Thacker Mountain Radio Hour kicks off this year’s event with a live show at historic 100 Men Hall in Bay St. Louis on Thursday, January 29. Doors open at 5:30 PM.

Author W. Ralph Eubanks and musical guests Corky Siegel (Blues) and The Veal Brothers (Gospel) will join Thacker Mountain Radio Hour on stage for an evening of conversation, performance, and entertainment.

Based in Oxford and in its 28th year, Thacker Mountain Radio Hour broadcasts statewide through Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB). Catch their author readings, musical performances, and distinctly Southern storytelling Saturdays at 7 PM on WMAH-FM radio in Biloxi.

500+ students who register for this day of HOMEGROWN programming through the Live Oak Writing Project will learn creative writing skills through hands-on sessions facilitated by graduate students from the USM Hattiesburg CENTER FOR WRITERS, as well as enjoy a keynote session featuring Jason Reynolds and Jesmyn Ward.

Please send questions about registration to: Rebecca.a.powell@usm.edu.

MacArthur Fellows Jason and Jesmyn will be in conversation on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park Campus a day ahead of the public HOMEGROWN event.

Jason served as Library of Congress Ambassador for Young People’s Literature from 2020-2022 and has authored almost two dozen books including Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Long Way Down, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third), and Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin).

Currently a professor of creative writing at Tulane University, Jesmyn is the historic winner—first woman and first Black American—of two National Book Awards for Fiction for Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017) and Salvage the Bones (2011). She is the recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant, a Stegner Fellowship, a John and Renee Grisham Writers Residency, the Strauss Living Prize, and the 2022 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.

Hosted by Pass Christian Books at 301 East Scenic, hear W. Ralph Eubanks discuss his latest book, When It's Darkness on the Delta. Eubanks delivers a powerful and insightful examination of how racism and economic instability have shaped life in the Mississippi Delta.

After the author talk and book signing, enjoy complimentary drinks and celebratory networking with fellow HOMEGROWN authors, moderators, publishers, and event-goers during an opening reception.

Immerse yourself in a full day of stories from the South at HOMEGROWN.

Hosted on the beautiful Gulf Park Campus of The University of Southern Mississippi, HOMEGROWN invites locals and visitors alike to discover the power of Southern storytelling and the culture that inspires it.

Enjoy panels, author talks, and more featuring award-winning storytellers who share insights into character, craft, and creativity.

Panels: Stories in Food, Southern Noir, Poetry in Motion, Memoirs, Storied Fiction, and Children’s Literature

Film Screenings: Chasing Rabbits, based on a short story by Michael Farris Smith, and En Famille, inspired by a poem by Skye Jackson.

In Conversation: W. Ralph Eubanks with Betsy Bradley, ROOTED Magazine, Ron Ladler with Tracy Car

Presentation: Navigating the Publishing Industry

Workshop: Creative Writing with Ellen Ann Fentress

The Arts Hancock County is joining forces with 100 Men Hall and HOMEGROWN and presenting a Story Slam to bookend the four-day event.

What is a Story Slam? Think, poetry slam without the rhyming. Each Slam features stories that are humorous, touching, revealing, and poignant. And with every story told, we become more connected to those around us. Storytellers have 5-ish minutes to tell a true story they personally experienced, based on the theme chosen for the event. 

What’s the Theme? “Surprise!” Stories can range from that time you tried to surprise a friend only to be surprised right back, to that ring you didn’t see coming, to the time that guy who never comes through, actually did. 

Don’t have a story to share? (For the record, we know you do.) Come enjoy the tales of others. Story Slams are always filled with laughter, a few tears and, of course, a one or two surprises.  

Like all HOMEGROWN events, Story Slam is FREE. There will be a cash bar.