SC Arts Commission 40th Anniversary
Forty Lists Project
Your favorite writer or poet from South Carolina
The names of these writers and poets were submitted by appreciative fans. Don't see your favorite? E-mail Milly Hough to add your suggestion to the list.
Click on the person's name to read some of the comments submitted with the entries. (Not all entries included comments.)
Writers and poets by county
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| Aiken | Pam Durban |
| Starkey Flythe | |
| Anderson | J. Allen Wilson |
| Beaufort | Fred Bassett |
| Janet Carr Hull | |
| John Jakes | |
| Quitman Marshall | |
| Warren Slesinger | |
| Charleston | Pat Conroy |
| Red Evans | |
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Dorothea Benton Frank |
| Bret Lott | |
| Robert Marks | |
| Nichole Seitz | |
| Gretchen Stringer-Robinson | |
| Darryl Wellington | |
| Marjory Wentworth | |
| Darlington | Phillip Gardner |
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| Edgefield | Laurel Blossom |
| Greenville | Dorothy Allison |
| MIndy Friddle | |
| Vera Gomez | |
| Terri McCord | |
| George Singleton | |
| Greenwood | Marianne Lenti |
| Jean Park | |
| McCormick | Sallie Marie Thompkins |
| Newberry | Eddie Summer |
| Pickens | Dot Jackson |
| Kate Salley Palmer | |
| Ron Rash | |
| Ben Robertson | |
Richland |
Nan Ancrom |
| Carla Damron | |
| Kwame Dawes | |
| James Dickey | |
| Ed Madden | |
|
Ray McManus |
| Sam Morton | |
York |
Terry Roueche |
| Dori Sanders |
"Ms. Durban writes so insightfully about people and social mores."
"Starkey has a unique voice that is instantly recognizable; his poetry is underappreciated; he is a generous soul who does everything he can to connect people and to promote poetry throughout the CSRA."
"He not only is a gifted, unique poet, but he works tirelessly to promote poetry everywhere."
"I have known and worked with J. Allen Wilson for many years. He has on many occasions served as both a mentor and an inspiration in that his advice has guided me through many a difficult situation. He, in my opinion, is an outstanding poet and photographer who without outside support from any organization and too little recognition, still managed to get his heart's words into print for the whole world to read. His works reflect on the internal workings of the spirit and teaches on many occasions what the true cry of the soul is. If I were to compare his writings to others, I would have to put him with the likes of Whitman, Dylan, and Poe. I was so encouraged by his writings that I bought both of his current books and I am hoping he will soon finish his third book."
"Narrative intensity wth a philosophical bent."
"Mr. Jakes has adopted South Carolina and has a home in Beaufort County where he lives most of the year. His historical novels are thoroughly researched and he has written several works set in the South, and in particular "Charleston," which follows several generations of a family in Charleston."
"Quitman's poems are quiet Southern artifacts. He was retired from running the Picolo Spoleto reading series (some years ago) but his work won him a Poets & Writers Author Exchange place when South Carolina was the chosen state a few years ago."
"Excellence in poetic presentation."
"Lyrical intensity."
"Because this writer's tale of abuse and dysfunctional families and the struggle of the individual characters to overcome their circumstances resonate with many people."
"Can there be a better writer from S.C. than this guy?"
"Evans novel, "On Ice," was not only a road trip story, it also had an underlying spiritual element--that we are to use the gifts we've been given by God and honor the One who gave them."
"I have enjoyed each and every one of her books. They give South Carolina a great name!"
"He is elegantly spare, always real and deep. Brilliant."
"The late Robert Marks who, writing under the pseudonym of John Colleton, wrote numerous novels fancifully depicting various personages in the Charleston community, but ever so carefully disguised and with the names changed of course."
"Seitz is a Lowcountry native who writes fiction that honors Southern culture and God."
"Gretchen has always had heart in S.C., especially the Lowcountry. Although her writings tend towards her childhood they're heartfelt and they relate to everyone."
"Original, demanding, extremely curious, knowledgeable, loving words, engaged, capable of writing poetry, plays, short stories and essays, all with depth of content and unconventional style."
