Save the Date for Elin Hilderbrand in Charleston! Tickets go on sale August 27, 2025. For early access to tickets, subscribe to our newsletter HERE.
Join us for an unforgettable evening with bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand at College of Charleston's historic Sottile Theatre. Known as the "queen of beach reads," Hilderbrand is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose Nantucket-set novels have enchanted millions of readers worldwide. Her work recently gained new acclaim when "The Perfect Couple" was adapted into a hit Netflix limited series starring Nicole Kidman. Now she’s back, and this time she’s taking on academia in her new novel, the first she’s co-written with her daughter Shelby Cunningham, set at a New England boarding school. Hilderbrand will share insights on this debut collaboration and fresh new setting.
Unlike traditional speaker events, Charleston Porch Talks creates authentic dialogue where audiences witness genuine storytelling and the creative process that shapes their craft. You'll hear personal insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and inspiration that resonates with readers of all kinds—all within the warm, conversational atmosphere that makes these events truly special.
Charleston Porch Talks is the inaugural speaker series of The Post and Courier's Journalism Preservation Society, a membership-driven community where citizens ensure South Carolina gets the investigative reporting it deserves. All proceeds support The Post and Courier's Public Service & Investigative Fund, ensuring that vital investigative reporting continues to thrive in South Carolina. Buxton Books is pleased to partner withThe Post and Courier for Charleston Porch Talks. Buxton Books is Charleston’s event focused independent bookstore. Visit us at 160 King Street or online at buxtonbooks.com.
A selection of Hilderbrand's bestselling books will be available for purchase at the event from Buxton Books.
About The Academy:
From #1 bestselling author of The Perfect Couple Elin Hilderbrand, and her daughter, Shelby Cunningham: the irresistible, deliciously scandalous story of one drama-filled year at a New England boarding school.
It’s move-in day at Tiffin Academy and amidst the happy chaos of friends reuniting, selfies uploading, and cars unloading, shocking news arrives: America Today just ranked Tiffin the number two boarding school in the country. It’s a seventeen-spot jump – was there a typo? The dorms need to be renovated, their sports teams always come in last place, and let’s just say Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. On the other hand, the campus is exquisite, class sizes are small, and the dining hall is run by an acclaimed New York chef. And they do have fun—lots of parties and school dances, and a piano man plays in the student lounge every Monday night.
But just as the rarefied air of Tiffin is suffused with self-congratulation, the wheels begin to turn – and then they fall off the bus. One by one, scandalous blind items begin to appear on phones across Tiffin’s campus, thanks to a new app called ZipZap, and nobody is safe. From Davi Banerjee, international influencer and resident queen bee, to Simone Bergeron, the new and surprisingly young history teacher, to Charley Hicks, a transfer student who seems determined not to fit in, to Cordelia Spooner, Admissions Director with a somewhat idiosyncratic methodology – everyone has something to hide.
As if high school wasn’t dramatic enough...As the year unfolds, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are shared and exposed, and the lives of Tiffin’s students and staff are changed forever. The Academy is Elin Hilderbrand’s fresh, buzzy take on boarding school life, and a thrilling new direction from one of America’s most satisfying and popular storytellers.
About Elin Hilderbrand:
Elin Hilderbrand is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. The Academy is her thirty-first novel, and the first co-written with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham. Hilderbrand is the co-host of the podcast "Books, Beach and Beyond" along with @TimTalksBooks creator, Tim Ehrenberg. She is raising four young adult children and likes to spend her free time at the beach and on her Peloton. She's a grateful ten-year breast cancer survivor.
About Charleston Porch Talks:
Charleston Porch Talks brings together acclaimed thought leaders and The Post and Courier's award-winning journalists for in-depth conversations that focus on ideas and storytelling rather than traditional presentations. Each event offers audiences a front-row seat to meaningful dialogue, guided by the same curiosity and dedication to truth that drives our newsroom. Charleston Porch Talks connects directly to The Post and Courier's Journalism Preservation Society, where members receive priority access to events while directly funding the public service journalism that keeps our communities informed and accountable.