Saints & Sinners Lit Fest Celebrates 15 in New Orleans!
Literary icon Dorothy Allison with Paul J. Willis, Executive Director of Saints & Sinners
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The Saints and Sinners LGBTQ Literary Conference is an intimate, annual program under the umbrella of the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. Every year in March, 200+ attendees converge on New Orleans to attend panels and events (including the infamous opening night Glitter with the Literati Welcome Party), go to readings with emerging writers as well as LGBTQ icons, and mingle at the carousel bar in the historic Hotel Monteleone, the host hotel.
To help celebrate Saints and Sinners’ 15th Anniversary, we chatted with the Executive Director, Paul J. Willis, about how the festival started, what we can expect this year, where it will be going in the future, AND a special, insider reveal on who will be inducted into the 2018 SAS Hall of Fame! |
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Hi Paul! Thanks for talking with us. We love Saints and Sinners and are especially happy to be able to do our part to sponsor the conference this year. First, we’d love to start with a brief history of the festival—who founded it and why?
The first Saints and Sinners Literary Festival took place in May of 2003. The event was designed as an innovative way to disseminate information about HIV/AIDS to the community. While also bringing the LGBTQ+ literary community together in celebration of the literary arts, which have long nurtured hope and inspiration, and have provided an avenue of understanding. The idea for SAS evolved out of a conversation between myself and my partner, author Greg Herren, and our good friend Jean Redmann—mystery writer extraordinare. Jean came up with the name “Saints and Sinners,” and connected me with the NO/AIDS Task Force, who became a fiscal agent for us to be able to apply for some initial grant funding to get things rolling. I had a template of how to layout the event from my time volunteering and working with the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival (TW/NOLF), and Greg had great direct contacts from past work he had done with the Lambda Literary Foundation. Over the years NO/AIDS expanded in size and scope, and I became Executive Director of the Tennessee Williams Festival in 2005 and it made sense to adapt SAS as a program of the TW/NOLF—and the focus of the Saints and Sinners LGBTQ event has expanded as well. While a great deal has changed nationally regarding gay rights since the first SAS event, we have now entered and era of tension and potential loss of hard-won rights, SAS remains focused on creating a space of acceptance. By fostering an environment where writers and publishers can network and discuss LGBT issues, SAS seeks to serve as inspiration for new writings that benefit not just the LGBT community, but the greater community at large. 
Edmund White at SAS in 2015
Are you planning anything special to celebrate Saints and Sinners’ 15th Anniversary?
First off, I’m very excited that we’ve made it to the 15th year. I think it is the longest running literary event of its kind, and I’m very appreciate of all the people that have supported this great and rewarding endeavor. Each year there is a core group of returning participants who have become great friends, and each year the program is infused with new writers and their exciting works. The energy, camaraderie, and new ideas that come out of each SAS gathering is addictive! We’re adding some new programming options that are especially helpful for new writers. Publicist Michele Karlsberg will be facilitating a workshop titled “Inquiring Minds” where she will discuss today’s market with strategies for getting the word out and creating more visibility for new authors. Bold Strokes Books will also be hosting a pitch session where authors can sign up for a one-on-one time slot for an opportunity to get their latest work into print. With support from our premiere sponsor, The John Burton Harter Foundation, we’re able to print our program in full color for the first time. In the spirit of the Foundation’s mission, we’re able to feature original artwork by a gay artist on both the cover of both our anthology (produced from our short fiction contest) and the SAS program—another first. We have a great new venue for our “Glitter with the Literati” welcome reception on Friday. We’ll be gathering at the historic Beauregard-Keyes Home. I’m sure between now and March 23rd there will be some more new and exciting additions to add to our attendee’s experience. I can’t wait to get this literary party started! [Editor's Note: the Beauregard-Keyes Home is the header photo of this page.] 
Kyan Douglas and Willis at SAS in 2016
Saints and Sinners is known for identifying strong emerging talent. In 2016, Alexander Chee received your Emerging Writer Award; he has now gone on to great success, including being asked to read for the National Book Award. Last year Matthew Griffin was a co-winner with his debut novel, HIDE, which was also awarded the 2017 Crook's Corner Book Prize, a Stonewall Honor Book, and was long-listed for the PEN/Bingham Prize for debut fiction.