"She's inspirational."
"Phillip Gardner's fiction is funny and wise and natural. His language and voice capture the reader as he follows the lives of his well-rounded characters making them as real and unforgettable as your next door neighbors."
"Laurel is new to South Carolina (three years ago), but she has already made an impact on the literary community in Edgefield and around the state. Her new book, "Degrees of Latitude," is a riveting, book-length narrative poem."
"Because this writer's tale of abuse and dysfunctional families and the struggle of the individual characters to overcome their circumstances resonate with many people."
"Her poetry is exquisite and beautiful, full of salsa flavor and colorful imagery. Also, her work with the GMAC SmartArts program has inspired children in Greenville Schools to find their own voice and improve their writing skills."
"She is able to paint picture with words."
"For his contributions to creative writing and the inspiration to hundreds of students at the Govenor's School for the Arts."
"Her writings are humorous, entertaining and interesting.
"Park is a constant writer on growing up Greenwood, with a keen eye for that which inspires, charms, makes us think. Her large volume of autobiographical stories is not so much about herself, as life in the form of a blessing, a life lived taking the time to examine each day as a gift. Her editorials for our local newspaper are a joy to read, so complete is her command of the most gracious, delicious, enchanting words of this charmed corner of our Palmetto State."
"She is a deserving, interesting and informative writer."
"She is a performer with a lot of energy and style. Her poetry is very heartfelt and down to earth. She is a beautiful young woman with a lot of potential."
"Eddie Summer has been a mute quadraplegic as the result of an illness contacted in the 1970s. Despite this handicap, he has overcome and perservered through his writings, which give him an outlet of expression. He has written the column "Fond Memories" for The Star and County Review of Ninety Six for about 20 years. Eddie published some of his columns in a volume called "Seedlings." Eddie and his family live in Newberry County near the shores of Lake Greenwood in Upstate South Carolina."
"Dot Jackson has written her first novel, "Refuge," after a lifetime of communicating through newspapers and other periodicals. She is a South Carolina treasure and her novel is sure to become a classic."
Kate Salley Palmer writes childrens books, as well as other types of books, and illustrates them with her wonderful unique style of art. Kate lives in Clemson, is originally from Orangeburg, and was a political cartoonist for the Greenville News for some years, long before it was popular for a young woman to do so. Kate was also active while getting her education at the University of S.C. -- doing the cartoon strip called "Terrible Tom and the Boys." She has illustrated other writers' books as well as written and illustrated her own books for some years now. She speaks to many schools and enjoys the enthusiasm of the young folks who all know--when kate is finished speaking with them--that they can be anything they want to be, including an artist and/or writer. she and her husband, Jim, work closely with school libraries as well as speak to retirement homes, as Kate's books tend to have something for everyone."
"His stories are about simple people facing complex situations. Very moving."
"His novel, "One Foot in Eden."
"As Stephen Vincent Benet said when he reviewed Robertson's "Red Hills and Cotton," this IS "the most beautiful book about the South ever written." It remains so today, just as it remains in print, 66 years after it was published."
"Because she writes interesting poems."
"Author of mystery novels, including "Spider Blue."
"He is a prolific poet for S.C., and we should be grateful to have him here!"
"Even though James Dickey was originally from Georgia, he clearly chose South Carolina as his final home on earth. While he "barnstormed for poetry," he opened doors for countless S.C. poets and writers. I know that the USC Creative Writing Program is in excellent hands in the 21st century, but I firmly believe that James Dickey, more than anyone else, made our current success possible."
"Ed Madden is talented, generous, kind, intelligent and really just at the beginning of a most promising future."
"His book, "Driving through the Country before You Are Born," provides a fresh look at the Southern landscape. He is one of S.C.'s hottest new upcoming poets!"
"Incredible poet! You are looking at the next generation of S.C. poets!"
"Sam is one of many outstanding writers from S.C!"
"He is a wonderful playwrite who has had his plays performed in NY , CA and even in Europe."
"Author of "Clover" and "Her Own Place," warm and charming speaker with a great story who would represent South Carolina with grace and wit."