Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend
Winter: Premier Event
The Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe is an annual literary experience on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Held in January, the event is co-hosted by The Club at Wild Dunes at the world-class Wild Dunes Resort, in partnership with Buxton Books.
Mary Alice Monroe, the award winning and New York Times bestselling novelist and island resident, founded the event nearly twenty years ago with a simple goal that remains true today– to connect readers with notable writers in an intimate setting while raising money for literacy. What started in 2004 at the Wild Dunes Club with an attendance of fifty, later expanded to the Sweetgrass Conference Center for 250 people. Today the event has blossomed into a weekend-long literary experience held at the Osprey Ballroom that attracts over 500 readers to Isle of Palms.
The literary event is held over the three-day Martin Luther King holiday with the main event on Sunday featuring two or three headlining authors. Additional activities held over the weekend allow guests to choose smaller ticketed workshops, a brunch or luncheon, and outings.
2024 Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend Tickets
Most tickets are sold out for the 19th Annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe January 12-14, 2024 on Isle of Palms, South Carolina. This is the island’s biggest literary weekend experience of the year. Forbes Magazine calls this event one of “10 Reasons to Visit Charleston This Winter.”
Ticket holders will enjoy presentations from acclaimed authors including William Kent Krueger, Shelby Van Pelt, Stacy Willingham, and Mary Alice Monroe, each bringing their unique literary flair to the event.
REMAINING TICKETS AVAILABLE
While the main event at the Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe is sold out, two exclusive opportunities remain to partake in the island’s premier literary weekend of the year.
Be one of the lucky ones to celebrate the upcoming release of Stacy Willingham’s new thriller, Only if You’re Lucky. You’ll get your signed hardcover first! Ticket includes mimosas and a coffee bar in the fabulous Indigo Rooftop Restaurant and a signed first-edition hardcover copy of Only If You’re Lucky before the official release! This ticket is non-refundable.
The 19th annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend kicks off with a party featuring some of the Lowcountry’s coolest debut authors and their hot new books– Victoria Benton Frank (My Magnolia Summer), Kristen Ness (At Loggerheads), and Brittany Butler (The Syndicate Spy).
This is the perfect spot to enjoy a drink, catch a sunset and hang out with friends and authors. Complimentary light apps and cash bar. Books will be available for purchase by Buxton Books.
By securing your FREE ticket, you are RSVPing that you are attending, and you will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a prize! The winner must be there to claim the prize.
MEET THE HEADLINING AUTHORS
William Kent Krueger is the New York Times bestselling novelist of 24 novels. The Cork O’Conner mystery series has garnered numerous awards. His runaway bestselling stand-alone novels, including This Tender Land and Ordinary Grace also won multiple awards, including The Edgar Award for Best Novel; The Anthony Award for Best Novel; The Barry Award for Best Novel; and the Macavity Award for Best Mystery Novel. Krueger lives in Minnesota. His newest novel, The River We Remember, is one of the year’s most anticipated books and a featured title at this year’s event.
Shelby Van Pelt is the New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures, a wildly successful debut novel. Shelby has garnered many accolades including the Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick. It was also named a Best Book of Summer by the Chicago Tribune, The View, Southern Living, and USA Today. Van Pelt lives in the suburbs of Chicago. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a featured title at this year’s event.
Stacy Willingham is the New York Times bestselling author of three novels. Her debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark, was an instant national bestseller and was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery & Thriller and Best First Novel. A TV series adaptation is in the works. Stacy lives in Charleston. Her newest novel, Only If You’re Lucky, debuts January 16 and we have early copies at our event as a featured title.
Mary Alice Monroe is the award winning, New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels and children’s books. A longtime Isle of Palms resident and creator of the Wild Dunes Author Event, Mary Alice welcomes some of today’s most popular writers to the literary stage at Wild Dunes Resort and moderates the conversation.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2024 WINTER EVENT
NEW! Friday Jan 12th – KICK-OFF PARTY, “Cool local authors with hot new books” FREE EVENT AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
We’ve just added a FREE event to the literary weekend experience! Please join us on Friday, January 12th from 4-6pm at Islander 71 Fish House & Deck Bar.
