Buxton Books and Wild Dunes Resort are proud to present 22nd Annual Wild Dunes Author Event and Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe

Join us for the 22nd Annual Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe happening January 15 - 17 on Isle of Palms, SC!

Tickets to Sunday's Main Program available now! Please read the event description and purchase tickets at the bottom of this page.

Saturday Breakout tickets (and NEW! Sunday Morning Coffee) are available as add-ons during the checkout process.

Tickets to Friday's Words and Music Welcome Party coming soon...stay tuned!

Each year, more than 400 readers gather to attend this literary event that brings three days of author events and programming to the beautiful Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

For more than 20 years, this beachside literary series has connected book lovers to a host of beloved, bestselling, and award-winning authors, including the series founder, Mary Alice Monroe. 

We are thrilled to announce the 2027 headlining authors: 

THERESE ANNE FOWLER is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of multiple novels including It All Comes Down to This, A Good Neighborhood, A Well-Behaved Woman, and Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, which was adapted for television starring Christina Ricci. Her books are sold in translation worldwide. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, award-winning author John Kessel.

CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE is the author of ten novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Orphan Train, The Exiles, and A Piece of the World. Her novels have received the New England Society Book Award for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and several bookseller awards, among other prizes. Born in England, she was raised in the American South and Maine. She lives in New York City and in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

NAYANTARA ROY’s debut novel, The Magnificent Ruins, was a New York Times Editor’s Choice novel of 2024, an LA Times Editor’s Pick, a Washington Post Best Book, a People Magazine Best Book and an Apple best debut among others. The book is currently being adapted for television. In 2018, Roy won the Rick DeMarinis Short Story Prize for her short story, “8C.” Her plays have been performed internationally, in the UK and India. By day, she is the Senior Vice President of Television at Sandbox Entertainment where she acquires and develops original scripted series. She was born in Kolkata and now lives in Los Angeles.

DANIEL WALLACE is author of six novels, including Big Fish (1998), Ray in Reverse (2000), The Watermelon King (2003), Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician (2007), The Kings and Queens of Roam (2013), and most recently Extraordinary Adventures (May 2017). His children’s book, published in 2014, and for which he did both the words and the pictures, is called The Cat’s Pajamas, and it is adorable. In 2003 Big Fish was adapted and released as a movie and then in 2013 the book and the movie were mish-mashed together and became a Broadway musical. His novels have been translated into over three-dozen languages. A memoir, This Isn’t Going to End Well, was published in April, 2023. Daniel Wallace is the J. Ross MacDonald Distinguished Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his alma mater.

MARY ALICE MONROE, award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of 30 novels and the founder of the Wild Dunes Literary Series, will open the program with welcoming remarks.

BUXTON BOOKS is the sponsoring bookseller of the Wild Dunes Author Series Weekend.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE WILD DUNES LITERARY EVENT

The weekend’s literary festivities culminate on Sunday at 2:00 pm with the keystone event! Guests will enjoy an in-depth and lively author conversation, diving into each author’s novels, writing life, and inspiration. We’ll hear from our powerhouse of a panel that includes bestselling authors Therese Anne Fowler, Christina Baker Kline, Nayantara Roy, and Daniel Wallace. Audience questions conclude the discussion. Afterwards, visit each author at their signing table to get your books personalized and say hi. 

Sunday’s headline experience will include a coffee/tea bar, curated silent auction, Buxton Books pop-up book shop and more. 

Program begins at 2:00 pm. We encourage you to join us starting at 1:00 pm to pick up your book(s), find your seat, enjoy the complimentary refreshments, and participate in the Silent Auction and Raffle. (Please note: 1:00 pm is the DOORS OPEN time for this event.) 

The Wild Dunes Author Event with Mary Alice Monroe proudly supports literacy. Proceeds from the event and 100% of money raised at the auction will go to Reading Partners SC, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides weekly one-on-one tutoring for local elementary school students. We’re grateful to the authors for donating their time and to our sponsors for their generous support.

Guests who reserve their tickets to the Wild Dunes Author Event with Mary Alice Monroe unlock access to an array of additional Saturday offerings AND, new this year, Sunday Morning Coffee! A ticket to Sunday’s Main Event must be purchased to participate in these breakout sessions. 

