Authors
Elizabeth Boatwright Coker
At age 14, Elizabeth Boatwright won the Charleston Poetry Societys
Skylark Award for her poem Noches. Born in 1909 in Darlington, she
graduated from Converse College and then met and married James Coker,
president of Sonoco Products in Hartsville. She wrote her first book, Daughter of Strangers in 1950. Between 1952 and 1981, she wrote eight more
historical novels. She died in 1993 at age 100 and was at work on her
10th book.
Pat Conroy
Although born in Atlanta, South Carolina claims bestselling author, Pat Conroy, as a native son. Conroy has written several novels based on his life in the Lowcountry including, The Great Santini, The Water is Wide, Lords of Disciple and My Losing Season, The Prince of Tides and South of Broad. Several of his novels have been turned into movies. Conroy lives on Fripp Island.
James Dickey
James Dickey was born in Atlanta, but was a professor and writer in residence at USC's Columbia campus from 1968-1997. In 1969 he penned his best-selling novel Deliverance. He also wrote the screenplay for the book, which was made into a major motion picture and nominated for an Academy Award in 1972.
Dorothea Benton Frank
Born and raised on Sullivan's Island, Dorothea Benton Frank draws from her background of the lush and steamy Lowcountry as a frequent setting for her contemporary romance novels. Frank's "beach reads" Bulls Island, Pawleys Island, Isle of Palms, Plantation and Sullivan's Island have appeared on the New York Times "Best Selling Fiction" list.
DuBose Heyward
Heyward is best known for the folk opera Porgy and Bess, which was based on his novel Porgy. Born in Charleston in 1885, Heyward worked in insurance and real estate. When he achieved financial independence, be began his career as an author.
Josephine Humphries
Popular author Josephine Hunphreys was born in Charleston in 1945. After
graduating from Ashley Hall, she got a degree at Duke University and
also studied at Yale and the University of Texas. Most of her novels are
set in her native Lowcountry. Her book Rich In Love was made into a
movie with Albert Finney and Jill Clayburgh and shot in and around
Charleston.
Peggy Parish
Amelia Bedelia has delighted millions of children since she first
appeared in print in 1963. Her creator, author Peggy Parish was born in
Manning in 1927 and graduated from the University of South Carolina with
a degree in English. She began writing after moving to New York City
to teach third grade at a progressive experimental school. Before her
death in 1988, Parish wrote 11 Amelia Bedelia books. Her nephew kept the
popular character alive by steeping in to author new adventures for
Amelia.
Julia Peterkin
Peterkin's novel Scarlet Sister Mary won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928 and was made into a Broadway play in 1930. Born in 1880 in Laurens County, Peterkin's work was known for sympathetic portrayals of Blacks in the South.
Ron Rash
This Chester native has written three collections of poetry, three short
story collections and four novels. Ron Rashs family has lived in the
southern Appalachian Mountains since the 18th century, and the region is
the primary focus of his writing. He grew up in Boiling Springs, N.C.,
and graduated from Gardner-Webb University and Clemson University. He is
currently the Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Studies at
Western Carolina University.
Archibald Rutledge
Author, poet, hunter, gardener, philosopher and conservationist all describe Archibald Rutledge. He was born in 1883 at Hampton Plantation near Georgetown. George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette visited Hampton and Francis Marion his from the British there. After college, Rutledge taught school in Pennsylvania for 30 years before returning to live at Hampton. He was named South Carolinas poet Laureate in 1934 and authored many articles and books on hunting and wildlife. His inspirational book, Lifes Extras, so impressed Henry Ford that he gave a copy to each of his 25,000 employees. At his death he left Hampton Plantation to the State of South Carolina.
Novels Set In South Carolina
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
South of Broad by Pat Conroy
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
The Great Santini by Pat Conroy
The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
My Losing Season by Pat Conroy
The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy
Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
Plantation by Dorothea Benton Frank
Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Franks
Southern Fried Plus Six by William Price Fox
Edisto: a Novel by Padgett Powell
The Yemmessee: A Romance of Carolina by William Gilmore Simms
Bastard Out Of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow
Charleston by John Jakes
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Where The River Runs by Patti Callahan Henry
When The Light Breaks by Patti Callahan Henry
Sweetgrass by Mary Alice Monroe
The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe
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