We’re kicking of the 19th annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with some of the Lowcountry’s coolest debut authors and their hot new books– Victoria Benton Frank (My Magnolia Summer), Kristen Ness (At Loggerheads), and Brittany Butler (The Syndicate Spy). This is the perfect place to enjoy a drink, catch the sunset, and hang out with friends and authors. Complimentary light apps and cash bar. Books will be available for purchase by Buxton Books. Click here for your FREE RSVP and to be automatically entered into a raffle to win a prize! Winner must be there to claim the prize. Add this party to your calendar and invite your friends!
SATURDAY JAN 13th – LITERARY WORKSHOPS
The Wild Dunes Author Event with Mary Alice Monroe includes an exciting array of weekend workshops scheduled for Saturday, January 13th. Registration to these literary events is only available to guests who have purchased a ticket to the Sunday Main Event, which unlocks access to these additional experiences with our authors.
- 10:00 am Morning Mimosas Book Launch with Stacy Willingham – PURCHASE TICKETS
Enjoy mimosas and a coffee bar at the Indigo Room & Rooftop with Charleston’s acclaimed mystery novelist Stacy Willingham as we celebrate the upcoming launch of her new thriller Only If You’re Lucky. Guests will receive a signed first-edition hardcover before the official release! Enjoy a candid conversation about Willingham’s novels led by Buxton Books owner Polly Buxton. This is the perfect experience for book clubs! - 1:00 pm SOLD OUT Nature as a Muse: Excursion to Dewees Island with Shelby Van Pelt and Mary Alice Monroe
Guests will have a rare chance to experience life as an Islander on this remote and private barrier island. Meet at the Dewees Island marina to hop aboard the 12:00 ferry for a guided cruise with master naturalist Judy Fairchild. Once on island, we’ll travel past pristine marshes and forests on crushed shell roads to join the Dewees Island book club for a casual meet-n-greet and conversation, followed by a book signing. Bestselling novelists Shelby Van Pelt and Mary Alice Monroe will share their experiences being inspired by nature in their lives and their work. A pop-up bookshop will be on site. This event supports the Dewees Island Conservancy, which protects the fragile barrier island habitat so nature can thrive. Don’t miss this rare opportunity! THESE TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.
- 5:00 pm SOLD OUT Happy Hour and Mysteries with William Kent Krueger and Mary Alice Monroe.
Grab a drink and enjoy an up-close conversation with William Kent Krueger and Mary Alice Monroe, as they talk about Krueger’s popular bestselling Cork O’Conner mystery book series. Enjoy wine and cheese at the beautiful Indigo Room of Wild Dunes Resort. Guests will also receive a signed paperback copy of the featured books from Krueger’s mystery series. THESE TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.
Saturday events are only available to those who are Sunday Main Event ticket holders.
SUNDAY JANUARY 14TH
Sunday is the main event with two ticketing options. Guests will experience a 75-minute in-depth and lively author conversation moderated by Mary Alice Monroe. Together on stage, in an intimate setting, she’ll dive deep into their novels, their writing journeys, their personal lives, and their inspiration. A portion of the conversation will include questions from the audience.
Sunday’s experience will include a complimentary signature cocktail, appetizers, a coffee bar, and dessert for all to enjoy as you peruse a curated silent auction and the pop-up book shop and more. Doors open at 1 p.m. The conversation begins at 2 p.m.
TICKET OPTIONS
Guests who reserve their tickets to the Wild Dunes Author Event with Mary Alice Monroe unlock access to an array of additional Saturday offerings! We have two types of tickets available for purchase online.
- General Admission Ticket: $65.00 The general admission ticket includes general seating in the Osprey Ballroom at Sweetgrass Inn, a complimentary cocktail, coffee, and appetizers, plus one (1) autographed hardcover of the featured title of your choice. This ticket is a key to participate in all of the additional ticketed weekend events.
- VIP Ticket: $125.00 The VIP ticket includes an autographed hardcover of all three (3) featured titles, a Buxton Books tote bag, premiere seating in the front rows of the Osprey Ballroom at Sweetgrass Inn, and a fast pass to one author’s’ signing table immediately after the conversation. Ticket also includes a complimentary cocktail, coffee, and appetizers. This ticket is a key to participate in all of the additional ticketed weekend events. There is a limited number of VIP tickets available.
Winter Reflections: Celebrating Past Events
The 19th annual Wild Dunes Author Event, spearheaded by New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe, was a resounding success from January 12-14, 2024. This year’s event spotlighted exceptional authors including William Kent Krueger, acclaimed for his Cork O’Conner mystery series and his newest novel “The River We Remember”; Shelby Van Pelt, celebrated for her New York Times bestseller “Remarkably Bright Creatures”; and Stacy Willingham, known for her national bestseller “A Flicker in the Dark” and her latest novel “Only If You’re Lucky”.
