SoLit will host the fundraiser, Club Lit, on November 17 at the Chattanooga Whiskey Hall at 6:00 p.m. New York Times bestselling author Kevin Wilson will be the highlight of the event as he shares his latest novel, Now is Not the Time to Panic, which is set to be released on November 8, as well as interact with guests and sign books. The event, presented by First Horizon Bank, will offer a fun evening of live music, specialty drinks, silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight and can be purchased at www.solitchatt.org/clublit2022.
The Local Distinguished Author Award will also be given to one of our most accomplished local authors during the event. All ticket proceeds will fund SoLit and its literary programs such as literary festivals, student writing competitions, outreach to underserved communities, and more. SoLit would also like to thank CHI Memorial Hospital, Evans Harrison Hackett PLLC, Betsy Gibson at Raymond James Financial, Inc., and Kumquat for sponsoring our event.
About Kevin Wilson – From Sewanee, Tennessee, Kevin Wilson is an associate English professor at the University of the South as well as author of three other novels and two short story collections, all of which have been subject to acclaim and awards throughout his writing career. His 2011 novel, The Family Fang, is an acclaimed New York Times bestselling novel that was adapted into a movie of the same name in 2015. His 2019 novel, Nothing to See Here, is his second New York Times bestselling novel as well as a Read with Jenna book club selection. His short story collections Tunneling to the Center of the Earth and Baby, You’re Gonna Be Mine received an Alex Award from the American Library Association and the Shirley Jackson Award, respectively. His work has appeared in several publications such as The Cincinnati Review, One Story, Tin House, and Ploughshares.
About Now is Not the Time to Panic – Kevin’s latest novel is scheduled to be released on November 8 and has been named as A Most Anticipated Book of Fall by the Associated Press, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today. The novel follows the story of the sixteen-year-old aspiring writer, offbeat loner, and indifferent student, Frankie Budge, as she’s determined to make it through yet another sad summer in Coalfield, Tennessee. She meets Zeke, a talented artist who’s recently moved into his grandmother’s house and is just as much of an awkward loner as Frankie. Romantic and creative sparks fly and the two collaborate on a poster with an enigmatic, unforgettable phrase to anyone who sees it: “The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us.” The posters appear everywhere around Coalfield and rumors spread around to who could’ve made them. Satanists? Kidnappers? The quiet town community suddenly erupts with panic and Frankie and Zeke must decide if their art is worth the risk, and if their relationship can survive the circumstance.
About SoLit – Founded in 1952, SoLit has evolved into a literary arts hub for Chattanooga. Previously known as Southern Lit Alliance, the mission is to deliver literary arts experiences that engage young people and adults in a life-long love of reading, writing, and community conversation. Each year, SoLit reaches 6,000 children and adults with programs such as literature festivals, writing workshops, book therapy groups, writing contests for children and outreach to jails and youth in underserved communities. We see literature has the incomparable power to inspire, connect, and uplift, but additionally, the benefits of reading literature are far-reaching and include improved critical thinking skills, empathy for others, vocabulary, writing ability, imagination, and cultural literacy for all ages. SoLit shares stories that matter. For more information, go to southernlitalliance.org.