May 12, 2026
Looking Glass Rock Writers’ Conference faculty members poet Victoria Chang and essayist Leslie Jamison will give public readings of their work at Brevard College’s Porter Center on Friday, May 15, at 7:30 pm. Novelist David Joy will read from his work in the Rogow Room of the Transylvania County Library on Saturday, May 16, at 7:30 pm.
The Looking Glass Rock Writers’ Conference, held annually at Brevard College, offers a unique creative experience for writers to explore the theme “A Sense of Place.” Conference participants were selected based on applications submitted last fall and work closely with published authors to hone their craft.
Poetry workshop leader Victoria Chang is an award-winning poet whose work is known for pushing boundaries while remaining so intimate and accessible it has earned her a reputation as one of the most distinctive and powerful voices in contemporary American literature.
Nonfiction workshop leader Leslie Jamison is a gifted writer whose work explores the strengths and limits of our shared humanity. Her writing has been called at once “profound” and “intellectual” and then “poetic” and “philosophical.”
Fiction workshop leader David Joy is a critically acclaimed author known for his raw, unflinching portrayals of life in rural Appalachia.
Both events are free and open to the public. Highland Books will be on-site with books for sale, and the authors will be available to sign copies after their presentations.
Since 2016, the annual Looking Glass Rock Writers’ Conference has brought writers to Brevard to refine craft, share stories, and be part of a vibrant literary community. Hosted by the Transylvania County Library Foundation and Brevard College at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the conference features small immersive workshops with renowned visiting faculty and community readings.
For more information on the conference, visit www.lgrwc.org.