On Tuesday November 15, 2011, in the VCU Commonwealth Ballroom, day 1 of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Festival kicked off with an evening celebrating the novel, writing, reading, and building a career as an author. This two-day festival is a special event recognizing the tenth anniversary of the Award.
The keynote talk was given by NPR book critic and novelist Alan Cheuse, who spoke on “First and Last Novels: Rumblings About Writing and Publishing in the 21st Century.” In his talk, we gained an appreciation for James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, we heard about the struggles in getting that first novel published (yes, editors sometimes lose manuscripts in liquor stores), and we were reminded of the importance of writing quality in the tempest of the modern publishing world.
After Cheuse’s talk, VCU professor, novelist, and Cabell First Novelist Award co-founder Tom de Haven moderated a panel including Alan Cheuse and previous Cabell First Novelist winners Michael Byers, Maribeth Fischer, and Victor Lodato.
The theme of the panel was “Building a Career After Winning an Award,” and de Haven led the discussion by the panelists on what happens after that first novel is published. We heard insights and experiences about agents, publishing, writing that second novel, voice and writing styles across multiple novels, and author branding. Questions from the audience were also invited.
After the panel, there was a reception and author signing.
Wednesday November 16, 2011 is day 2 of the festival, where the 2011 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award Winner, David Gordon, will be celebrated.
For more information:
- About the Cabell First Novelist Festival and award
- David Gordon wins 2011 Cabell First Novelist Award in StyleWeekly
- A Decade of Firsts in VirginiaLiving
- The Big 10 in RichmondMagazine