2019
6:00-7:30 pm
Barr Memorial Library
In conversation with Kim Michele Richardson
and Leah Weiss

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Bamberg, SC
February 14, 2020
4 PM
Talk, Book Discussion & Signing
Bamberg County Public Library
3156 Railroad Avenue

 

Elizabethtown, KY
February 22, 2020
High Noon
Talk, Book Discussion & Signing
Barnes & Noble 
Mall Park Center
1980 N Dixie Hwy

 

Beaufort, SC
March 6 – 8, 2020
Anchorage Writers Retreat Weekend
Leading a class on “Transforming What Really Happened”

 

Johnsonville, SC
March 10, 2020
10 AM
Talk, Book Discussion & Signing
Johnsonville Public Library
242 S. Georgetown Highway

 

Topsail Beach, NC
March 14, 2020
High Noon
2020 Annual Feast of Authors Luncheon
Quarter Moon Books & Gifts
708 S Anderson Blvd

 

Sparta, NC
September 24, 2020
4:00-5:00 PM
“Walk-Thru” book signing
Alleghany Visitors Center

 

6:00 PM
Reception and featured speaker
Horizon Bistro 
38 S. Main Street

 

Anderson, SC
Virtual Event
Talk with the Foothills Writers Guild
Anderson Arts Center

 

Newnan, GA
December 17, 2020
Hometown Novel Nights with the Newnan Carnegie Library
A Zoom Event with Kathy Menos Penn and Chellie Phillips

 

Beaufort, SC
January 27, 2021
Pat Conroy Literary Center and Pat Conroy Literary Festival
Virtual Facebook Event “In Conversation with Jon Sealy”

 

Atlanta, GA
April 3, 2021
1:30-4:00 pm
“Deepen the River: The Key to Revision”
Atlanta Writers Club Online Workshop for AWC Members

 

Lexington, SC
July 29, 2021
6:30-7:30 pm
Book Talk and Q & A
Lexington County Library