The Wild Dunes Author Event commenced with a complimentary meet-up at Islander 71 Fish House & Deck Bar on January 12th, featuring local emerging authors Victoria Benton Frank, Kristen Ness, and Brittany Butler. The next day, ticket holders to the main Sunday event enjoyed exclusive literary workshops, starting with Stacy Willingham’s Morning Mimosas Book Launch, followed by an enlightening excursion to Dewees Island with Shelby Van Pelt and Mary Alice Monroe, benefiting the Dewees Island Conservancy. The day wrapped up with a Happy Hour session led by William Kent Krueger and Mary Alice Monroe. This weekend combined engaging discussions, unique author interactions, and support for local conservation efforts, offering a memorable experience for literature enthusiasts.
The 2023 Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe was a showcase of literary brilliance, highlighting the works of three distinguished authors. David Baldacci, renowned for his suspense and legal thrillers, marked his first visit to Charleston with his latest novel, “Long Shadows,” a New York Times #1 bestseller. Kathy Reichs, a neighbor and friend of the host, presented her instant NY Times bestseller, “Cold Cold Bones,” continuing her legacy of forensic thrillers and the famous Temperance Brennan novels, which inspired the TV series “Bones.” Lastly, Deborah Goodrich Royce, a former actress and award-winning author, featured her latest novel, “Reef Road.” Her multifaceted career, spanning from soap opera roles to literary series hosting, added a unique flair to the event. This gathering not only celebrated these authors’ latest works but also provided an intimate connection with their diverse and captivating storytelling.
The 18th annual Wild Dunes Author Series, hosted by New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe, was a captivating literary event. Held at the Sweetgrass Pavilion in Wild Dunes Resort on January 16, 2022, it featured a panel of celebrated writers: Patti Callahan Henry, Kristin Harmel, and Kristy Woodson Harvey, known collectively with Mary Alice Monroe as the “Fab Five.” Although Mary Kay Andrews couldn’t attend, the group’s shared foundation in the popular web series and podcast Friends & Fiction added a special allure. The highlight was an Author Conversation, engagingly moderated by Friends and Fiction Podcast Director Ron Block, where the authors delved into their backlist to discuss personal favorite novels in a fresh and insightful way. Guests enjoyed an immersive experience that included a meet-and-greet with the authors, a book signing hosted by Buxton Books, a unique silent auction, and delightful amenities like a signature cocktail and a selection of hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. This event was not just a celebration of books and authors, but a lively, intimate gathering for literary enthusiasts.
Wild Dunes Resort Hotel Reservations
Special Discounted rates for the wild dunes author event weekend!
That’s right! You heard us! The Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe includes an opportunity to treat yourself to stay on property at the world-class Wild Dunes Resort.
This is a special opportunity for friends, couples, and book clubs to gather at a luxury seaside resort to celebrate a shared love of books while attending literary events with your favorite authors! Call Wild Dunes Resort at 866-499-7122 to receive an exclusive promo code for your room rate.
Nestled on the northern tip of Isle of Palms, a lush barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt resort, occupies 1,600 acres of oceanfront paradise with a variety of accommodation options, including the AAA Four-Diamond Rated Boardwalk Inn, the Village at Wild Dunes, private condos, luxury home vacation rentals and its new 153-room Sweetgrass Inn opening in 2021.
Wild Dunes Resort, located just 30 minutes from the charm and grace of historic downtown Charleston, is the largest resort of its kind in the region with the addition of Sweetgrass Inn, offering groups of up to 650 people the chance to enjoy a Lowcountry getaway.
With year-round championship golf, nationally ranked tennis, award-winning recreation, spa services and restaurant options, Wild Dunes Resort has been distinguished by many publications and associations as a top destination for families, golfers, tennis lovers and meeting and event planners. Visit Wild Dunes Resort online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Opportunities to golf, swim, enjoy the spa, and of course walk the beach await you!
Our Literary Alliance
Our partnership with Buxton Books elevates the joy of reading and writing, creating a lively literary community. This collaboration, rooted in a mutual love for storytelling and cultural discovery, enriches our Wild Dunes Literary Series events. We are excited to join forces with them, bringing together authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts.
