Summary
Organization name
Pirates Alley Faulkner Society
Tax id (EIN)
72-1196493
Address
300 AUDUBON STNEW ORLEANS, LA 70118
Promoting Writers, Engaging Readers, Creating Literary Initiatves
Since September 25, 1990
The Pirate's Faulkner Society's mission is to preserve and enhance American storytelling traditions and to assist developing writers follow in the footsteps of important authors—such as our namesake, Nobel laureate William Faulkner—and achieve publication and literary careers. Although Faulkner is our namesake in recognition of the fact that he wrote his first novel "Soldiers' Pay" while living in New Orleans on Pirate's Alley in 1925, we are not just a Faulkner cult. We embrace all good writers: past, present, and yet to come, with heavy emphasis on the yet to come.Our annual goals are to provide free educational resources and outreach programs for developing writers of all ages, creative writing teachers, and writing workshop leaders. Our annual project goals include creation of high quality literary programming for the general reading public; literacy initiatives for at-risk teenagers which encourage reading good literature; outreach projects for under-served populations in our community; and publicity which enhances the city’s reputation as an important intellectual and cultural destination.
For 36 years, the Society has been a volunteer administered Non-Profit literary and educational organization. Our long-term mission is to ensure future success of the Society by gradual creation of a paid administrative staff to provide continuity and broaden our audience bases.
The majority of our programs are free and open to the public. We are seeking support from readers and writers to continue offering high quality free programs. Membership in the Society is open to all on the same basis, regardless of age, gender, ethnic heritage, or political and religious beliefs.
We kick of our 2026 Membership Drive on the evening of May 28th with Merry, Merry in May. The event will take place at the residence of Co-Founder Rosemary James. For information about the Society's 2026 literary programming, membership levels and benefits and a membership form, email us at: Faulkhouse@aol.com.
The Faulkner Society was created in 1990 with the overall goal of working to enhance the national image of New Orleans as a cultural and intellectual destination. In addition to provocative and educational free literary events for the general public, mission specifics include providing realistic assistance to developing writers of all ages, creating literacy initiatives, and continuing education in literature and writing. Major projects annually include:
—The William Faulkner - William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition open to all anywhere in the world writing in English and offering cash prizes and gold medals in nine categories. 2026 deadline for entries is midnight, June 15th. For guidelines, visit:
https://faulknersociety.org/william-faulkner-wisdom-competition/competition-guidelines/
—Faulkner for All! This 4-day festivals features discussions by some of America's best writers for the general reading public and advice sessions and manuscript critiques by leading New York and California literary agents and editors. The theme of the 2026 festival, gives a nod to this 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution with the festival theme: "The Triumph of American Literature."
2026 festival dates are September 24 - 27. 2026 Headliners include National Book Award winner Sarah Broom and bestselling fiction writer Maurice Carlos Ruffin. Keynote speaker will be the legendary literary editor Gerald Howard, whose new book, "The Insider" has just been release to widespread literary acclaim. Eight agents and editors will be on hand for critiques
(Advance registration required).
For complete information about the competition and festival, email us at: faulkhouse@aol.com or visit our web site: www.faulknersociety.org.
Many of our programs are free to the public with advance reservations. To help offset the cost of continuing free programming, we need dedicated readers and writers to assist us with donations. Even very small donations are welcome.
And we would very much like to see you at our events. So, become a member today and plan to attend our annual membership drive kick-off, Merry, Merry in May, May 28th, 6:30 p. m. For a membership form and event details, email us: faulkhouse@aol.com
What They Say About Us!
A Few Post-Festival Comments By Presenters
From: Justin Torres, Winner, National Book Award for Blackouts, festival presenter.
You are such role models for me, your spirit, your generosity, your style. Love you all, Justin.
