The literary legacy of Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Key West throughout the 1930s, is to be celebrated Tuesday through Sunday, July 15-20, with Hemingway Days' roster of events for fans of good writing.
The schedule includes readings and presentations, a book signing by author and illustrator Edward Hemingway, a world-premiere play reading and the announcement of the winners of the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition.
Lorian Hemingway, critically acclaimed author of "Walking Into the River," "Walk on Water" and "A World Turned Over," also is a journalist whose work has appeared in publications including "GQ," "Rolling Stone" and "Esquire" magazines.
A granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, she has directed the short story competition since its inception in 1981. The literary contest was created to recognize and support the talents of emerging writers.
Lorian Hemingway plans to announce the winners of the 2008 competition at 8 p.m. Friday, July 18. The first-place writer is to receive $1,000, while second- and third-place winners are awarded $500 each and others receive honorable mentions.
The awards announcement reception is scheduled to take place at Ernest Hemingway's first Key West residence, Casa Antigua, 314 Simonton St. Completely restored since Hemingway's era, the property is a showplace with a soaring central atrium garden open to the sky. Owners Tom Oosterhoudt and his mother, Mary Ann Worth, are longtime supporters of the arts who open their home each year to sponsor and host the short story events.
The awards reception is to include a reading of the winning entry, a presentation on Casa Antigua's unique history by Tom Oosterhoudt and tours of the property. Admission is free.
Another scheduled Hemingway Days literary highlight is a book signing and reception celebrating the release of "Bump in the Night," a children's book written and illustrated by Edward Hemingway, Ernest's youngest grandson.
The event is set for 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, in the colorful outdoor courtyard of Key West's landmark Blue Heaven restaurant and bar, 729 Thomas St. Blue Heaven is located on the former site of a boxing ring where Ernest Hemingway refereed neighborhood matches when he lived in the island city.
"Bump in the Night" features blue-hued retro-style illustrations, an appealing young hero, humor and a reassuring message that debunks childhood fears. Edward Hemingway's previous writing and illustrations have appeared in "Gourmet," "GQ" and "Nickelodeon" magazines, among other outlets.
The Blue Heaven reception will feature light refreshments. Admission is free to kids, grownups and everyone who wants to find out why there's no need to fear a "Bump in the Night."
Writers and photographers whose work has been influenced by Key West are to star at an evening of readings, presentations and discussions Wednesday, July 16. Scheduled for 8 p.m., the literary evening is hosted by Wyland Galleries of Key West and takes place at Wyland's 623 Duval St. gallery.
Notable participants include Lorian Hemingway, treasure-diving photographer and writer Don Kincaid, who played a pivotal role in the discovery of the shipwrecked Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha off Key West; author/photographer and expert angler Jeffrey Cardenas, whose books "Sea Level" and "Marquesa: A Time & Place with Fish," blend natural history and fishing reminiscences; and writer, artist and writing coach Cricket Desmarais, editor of Key West's acclaimed literary/art annual "the secret of salt: an indigenous journal."
"Voices, Places, Inspirations" features a reception where attendees can mingle with presenters and discover the work of marine life artist Wyland and his creative contemporaries. Admission is free.
The world-premiere reading of "Storm Surge" by Southern playwright Hubert Grissom is planned for Thursday, July 17. The offbeat comedy-drama touches on drag antics, the Hemingway family legacy, struggles with relationships and addiction, a set of mismatched twins and the puzzle of gender identity.
An attorney as well as a playwright, Grissom is a longtime Hemingway Days contributor. In 2004, the festival schedule included a reading of "Code BapBomb," his best-known Civil Rights-themed play.
The curtain goes up on the reading of "Storm Surge" at 8 p.m. Thursday at Key West's Red Barn Theatre, 319 Duval St. Admission is free.
For information about the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition and other literary events during Hemingway Days, visit http://www.shortstorycompetition.com/ or call (305) 294-0320. For more festival details, visit http://www.hemingwaydays.net/
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