
Great Smokies Writing Program Founders' Keynote
An evening of literary readings and onstage conversation with program founders Richard Chess and Tommy Hays, reflecting on new books, the writer’s life, and the origins of the Great Smokies Writing Program. Refreshments served; ticket proceeds support the program.
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An evening of literary readings and onstage conversation with Great Smokies Writing Program co-founders Richard Chess and Tommy Hays, reflecting on newly released books and the day-to-day realities of the writer’s life at a campus student union.

An evening of literary readings and onstage conversation with Great Smokies Writing Program co-founders Richard Chess and Tommy Hays, reflecting on newly released books and the day-to-day realities of the writer’s life at a campus student union.
An evening of literary readings and onstage conversation with Great Smokies Writing Program co-founders Richard Chess and Tommy Hays, reflecting on newly released books and the day-to-day realities of the writer’s life at a campus student union.

Hands-on memoir writing session built around personal storytelling, memory prompts, and craft techniques for shaping lived experience into scenes and narrative arcs. Supportive, community-focused workshop in an intimate listening-room setting.

Hands-on memoir writing session built around personal storytelling, memory prompts, and craft techniques for shaping lived experience into scenes and narrative arcs. Supportive, community-focused workshop in an intimate listening-room setting.
Hands-on memoir writing session built around personal storytelling, memory prompts, and craft techniques for shaping lived experience into scenes and narrative arcs. Supportive, community-focused workshop in an intimate listening-room setting.

A deep dive into Southern Appalachian fish species, covering classification, habitats, life cycles, and identifying features. Ideal for nature lovers wanting practical ecology knowledge about mountain-region waterways and freshwater biodiversity.

A deep dive into Southern Appalachian fish species, covering classification, habitats, life cycles, and identifying features. Ideal for nature lovers wanting practical ecology knowledge about mountain-region waterways and freshwater biodiversity.
A deep dive into Southern Appalachian fish species, covering classification, habitats, life cycles, and identifying features. Ideal for nature lovers wanting practical ecology knowledge about mountain-region waterways and freshwater biodiversity.

An evening talk with canopy researcher Dr. Margaret Lowman (CanopyMeg) exploring forest treetops, biodiversity, and the science of studying life high above the ground. Expect conservation themes, field stories, and Q and A discussion.

An evening talk with canopy researcher Dr. Margaret Lowman (CanopyMeg) exploring forest treetops, biodiversity, and the science of studying life high above the ground. Expect conservation themes, field stories, and Q and A discussion.
An evening talk with canopy researcher Dr. Margaret Lowman (CanopyMeg) exploring forest treetops, biodiversity, and the science of studying life high above the ground. Expect conservation themes, field stories, and Q and A discussion.

A one hour behind the scenes walk through of Transylvania County Library with staff sharing hidden services, insider tips, and how to use local resources. Welcoming orientation for newcomers and longtime library regulars alike.

A one hour behind the scenes walk through of Transylvania County Library with staff sharing hidden services, insider tips, and how to use local resources. Welcoming orientation for newcomers and longtime library regulars alike.
A one hour behind the scenes walk through of Transylvania County Library with staff sharing hidden services, insider tips, and how to use local resources. Welcoming orientation for newcomers and longtime library regulars alike.

Evening stage programs celebrate Southern Appalachian heritage with bluegrass drive, hand claps and toe tapping dance sets, and century old ballads. Storytellers and tradition bearers share regional history in a festival style showcase.

Evening stage programs celebrate Southern Appalachian heritage with bluegrass drive, hand claps and toe tapping dance sets, and century old ballads. Storytellers and tradition bearers share regional history in a festival style showcase.
Evening stage programs celebrate Southern Appalachian heritage with bluegrass drive, hand claps and toe tapping dance sets, and century old ballads. Storytellers and tradition bearers share regional history in a festival style showcase.

Guided walking tour through Swannanoa Valley’s historic estates, sidewalks, and cemeteries, led by local historians with deep regional knowledge. A mid-day, museum-hosted deep dive into Western NC heritage and neighborhood stories.

Guided walking tour through Swannanoa Valley’s historic estates, sidewalks, and cemeteries, led by local historians with deep regional knowledge. A mid-day, museum-hosted deep dive into Western NC heritage and neighborhood stories.
Guided walking tour through Swannanoa Valley’s historic estates, sidewalks, and cemeteries, led by local historians with deep regional knowledge. A mid-day, museum-hosted deep dive into Western NC heritage and neighborhood stories.

A one hour behind the scenes walk through with library staff, revealing hidden services, collections, and how to use local resources at Transylvania County Library. Ideal for newcomers and longtime readers looking for insider tips.

A one hour behind the scenes walk through with library staff, revealing hidden services, collections, and how to use local resources at Transylvania County Library. Ideal for newcomers and longtime readers looking for insider tips.
A one hour behind the scenes walk through with library staff, revealing hidden services, collections, and how to use local resources at Transylvania County Library. Ideal for newcomers and longtime readers looking for insider tips.

Monthly writing workshop and discussion circle welcoming all genres, with peer critique, idea sharing, and mutual encouragement. A community-centered meetup for writers to build habits, get feedback, and connect locally.

Monthly writing workshop and discussion circle welcoming all genres, with peer critique, idea sharing, and mutual encouragement. A community-centered meetup for writers to build habits, get feedback, and connect locally.
Monthly writing workshop and discussion circle welcoming all genres, with peer critique, idea sharing, and mutual encouragement. A community-centered meetup for writers to build habits, get feedback, and connect locally.

A quiet, small-group gathering centered on thoughtful reflection and mindful conversation during uncertain times. Expect a calm, supportive atmosphere oriented toward connection, listening, and shared perspective.