Who are the authors being considered for your 2018 Emerging Writer Award and when is the award presented? We have had innovative developing writers every year at SAS. Starting in 2013 we were able to formally recognize emerging authors as part of our closing reception through the generous support of Rob Byrnes. Rob came up with the idea to offer a cash prize to acknowledge and support developing talent and to further substantiate the mission and goals of Saints and Sinners. We’re close to having our short list of finalists for 2018, but it has been tough to narrow the field to just four. We have a great list we’re considering that includes debut authors who have created an exceptional first work (like Matthew Griffin), as well as novelists who are starting to create a body of work that is truly ready to take off, ála Alexander Chee. You’ll have to wait a bit longer, but I can tell you that all of the finalists are exceptionally talented and they are creating works that educate, entertain, deeply impact their readers. Saints & Sinners is hands down one of the best places to go to revive a writer’s spirit. Imagine a gathering in which you can lean into conversations with some of the best writers and editors and agents in the country, all of them speaking frankly and passionately about the books, stories and people they love and hate and want most to record in some indelible way. Imagine a community that tells you truthfully what is happening with writing and publishing in the world you most want to reach. Imagine the flirting, the arguing, the teasing and praising and exchanging of not just vital information, but the whole spirit of queer arts and creating. Then imagine it all taking place on the sultry streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter... On closing night, select writers are inducted into the Saints and Sinners Hall of Fame. Some past inductees include Dorothy Allison, Nancy Garden, Jewelle Gomez, Ellen Hart, Greg Herren, Andrew Holleran, Fay Jacobs, G. Winston James, Michele Karlsberg, Lee Lynch, Jeff Mann, Stephen McCauley, Val McDermid, Mark Merlis, Felice Picano, Radclyffe, J.M. Redmann, Carol Seajay, Jack Sullivan, Patricia Nell Warren, and Edmund White.
How are these writers selected for consideration and who is being inducted this year? Our SAS Hall of Fame members are recognized for their dedication to LGBT literature. They exhibit their passion for our literary community through various avenues including writing, performing, promotion, publishing, editing, teaching, bookselling, and volunteerism. Through their work, they have all helped ensure that the written work from the LGBTQ community continues to have an outlet, and that people have access to books and plays that dispel stereotypes, alleviate isolation, and provide resources for personal wellness. We have an awesome 2018 class of honorees. The authors and playwrights to be inducted are unaware—so your readers are the first to know! Elana Dykewomon. The award-winning author of eight books foregrounding lesbian heroism, including the novels Riverfinger Women, Beyond the Pale, and Risk. Elana is also a long-time social justice activist, editor, and teacher. Judith Katz. The author of two novels: The Escape Artist, recently re-issued by Bywater Books, and Running Fiercely Toward a High Thin Sound, which won the 1992 Lambda Literary Award for best lesbian fiction. Moisés Kaufman. A Tony and Emmy nominated director and award-winning playwright. He is the founder of Tectonic Theater Project and is the author of Gross Indecency: The Tree Trials of Oscar Wilde, 33 Variations, and The Laramie Project. On September 22, 2016, he was the first Venezuelan awarded the National Medal of Arts in ceremony conducted by U.S. president Barack Obama. |
Martin Sherman. His plays have been performed in over sixty countries. They include Passing By, Bent, Messiah, When She Danced, Gently Down the Stream (some of which is set in New Orleans), and I’ll Be Seeing You, as well as the musical The Boy from Oz and two adaptations of novels: A Passage to India (E.M. Forster) and The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (Tennessee Williams). He has been nominated for two Tonys, two Oliviers, and two BAFTAs.
In addition to many people we've already mentioned, past participants have included Ann Bannon, Lucy Jane Bledsoe, Patrick Califia, Mark Doty, Katherine V. Forrest, Jim Grimsley, Tim Miller, Michael Nava, Achy Obejas, David Rosen, Carol Rosenfeld, Cecilia Tan, Justin Torres, and Jess Wells—among many others. Who are some of the highlighted authors presenting this year? For our SAS 15th anniversary program, we’re excited to welcome back Festival favorites and Hall of Fame members Jewelle Gomez, Andrew Holleran, Felice Picano, and Radclyffe. We also have a great line-up that includes authors at varying stages of their career participating on panels and readings, including (to name a few): Peter Gajdics. Peter is coming from Vancouver, Canada to discuss his first book, The Inheritance of Shame. His recently published memoir includes recounting six years spent in a bizarre form of conversion therapy that attempted to “cure” him of his homosexuality. Jaffe Cohen. Award-winning screenwriter (Feud, 2017), author, actor, and educator, Jaffe also has the distinction of being one of the first openly gay stand-up comedians on national television. Elizabeth F. Schwartz. She is a lawyer and same-sex marriage activist. Elizabeth is the author of Before I Do; A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay and Otherwise, and she served as the successful co-counsel on the case challenging Florida’s same-sex marriage ban in Miami-Dade county brought by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Nick White. Nick is the author of the novel How to Survive a Summer and the forthcoming short story collection Sweet & Low (Penguin/June 2018). He teaches at The Ohio State University’s MFA Program in Creative Writing. 
Kate Carroll de Gutes and Gertrude Publisher, Tammy Lynne Stoner, at SAS in 2017
What does the Conference’s typical demographic look like?
