The 13th Annual Carolina Mountains Literary Festival on Sept. 6-8, now has  the schedule of events on the website, cmlitfest.org

This year’s authors write to the theme of SURFACE & RISE with stories of people facing challenges and crises and the choices they make.

The festival begins on Thursday night with a free performance by National Poetry Slam finalist, Kane Smego, international touring spoken word poet and Hip Hop Artist who topped the Spotify Viral 50 Billboard in May 2017.

The Friday night banquet will feature Michael W. Twitty, the 2018 James Beard Award Winner for Best Food Writer and Best Book, “The Cooking Gene.” Twitty is a culinary and cultural historian and the creator of the blog afroculinaria.com ($35 BYOB)

The Saturday night keynote speaker will be three-time National Book Award Finalist, novelist Gail Godwin. She is the author of more than a dozen books, many of which take place in western North Carolina, including Asheville. ($20)

During the day on Friday and Saturday, hear free readings and discussions by authors in fiction, memoir, poetry, non-fiction and young adult literature. There will also be 4 three-hour writing workshops ($35).

Memoirists Shuly Cawood, Harriet Hill and Joni Tevis write about events that changed their lives. Tevis said she was “ searching for wisdom in despair…” and found faith and wonder.

Eight fiction authors also write to the theme with novels about Cuba, coming of age, the Civil War, WW II, women learning to change their circumstances and science fiction.

Poets Sam Barbee, Terri Kirby Erickson and Sidney Wade use lyrical language to describe daily life. Brothers Like These write of their experiences in Viet Nam and coming home.

Non-fiction author Mallory McDuff finds solace in the spirituality of place. N.C. Humanities Council Road Scholar Lucinda MacKethan discusses stereotypes of Southern women in literature. Bryant Simon explores the aftermath of the Hamlet factory fire and Daniel Pierce describes the Hazel Creek “road to nowhere’s” impact on community.

Young adult authors will delight readers of all ages.

Most events are free and open to the public. Only the workshops, banquet and Saturday night Keynote require registration and a fee.

Registration begins today. Check out cmlitfest.org