Here is a link to video comment by Justin Torres:
https://vimeo.com/1156877660/3450ba60e2?turnstile=0.hCA0HAb2aiTalTVbTTckUrn-BVpl2JzWtpTFQWJ8oQLfzexMX0EwGHT0TCMu27b6JUvJMym_cKDiceJLHGtsN444cyCJ2IOsd3qH_JOwAOAbprs9yJF_jyPROgWHPV1dtwTa29ZVQ0vrQQ1gyERBoaIUOLQdl7cnQIuizuaZpVcUdQ_IzcRK7BO89kQjmNLc5yvDsK4RdqVB7OrG75n29RfWE81F6A1I_HF72SCTJidejhxhlsTRQlnMR8mXA_lamkS5VUygIrBgykqOX7ICLgnou2pmBp5pIYA-vUbd8NCbxxZ4j0IxhZLgr0Zpm3duN3CxP0koZXTsZz8e3L4jNF19vuYFO4htUza95V0DhiIUj8KFqfMCq0HGfnKDOE0YYvj9eTIK_YuC1tkWEs4mcpjE_QWslRfzMDJCqb_cinJ_zmbbT82CQcGtnAkBL2V7B8iCpSHFydIdo5WKmmtB82FWSvBN5NT2xY1byIub_uxWoKHlWcEUAxPmrBbD_lU6xGFpIxevAm4ybVynLwo8cRgTWPVoswXvxX2Xz3PeIvpZiNFT3NobkLO0Ypb-vKyZBAglqoq6CKAlgmgfbpLtLADSEPvmlfs7aiU45kgpP5hda9UMaTrN6L8fwoXdzyfftqhn9jUvgZ6eMTU7kPIj6DK7rdPCOR7ZaUiOFXZ5Z3jAwjNc5ioU2cPgSmPQSyMJfMhvR23f5erjSYmMJRWPNatJDuvqDzfUVpRRxq4F24dd3VT_IOdd6CTmPv_KPczUpb4DPpR9YHulAfOdk2omt4JDFaeOKkNc1RST0YPfAW3GezTkZAaMQYXPMxGdwbFh0NSBXV_l8E1TnmCqGL4bM386ufEvjCdMxSBx-OtrCUUF0GhyIIHemrc_QWadc-x8ADSDRWQgssx1WogxxLWTUZSIPJ0UIovHA3h-eOiXO6d6W6o9IGv0mGvyPl0Hvbi0hMkPhkCyVHpUY6hAgQ.8gW_cslW1u-EEk-CMAIQYw.385dd7987f2e598bc1c64a7915dd6374741a05eeb61dbde3f238b05f2c4caf36
From: The Countess of Derby, Caroline Stanley, curator to the Royals, historian, storyteller, festival presenter.
Dear Rosemary: I want to thank you and members of the Faulkner Society for including me in Faulkner for All. It was an honor and a pleasure and fun to speak in New Orleans.
From: Claire Hoffman, Los Angeles, author, 2025 NY Times Notable Book: Sister, Sinner.
I loved being back for the Faulkner Festival, which has meant so much to me and my work. I enjoyed especially being paired with Tom Mallon, with his incredible mind and sly sense of humor, and I loved Lady Derby’s injections of fun about her family’s 600-year role in the English history.
From: Penny Morrill of McLean, VA, Leading expert on New Orleans artist /architect William Spratling & his relationship with William Faulkner, festival presenter.
Of course I always love to talk about the two Bills and I was bowled over by the exceptional quality and broad scope of the humanities discussions at this year’s festival.
From: Justin Brouckaert, Literary Agent, Aevitas Creative Management
The conference line-up terrific lineup, and I quite enjoyed the spirited panels on publishing (in addition to Justin Torres’s presentations). The writers I critiqued this year were strong, too. I’m reading Megan Baxter’s The Beast Hunter manuscript with great interest.
From: Julie Kane, 2025 Writer of the Year, Poetry Competition Judge, and Presenter.
Thanks for including in Faulkner for All! I heard so many fascinating panels, that I came home newly inspired to WRITE and read more work by fellow presenters. I have my souvenir copy of The Marble Faun, which I will treasure.
From: Rodger Kamenetz, New Orleans poet and non-fiction writer, festival presenter.
2026’s festival was fantastic. I was moved especially by the session with Yuri Herrera and Julian Torres, whose personal insight into the damage done to individuals by marginalization, which, although hard to hear, is important. Poetry readings were beautiful and poet comments about the marginalization theme were words that need to be said again and again and again.
Organization name
Pirates Alley Faulkner Society
Tax id (EIN)
72-1196493
Address
300 AUDUBON ST