In 2016, writers, editors, and publishers joined us from 27 U.S. states. Attendance grew in 2017, with participants coming from 31 states and from Canada, Honduras, and the Netherlands. This year we expect our numbers to continue to increase a bit in celebration of the 15th anniversary. Based on increased activity and interest on our social media platforms and increased inquiries about the Festival, we expect numbers to continue to rise. The unpredictability of the current political climate and continuous threats of rollbacks on protections for the LGBTQ community makes us even more resolved to band together, share stories, and strengthen both our numbers and our collective voices. 
Christopher Rice, reading at SAS in 2014
Outside of the fabulous happenings with the Conference, what are some favorite sight-seeing opportunities you recommend in New Orleans?
New Orleans’s French Quarter provides attendees some of the world’s best food, every type of music imaginable, exciting night life, and historic tours that range from ghosts and swamps to, of course, Tennessee Williams. For us book lovers, there are great independent bookstores and literary history down every street. I recommend grabbing some beignets at Café du Monde then sitting on a bench in Jackson Square to take in the talents of some of the best street performers and musicians to be found. Plus we’re celebrating our city’s Tricentennial in 2018, so there is bound to be even more merriment than usual. Do you have any anecdotes or favorite moments you’d like to share from your 16 years working with SAS?
There are so many memories that stand out for me... In 2006, we held the first Saints and Sinners to take place after Hurricane Katrina. It was memorable for me in many ways! There was a very special event as part of the program, where author and Louisiana native Martin Pousson arranged a discussion between Jake Shears and Pulitzer winner Michael Cunningham. Jake previewed the Scissor Sisters’ upcoming album, with songs that were influenced by Cunningham’s latest novel, Specimen Days. It was an incredible and moving conversation between the two and really conveyed their love of New Orleans. Later that evening, Martin had also helped arrange a fundraising event to benefit Saints and Sinners and the NO/AIDS Task Force called “Circus Maximus” and Jake was the guest DJ. I remember a friend—for some reason—had five pairs of angel wings in her car, so we all winged up and went to the party where there was glitter, puppets, people on stilts, and a fire eater. Another great memory is the sense of community and caring I’ve felt, personally. Unfortunately, I was a victim of a hate crime several years ago, and as a result had to have my right eye removed. That year at SAS, several attendees chipped in an effort led by author and editor Ron Suresha and presented me with an awesome assortment of designer eye patches. In general, over the years of organizing SAS, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to forge a number of relationships that I deeply value. In addition to all the people I mentioned above, I also became friends with Dorothy Allison and Jewelle Gomez, who are two amazing women. They are both exceptionally talented, calming, and up for anything to support and encourage other writers. 
Libby Ware and Matthew Griffin, co-winners of the 2017 SAS Emerging Writers Award
What future plans and wishes do you have for the SAS?
SAS will continue to promote awareness and education of LGBTQ+ issues through writing and literature. It is one of the few national forums to feature successful LGBTQ+ writers, editors, and publishers and provides loyal fans, readers, emerging talent, and students the access to people and information they might not otherwise have. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, I hope SAS continues to grow with more participants attending each year and with additional programming that benefits the LGBTQ+ community. We can be a voice in our local community and an instrument of change on the national level by making sure LGBTQ+ issues and concerns are addressed. As a nonprofit in the literary realm, funding is always a challenge, but I’m also dedicated to finding funding to support and continue educational outreach within our New Orleans community of students. It’s important to me that as many students as possible have the opportunity to read and learn from LGBTQ authors, to meet them in person, and to know that there is a community of writers out there who have had experiences similar to theirs, and I’m happy to tell you that this year we are able to support this long-term goal with support from the LGBT Fund administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Another wish that may come true would be to launch the inaugural SAS poetry contest in 2019 or 2020 in partnership with Gertrude Press! Yes, that sounds absolutely lovely, Paul! Count us in. In the meantime, save a few spots at the carousel bar for us. . . |
For Your Information. . .
Registration for SAS is $150 ($25 for students), and includes an all-access to the Festival plus a pass to the Glitter with the Literati Welcome Party in the French Quarter, the Saturday night Saints and Sinners anthology book launch and reception, and Sunday’s closing reception, where members are inducted to the Saints and Sinners Hall of Fame and the annual Emerging Writers award is given.
The only additional cost is the Saints and Sinners French Quarter Walking Tour with Frank Perez ($25.00). This two-hour tour focuses on the neighborhood’s queer history over the past 300 years.
Learn more about SAS's mission and goals on their website here, and join their Facebook community here.
The only additional cost is the Saints and Sinners French Quarter Walking Tour with Frank Perez ($25.00). This two-hour tour focuses on the neighborhood’s queer history over the past 300 years.
Learn more about SAS's mission and goals on their website here, and join their Facebook community here.