The 2006 festival theme was "CELEBRATING NEW WORKS". It featured sixteen award-winning authors from California, Illinois, Florida, and several Southern states.

Keynote speaker was internationally known best-selling author, Susan Vreeland, a two-time winner of the Theodore Geisel Award. Ms. Vreeland is known for historical fiction based on art-related themes and will conduct a writer's seminar, perform readings from her books, and discuss her book Girl in Hyacinth Blue and show its accompanying movie, Brush with Fate.

Other events of the weekend included breakfast with the author events, a literary and songwriters' extravaganza, a children's brunch and children's events, a solo play by The Motherlode Stage Company from Northern California, author readings throughout the town square, a wine reception "Southern History and Appalachia in Literature", free book appraisals, book sales by Humpus Bumpus books, a Scholastic Book Fair, writers‚ seminars, a poetry reading and open mic poetry event, a dinner theater event, and "Haunted Holly Theatre: A Spook-tacular Event", hosted by Dahlonega Haunts author Amy Blackmarr.

Many events were free of charge. Ticketed events went on sale January 20. For Visitor's information on the festival or to purchase tickets, please contact The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce at 706-864-3711 or 800-231-5543. Headquarters and Sponsor: The Buisson Arts Center; Print Sponsor: Georgia Mountain Graphics & Printing; Bookseller: Humpus Bumpus Books; Presented by THE DAHLONEGA ARTS COUNCIL.To become a sponsor, volunteer, or presenter, please contact Brian Jay Corrigan, President and Co-Founder of the Dahlonega Literary Festival by email.

The 2nd Annual Dahlonega Literary Festival was held President's Day Weekend, 2005, with a great deal of success. Over 85 authors and presenters did readings, booksignings and presentations throughout the historic town square's local businesses. Among the authors were best-sellers, Georgia Author of the Year, and a Pulitzer Prize winner. Other events included a literary and songwriter's extravaganza, a poetry serenade, a children's brunch with literary characters, breakfasts with noted authors, a Scholastic Book Sale with Clifford the Big Red Dog, and a dinner theater event.

The 1st Annual Dahlonega Literary Festival was held President's Day Weekend, 2004. Over 40 authors conducted book signings, readings, and seminars throughout the historic town square. Other events included a Scholastic Book Fair for children with Clifford the Big Red Dog, a kick-off dinner, and Gone with the Wind themed events. The 2004 keynote speaker, Fred Crane, original actor from the 1939 production of Gone with the Wind, delighted the crowds. Click to see photos from the 2004 Festival.

HISTORY

Begun in 2004 by Kate Quigley McElliott, the Dahlonega Literary Festival celebrates books, writers, literacy, storytelling, and literary performance art.

Late in December, 2003, Kate called together a group of interested community and university people to begin The Dahlonega Literary Festival. From this group emerged the first DLF committee:
Kate Quigley McElliott, President, Founder
Brian Jay Corrigan, Vice President, Co-founder
Dianne Quigley, Secretary
Sharon Baccek, Treasurer
Tim Quigley, Dana LaChance, Steven Brehe, B.J. Robinson, Judson Wright

The 2007 Dahlonega Literary Festival Committee:

Brian Jay Corrigan, President & Co-Founder, Author of THE POET OF LOCH NESS (2005), Professor of Renaissance literature at North Georgia College and State University, and a world-known expert in Shakespeare (has delivered lectures at the Shakespeare Association of America, the International Shakespeare Conference, and at the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon). Wife Damaris, teaches as well and is the inspiration for his recent acclaimed novel.

Dianne Quigley, Receptions Committee, A "Gold Award" winner for community service in Lumpkin County, Dianne has also served on the Holly Theatre Board of Directors, founded and served on the committee for The Bear on the Square Festival, and has volunteered in town in numerous other ways. Dianne and husband Tim are the original owners of Quigley's Rare Books and are currently working very hard on the opening of their new B&B to open in 2006.

Miriam Austin, Public Relations Committee

Sharon Bacek, Sponsorship/Finances and Accomodations Committees, Owner of Lily Creek Lodge Bed and Breakfast and volunteer for numerous organizations in town, Sharon serves on the Board of Directors for The Holly Theatre and has also been very involved at The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce. Sharon also coordinates lodging inquiries for visitors and presenters for the Dahlonega Literary Festival. Husband, Don, is a lawyer and assists in the book review process.

Kate Quigley McElliott, Children's Events Committee, Previous owner of Quigley's Rare Books, owner of Georgia Mountain Graphics & Printing, early childhood music and theater teacher for Kindermusik and The Holly Theatre, and mother of three children, Mitchell (5), Fiona (3), and Luke (1). Graphic designer husband of nine years, Don, donates typsettting and design for the Dahlonega Literary Festival.

Barbara and Jeff Weltzien, Venues Committee,

Thomas Lloyd, Library Liaison Committee,

Tim Quigley, Literary Extravaganza, President of the Dahlonega Arts Council, past Chairman of the Board for the Holly Theatre, and "Gold Award" winner for community service with wife Dianne. Tim also is an author, songwriter, playright, actor, stage director, soon to be B&B owner, and works full time for Solvay Advanced Polymers in Alpharetta.

Special Thanks to the 2006 Dahlonega Literary Festival Advisory Committee:

Sandee McGlaun (professor of English/writer/actress), Amy Blackmarr (author, doctorate in English), Jennifer Patrick (Author, professor at UGA) , Lyn Hopper (Director of Chestatee Regional Library), and Charlotte Robertson (Center for the Book liason).

Special Thanks to our Venues, The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce, to all volunteers, our sponsors, and the community for their support.