A quiet, small-group gathering centered on thoughtful reflection and mindful conversation during uncertain times. Expect a calm, supportive atmosphere oriented toward connection, listening, and shared perspective.
A quiet, small-group gathering centered on thoughtful reflection and mindful conversation during uncertain times. Expect a calm, supportive atmosphere oriented toward connection, listening, and shared perspective.

Guided walking tour through the Swannanoa Valley’s historic estates, sidewalks, and cemeteries, led by local historians sharing deep regional stories. A daytime heritage stroll designed for WNC residents to connect with place and past.

Guided walking tour through the Swannanoa Valley’s historic estates, sidewalks, and cemeteries, led by local historians sharing deep regional stories. A daytime heritage stroll designed for WNC residents to connect with place and past.
Guided walking tour through the Swannanoa Valley’s historic estates, sidewalks, and cemeteries, led by local historians sharing deep regional stories. A daytime heritage stroll designed for WNC residents to connect with place and past.

Quiet, focused group writing sprints in a cozy coffeeshop, with everyone working on their own projects side by side. Brief social time before and after makes it easy to meet local writers without critique or workshop pressure.

Quiet, focused group writing sprints in a cozy coffeeshop, with everyone working on their own projects side by side. Brief social time before and after makes it easy to meet local writers without critique or workshop pressure.
Quiet, focused group writing sprints in a cozy coffeeshop, with everyone working on their own projects side by side. Brief social time before and after makes it easy to meet local writers without critique or workshop pressure.

An evening justice forum and public talk with Brian Goldstein in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, centered on civic engagement and community dialogue. Expect a speaker-led program with a large-audience lecture format at Harrah's Cherokee Center.

An evening justice forum and public talk with Brian Goldstein in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, centered on civic engagement and community dialogue. Expect a speaker-led program with a large-audience lecture format at Harrah's Cherokee Center.
An evening justice forum and public talk with Brian Goldstein in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, centered on civic engagement and community dialogue. Expect a speaker-led program with a large-audience lecture format at Harrah's Cherokee Center.

Quiet, timed writing sprints in a cafe setting with quick round robin introductions before settling into focused solo work. Built for all experience levels, with optional social connection and accountability among local writers.

Quiet, timed writing sprints in a cafe setting with quick round robin introductions before settling into focused solo work. Built for all experience levels, with optional social connection and accountability among local writers.
Quiet, timed writing sprints in a cafe setting with quick round robin introductions before settling into focused solo work. Built for all experience levels, with optional social connection and accountability among local writers.

A community discussion on how everyday choices can catalyze social change, reflecting on grassroots movements that began small and grew into lasting progress. Expect reflective conversation about power, responsibility, and practical action steps.

A community discussion on how everyday choices can catalyze social change, reflecting on grassroots movements that began small and grew into lasting progress. Expect reflective conversation about power, responsibility, and practical action steps.
A community discussion on how everyday choices can catalyze social change, reflecting on grassroots movements that began small and grew into lasting progress. Expect reflective conversation about power, responsibility, and practical action steps.

A late-evening study hall on creative meandering and how wandering attention can spark better ideas. Set in a working distillery, expect a conversational mini-lecture with guided reflection and optional craft cocktails.

A late-evening study hall on creative meandering and how wandering attention can spark better ideas. Set in a working distillery, expect a conversational mini-lecture with guided reflection and optional craft cocktails.
A late-evening study hall on creative meandering and how wandering attention can spark better ideas. Set in a working distillery, expect a conversational mini-lecture with guided reflection and optional craft cocktails.

An evening history walk tracing Biltmore Village’s development beyond the estate, with stories of early residents, industry, and neighborhood change. Expect a guided route highlighting architectural landmarks and local heritage around the Cathedral of All Souls.

An evening history walk tracing Biltmore Village’s development beyond the estate, with stories of early residents, industry, and neighborhood change. Expect a guided route highlighting architectural landmarks and local heritage around the Cathedral of All Souls.
An evening history walk tracing Biltmore Village’s development beyond the estate, with stories of early residents, industry, and neighborhood change. Expect a guided route highlighting architectural landmarks and local heritage around the Cathedral of All Souls.

Moonlit night hike through Linville’s mountain forest culminating in a crackling bonfire for storytelling, stargazing, and chances to hear owls and other nocturnal wildlife during a guided evening walk.

Moonlit night hike through Linville’s mountain forest culminating in a crackling bonfire for storytelling, stargazing, and chances to hear owls and other nocturnal wildlife during a guided evening walk.
Moonlit night hike through Linville’s mountain forest culminating in a crackling bonfire for storytelling, stargazing, and chances to hear owls and other nocturnal wildlife during a guided evening walk.

Supportive Spanish speaking practice with guided discussion prompts and icebreaker games to build comprehension and confidence. Designed for beginner to intermediate learners in a friendly public library group setting.

Supportive Spanish speaking practice with guided discussion prompts and icebreaker games to build comprehension and confidence. Designed for beginner to intermediate learners in a friendly public library group setting.
Supportive Spanish speaking practice with guided discussion prompts and icebreaker games to build comprehension and confidence. Designed for beginner to intermediate learners in a friendly public library group setting.

Monthly evening salon digs into creativity roadblocks through guided discussion and prompts, with a chance to share works in progress. September’s “Feeding the Muse” session blends narrative arts, peer feedback, and creative momentum in an intimate parlor setting.

Monthly evening salon digs into creativity roadblocks through guided discussion and prompts, with a chance to share works in progress. September’s “Feeding the Muse” session blends narrative arts, peer feedback, and creative momentum in an intimate parlor setting.
Monthly evening salon digs into creativity roadblocks through guided discussion and prompts, with a chance to share works in progress. September’s “Feeding the Muse” session blends narrative arts, peer feedback, and creative momentum in an intimate parlor setting.