VIP Literary Weekend Experience
This three-day experience offers unlimited VIP access to all the world-class literary events during one weekend of the Charleston Literary Festival, either Nov. 7-9 or Nov. 14-16.
The package includes access to the best of the festival, including invitations to private parties in historic homes, entry to the private donor lounge at Dock Street Theatre, exclusive walking and museum tours, discounted luxury hotel rooms, and more.
Author Events
Access to all author sessions taking place over one three-day weekend.
First Weekend: Nov. 7—9, 2025
Featured authors on the first weekend include: Joyce Carol Oates, Colum McCann, Michael Cunningham, Glory Edim, Imani Perry, Aria Aber, Max Boot, Kevin Sack, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., and more.
Second Weekend: Nov. 14—16, 2025
Featured authors on the second weekend include: Stephen Greenblatt, Maggie Smith, Adam Gopnik, Viet Thanh Ngyuen, Patricia Lockwood, David Szalay, Adam Haslett, Katie Kitamura, and more.
To secure your VIP Weekend Experience, please email our Founding Development Director, Suzanne Pollak suzanne.pollak@charlestonliteraryfestival.com.
Highly Curated Custom Tours, Extraordinary Parties, and Exclusive Perks
The Heart of the VIP Literary Weekend Experience
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Welcome Reception
Join Festival Executive Director, Sarah Moriarty in Dock Street Theatre for a warm welcome on the first day of the festival. This is the perfect time to meet and converse with fellow VIP Weekend attendees.
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A Private Evening Soiree
An evening event filled with glitz and glamor alongside authors and special guests at an 18th Century private home.
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Private Home Garden Tour
Tour of an exquisite landscaped garden behind the hidden gates of a classic Charleston 19th century home in the notorious South of Broad community.
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An Epic Literary Great Birthday Party Invitation
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman turning 250 needs a birthday party! To celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, we’re throwing her a party. This playful, elevated celebration is invite-only for Weekend Festival VIPs, donors, and authors and is not open to the public. Jane’s special evening event will take place at a historic house on Legare Street in Downtown Charleston (fun fact: the house is also 250 years old!) An unmissable moment to celebrate Jane’s birthday, meet Charleston literati, and make some new friends to boot (First Weekend Only).
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Literary Walking Tour
A literary walking tour that unveils the depth and breadth of Charleston’s literary scene, designed just for Weekend VIPs led by Charleston academic and author, Harlan Greene.
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A Great Gatsby Party
Get ready to throw on your flapper fringe or a three-piece suit and party like it’s 1925. Celebrate 100 Years since the publication of The Great Gatsby with a decadent party at a privately-owned historic home on Legare Street Downtown Charleston. It will be so good, Gatsby himself might rise from West Egg to join us. (Second Weekend Only).
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Intimate Sunday Brunch
Dine and mingle with Festival authors and fellow VIP Weekend attendees for an invite-only brunch in a historic private home in Downtown Charleston.
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Private Tour of the International African American Museum
A guided experience of the IAAM museum, named one of TIME Magazine’s greatest places of 2024.
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Private Donor Lounge
Enjoy the private donor lounge located on the second floor of Dock Street Theatre as a respite between sessions throughout the festival. Meet and mingle with other VIPS, donors, and authors, and enjoy conversation over complimentary cocktails and light bites.
Read what one Weekend Festival VIP had to say about her experience:
Charleston oozes charm out of its pores, but the Literary Festival gives you the insider’s view. I couldn't possibly list all of the transformative experiences. I appreciated the opportunities for genuine and meaningful conversations with everyone in attendance.”
—Pamela Francis, Dallas, TX
Additional Benefits just for Weekend VIPs
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Hotel Reservations
Discounted hotel room rates at some of the most luxurious hotels in Downtown Charleston.
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Saturday Night Dinner Reservation
Restaurant reservations that are nearly impossible to make are secured for Weekend VIPs at Charleston’s most exclusive, sought after tables.
There are a limited number of VIP Literary Weekend Experiences available.
The VIP Literary Weekend Experience is designed with a discerning literary enthusiast in mind by hospitality and entertaining savant and long-time Charlestonian, Suzanne Pollak, the Festival Founding Development Director.
For more information about Weekend VIP packages, please contact Suzanne Pollak at