‘The best lineup ever:’ Oxford Conference for the Book enchants UM and Oxford
Oxford town and the historic campus of the University of Mississippi (UM) were the proud hosts of the annual Oxford Conference for the Book from April 3-6, 2024. The literary event, one of Oxford’s most anticipated, drew a gathering of esteemed authors, book enthusiasts, students, and locals.
A celebration of literature begins
The conference kicked off on April 2, with a “prologue” event at Off Square Books. Here, UM faculty member Sheila Sundar delighted her audience with readings from her recently published novel, “Habitations.” Following the readings, Sundar went on to discuss her creative journey and answer questions from eager listeners.
Lighting a lamp on Mississippi’s past
In an effort to acknowledge and address UM’s history of racial disparity, Don Guillory, a UM doctoral candidate, led a tour revolving around the university’s history of enslavement on April 3. This special event, known as the UM Campus Slavery Research Group Tour, enlightens attendees about the significant yet dark history intertwined with the university’s foundational narrative.
Oxford Conference for the Book Authors’ Party
Celebrating the conference and its participants, the first main event on the conference calendar was the Oxford Conference for the Book Authors’ Party. The Friends of the Library alongside the Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing hosted this occasion, honoring the authors set to participate in the prestigious conference.
The Best Lineup ever: Panel discussions and keynotes
The first panel discussion of the conference commenced on April 4. The authors of “Sleeping with the Ancestors,” Joseph McGill Jr., and Herb Frazier were engaged in an insightful conversation by Jodi Skipper, UM Associate Professor of Anthropology. The discussion revolved around the authors’ new book, which documents the Slave Dwelling Project. This project involves McGill spending nights in the enslaved people’s historic homes across the United States.
Throughout the conference, keynote addresses were delivered by numerous authors like Nana Kwame, Adjei-Brenyah, José Olivarez, Heather Cox Richardson, January O’Neil, and Téa Obreht. On Friday, renowned author Andre Dubus III gave an inspiring keynote address. Sharing personal anecdotes and offering advice to budding writers in the audience, Dubus’s share about his life journey from violence towards writing was applauded and appreciated by the crowd.
Panel discussions, celebrations, and acknowledgments
The conference undertook panel discussions, Open Mic Night, and readings by various authors such as Kaveh Akbar from his new book, “Martyr!” Joined with the Southern Literary Festival, it was an occasion to bring undergraduate writers and literary enthusiasts together.
On the concluding day, the conference proudly acknowledged the Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing winners at Off Square Books with a special event. This was followed by the “postscript” event, Noir at the Bar, a gathering of crime writers and musicians, marking the triumphant close of the Oxford Conference for the Book 2024.