VIP ALL- ACCESS Ticket: $450.00:

• Premiere seating in the front rows for Sunday's Main Program and complimentary refreshments via the coffee/tea bar
• A signed book from each of the weekend's featured authors. Titles include: Perilous Beautiful World by Therese Anne Fowler, The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline, Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy, and Beneath the Moon and Long Dead Stars by Daniel Wallace
• Entry to all the Breakout Sessions (11 am Books & Brunch with Mary Alice Monroe, 2 pm Writing Workshop, 5 pm Pinot and Prose, and 10 am Sunday Morning Coffee & Copy)
• Entry to Friday's Welcome Party at the Windjammer.
• Ticket holders will also receive all books bundled with the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning tickets.
• A Buxton Books tote bag
• PLUS! Concierge service provided by Isle for VIP All-Access ticket holders only. Concierge service includes help planning your stay, reserving seats at each event, and help with dining and other entertainment needs during your weekend stay.

That's 10 books and 3 days of programming included with the ticket. This is the one-and-done ticket choice for an all-inclusive experience at the Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend!

VIP Ticket: $185.00 :

• Premiere seating in the front rows at Sunday's Main Program and complimentary refreshments via the coffee/tea bar
• A signed book from each of the headlining authors. Titles include: Perilous Beautiful World by Therese Anne Fowler, The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline, Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy, and Beneath the Moon and Long Dead Stars by Daniel Wallace.
• A Buxton Books tote bag 

This ticket is a key to participate in all of the additional ticketed weekend events. Tickets for the Saturday/Sunday morning Breakout Sessions can be purchased separately during checkout.

General Admission Ticket: $55.00:

• The general admission ticket includes general seating for Sunday's Main Program
• Complimentary refreshments via the coffee/tea bar
• One (1) signed copy of a featured title of your choice.

This ticket is a key to participate in all of the additional ticketed weekend events. Tickets for the Saturday/Sunday morning Breakout Sessions can be purchased separately during checkout. 

Please note: Tickets to this event are non-refundable. If you are no longer able to make the event, we are happy to hold your signed copy of the book(s) included with your ticket for pick up at the store or shipping (at an additional cost).

BREAKOUT SESSIONS: SATURDAY, JANUARY 16th & THE MORNING OF SUNDAY, JANUARY 17th

The weekend includes an exciting array of breakout sessions! Registration to these literary events is only available to guests who have purchased a ticket to the Sunday Main Event. These events have a very limited capacity, so get your tickets early. 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16th

11:00 am Books & Brunch with Mary Alice Monroe and Andie MacDowell: $80.00

Mary Alice Monroe is back! The Rivers' End, the second book in her Where the Rivers Merge duology, is set to publish in July 2027 and you’re invited to this very first sneak peak! Enjoy a delicious brunch, mimosas and a coffee bar in the luxe Indigo Room & Rooftop with Mary Alice and Andie MacDowell, acclaimed actress who played Lovey in the movie adaptation of The Beach House and friend of Mary Alice, as they discuss this upcoming title. In addition to the brunch, your ticket includes a pre-order for The Rivers' End which will be mailed to you when it releases in July. PLUS! As an exclusive gift from Mary Alice and her publishing team, you’ll receive the prologue and first chapter at brunch. This is the ultimate experience for Mary Alice Monroe fans and spots are limited!

2:00 pm Writing Workshop with Christina Baker Kline: $100.00***

Calling all aspiring writers! Returning to this year’s event is the afternoon Writing Workshop, a chance to explore the art of writing with one of the weekend’s headlining authors. During this two hour-long class, Christina Baker Kline, your New York Times bestselling author turned writing instructor, will share tools, prompts, and encouragement to help you get started on your writing journey or hone your craft. Guests will receive a notebook and pen to follow along with exercises. A pop-up bookshop will be on site. Ticket also includes a coffee and cookie station and a signed paperback copy of a backlist favorite from your workshop leader. Come nurture your creativity with a bestselling author and fellow attendees! This event will take place in the Sweetgrass Pavilion.

***This event is currently only open to VIP All-Access ticket holders. Tickets are not currently available as an à la carte option.

