HOMEGROWN: A WRITERS’ EXCHANGE

The State of Mississippi has a rich history of writers who have made significant contributions to the Literary World.

In November 2019, HOMEGROWN was born when the Hancock County Library System presented the first day-long literary arts program in partnership with The Arts Hancock County. Noted author and Delisle, MS native, Jesmyn Ward honored the event with a closing address.

In January 2024, HOMEGROWN returned from its post-pandemic pause, presenting 23 authors, six curated panels, and attracting an audience of 398 people from 8 states.

The HOMEGROWN 2025 event moved to the larger venue on the lovely Gulf Park Campus of the University of Southern Mississippi (Long Beach). The audience of 435 people enjoyed 28 authors — including the NYT best-selling author Lisa Genova (Simon & Schuster Publisher) with 14 stellar programs during its two-day schedule.

HOMEGROWN seeks and welcomes partnerships with libraries across the Gulf Coast to produce its annual, regional literary conference that nurtures aspiring and emerging writers and engages Gulf Coast residents & visitors through connections to the literary arts.

We strive to present the most extraordinary & talented authors through the highest caliber literary event in the Coastal Mississippi region, from Slidell (LA) to Mobile (AL).

In 2024, HOMEGROWN was held at the Hancock Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the campus of Hancock High School in Kiln, Mississippi. The state-of-the art facility includes a theater and adjacent classrooms for breakout sessions & workshops.

In 2025, HOMEGROWN will take place on the picturesque Gulf Park Campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in its lovely Fleming Education Center.

John Brdecka, Executive Director, Hancock County Library System

Sarah Crisler-Ruskey, Executive Director, Harrison County Library System

Scott Naugle, Owner of Pass Christian Books

Julian Rankin, Walter Anderson Museum of Art (Ocean Springs)

Dr. Rebecca Powell, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park

Vickie Feazelle, Hancock County School District

Johnnie Bernhard, author

Catherine Tibbs, arts administrator & educator

Denise Saucier, Director, Long Beach Public Library

Wendy Allard, Harrison County Library System

Nel Ducomb, founding member, HOMEGROWN -2019

Alex Nygaard, Bay St. Louis Library (HCLS)

Andrea Moreau, Kiln Library (HCLS)

Kevin Cole, PR/Marketing, Hancock County Library System

HOMEGROWN is a free event, open to the public. Due to space limitations for some sessions & programs, registration in advance of the event date is strongly encouraged. HOMEGROWN is directed to an adult and young adult (YA) audience, and is not intended for families with younger children.

We realize that MARDI GRAS is not for everyone. Through HOMEGROWN, we offer a quality literary alternative — especially for those who desire a brief & refreshing intellectual escape from New Orleans or Mobile to indulge in the best that Coastal Mississippi has to offer!

We’re especially excited to announce the 4th annual HOMEGROWN event in January 2026 is expanding to include a very special Thursday evening “Kick Off” event with the hugely popular Oxford, MS based, THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO HOUR joining us Live On-Stage for a performance at Historic 100 MEN HALL in Bay St. Louis. Thacker Mountain is heard throughout Mississippi and parts of Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana (and even New Mexico!) through the Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s “THINK RADIO” network.