The view looking north from U.S.1. at dawn.

Since its birth in 1983 the Key West Literary Seminar has been dedicated to the celebration of the written word and the support of American writers. Each January the Seminar explores a different literary theme through lectures, panel presentations, readings, informal gatherings, and discussions. The Seminar attracts a sophisticated international audience of readers and writers.

The Key West Literary Seminar is small and intimate: this is our delight, our charm, our joy, and the secret of our success. For us, small is beautiful is not just a slogan, it is a defining characteristic. Our on-site capacity of 375 is limited by our home, the San Carlos Institute, a stunningly beautiful 19th century auditorium (owned by the Government of Cuba) in the heart of Old Town, and by the limitations of Key West, a cultural paradise, but still a two-by-four-mile island. Key West has been one of America's most important literary gathering places since the nineteen-twenties. Ernest Hemingway was the first American writer to attain celebrity status when Life magazine documented his exploits on and off the island. Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost, John Hersey, James Merrill, John Malcolm Brinnin, and a host of other writers have since called Key West home.

Today Key West claims more writers per capita than any other city in America. Key West is America's tropical paradise. It is also America's premier literary destination. Visitors are attracted by the city's rich historical legacy, its glorious weather (the only city in America that has never seen frost or snow), and an anything-goes atmosphere that continues to inspire creative artists and writers.

For information about past seminars click here.

President: Lynn Kaufelt
Executive Director: Miles Frieden
2008 Program Chair: Robert Richardson
2009 Program Chair: Cynthia Crossen

Seminar Officers
Lynn Kaufelt, President
Bob Muens, Vice President
Mary Grusin, Secretary
Diane Shelby, Treasurer

Board of Directors
Judy Blume, Peyton Budinger, Miles Frieden, Judith Gaddis, James Gleick, Mary Grusin, Lynn Kaufelt, Nancy Klingener, Liz Lear, Susan Mesker, Bob Muens, Robert Richardson, Diane Shelby

Honorary Directors
Jimmy Buffett, Ross Claiborne, Annie Dillard, David Ethridge, Dan Gerber, Lynn Harding, Rust Hills, Rosemary Jones, David Kaufelt (Founder), Mariane Lancaster, Trude Lash, Alison Lurie, Kevin McCarthy, Thomas McGuane, Peg Murphree, Jane O'Reilly, Phyllis Rose, Frederick Ruffner, Robert Stone, Jean Trebbi, Richard Wilbur, Joy Williams, David Wolkowsky.

 

Staff
Alan Kelly-Hamm, Administrative Assistant
Arlo Haskell, Technical Director & New Media Editor

 

Website Design

Needham Fatica

Winter Administrative Office
718 Love Lane, Key West, FL 33040

Summer Administrative Office
55 Glade Lane, Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711

Telephone: (888) 293-9291
E-mail: mail@keywestliteraryseminar.org
For site-related issues: arlohaskell@gmail.com

The Key West Literary Seminar is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation, run by a board of directors. Much of the work is accomplished through volunteer effort. Many anonymous donations support the Seminar. The John Hersey Memorial Lecture is supported by private donation. The Dogwood Foundation and the Rodel Foundation of Key West provide substantial ongoing financial support. The Tourist Development Council of Monroe County provides financial assistance for advertising and publicity.

Registration for the 2009 Literary Seminar.