5:00 pm From Page to Screen: Celebrating the Stories that Inspire Movies and TV with Nayantara Roy and Daniel Wallace: $75.00

Sip wine and nosh appetizers as you enjoy a glorious sunset view on the rooftop of the Sweetgrass Hotel and are treated to delightful conversation about book-to-screen adaptations with two of the weekend's featured authors—Nayantara Roy and Daniel Wallace. This is the perfect way to cap-off Saturday’s schedule! Ticket also includes your choice of signed paperback backlist: Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy OR Big Fish by Daniel Wallace. This event will take place in the Indigo Room & Rooftop.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17th

10 am Coffee & Copy with Nayantara Roy and Kathy Pories (her editor!): $35.00

Get an early start to Sunday's fesitivites with a cozy Coffee & Copy breakout event with author Nayantara Roy and a very special guest, her editor Kathy Pories! This is a fun and unique opportunity to get an inside peek at the editorial process and how a book goes from a manuscript to a New York Times bestselling novel. If you're the kind of book nerd who always reads the acknowledgements, this event is for you! Included with your ticket is a signed paperback copy of Nayantara Roy's Magnificent Ruins and complimentary refreshments via the coffee/tea bar. 

Saturday and Sunday's breakout events are only available to those who are Sunday Main Event ticket holders. 

Please note: Tickets to these add-on events are non-refundable. If you are no longer able to make it to your breakout session(s), we are happy to hold your signed copy of the book(s) included with your ticket for pick up at the store or shipping (at an additional cost).

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15th- Words and Music Welcome Party with Hootie and the Blowfish's Jim 'Soni' Sonefeld!

Join us for our Words and Music Welcome Party Friday, January 15th from 4-6 pm at an all new location! This year, we will be kicking off the weekend at The Windjammer, a beloved Isle of Palm beachside venue, with Hootie and the Blowfish's Jim "Soni" Sonefeld! Not only will we get to hear about his memoir, Swimming with the Blowfish, we'll also be treated to a musical performance. After all, it wouldn't be The Windjammer without a little jam...

Come enjoy the sunset with us and help us kick off the island’s biggest literary event of the year, celebrating its 22nd year! This special event is open to the public. You do not need a ticket to Sunday’s main event to purchase a ticket to this kickoff party.

Tickets and more information coming soon! 

Please note: Tickets to this event are non-refundable.

WILD DUNES AUTHOR EVENT & WEEKEND HOTEL RESERVATIONS
The Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend with Mary Alice Monroe includes an opportunity to treat yourself to stay on property at the world-class Wild Dunes Resort. Opportunities to golf, swim, enjoy the spa, and of course walk the beach await you!

This is a special opportunity for friends, couples, and book clubs to gather at a luxury seaside resort to celebrate a shared love of books. Call Wild Dunes Resort at 866-359-5593 or book online with code BOOK20 to receive an exclusive discounted rate when you reserve a room from 1/15 - 1/18.

Treat yourself to this literary experience at the beach!
The season of gift giving is approaching! A ticket to the Wild Dunes Author Event is a perfect gift for your book-loving friend, spouse, or family member. And it’s perfect for book clubs! 

For ticketing questions, please contact:
Buxton Books
events@buxtonbooks.com

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Polly Buxton
polly@buxtonbooks.com

ABOUT WILD DUNES RESORT, A DESTINATION BY HYATT RESORT:
Nestled on the northern tip of Isle of Palms, a lush barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt resort, occupies 1,600 acres of oceanfront paradise with a variety of accommodation options, including Sweetgrass Inn, Boardwalk Inn, and the Residence at Sweetgrass, private condos, luxury home vacation rentals. Wild Dunes Resort, located just 30 minutes from the charm and grace of historic downtown Charleston, will be the largest resort of its kind in the region with the addition of Sweetgrass Inn, offering groups of up to 650 people the chance to enjoy a Lowcountry getaway. With year-round championship golf, nationally ranked tennis, award-winning recreation, spa services and restaurant options, Wild Dunes Resort has been distinguished by many publications and associations as a top destination for families, golfers, tennis lovers and meeting and event planners. Visit Wild Dunes Resort online on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

OUR SPONSORS:
We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping make this literary experience and fundraiser possible. They are the Wild Dunes Resort, the Wild Dunes Club, and Buxton Books.

Proceeds from the Wild Dunes Author Event & Weekend will directly support Reading Partners South Carolina, which is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Charleston, SC that provides one-on-one tutoring for elementary students at Title 1 schools in the greater Charleston area to help them improve their literacy skills to reach at great level.