Alexander Steere, a seventh grader at Francine Delany New School, discusses his love for the River Arts District.
Debut memoir explores the intractability of memory
Like any exquisitely crafted narrative, local author Rachel M. Hanson’s debut memoir, The End of Tennessee, encapsulates the story’s fundamental ache within the book’s opening lines.
Unstoppable: An ecosystem of literacy access
“The majority of local students, no matter their race, background and socioeconomic status, were not reading on grade level prior to the storm, and they just lost another month-plus of critical instruction,” says Jessica McLean, co-executive director of Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe
Historian Timothy Silver investigates a Yancey County culture clash turned fatal
Timothy Silver’s new book, Death in Briar Bottom: The True Story of Hippies, Mountain Lawmen, and the Search for Justice in the Early 1970s, is a gripping investigative history. He will read from it at two free events: at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe in Asheville, Sunday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m. (preregister online), and at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, Monday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m.
Poet Clint Bowman’s latest collection explores modern-day life in Appalachia
Whereas interstates and nature dominate the first two sections of “If Lost,” the third and final portion, “Don’t Be Afraid,” weaves the collection together through its more direct meditations on death, regret and moments of connection.
Smart Bets: The Palmist of Marshall
All proceeds from the romance story set in Marshall will support storm recovery efforts in Madison County
Ashleigh Shanti’s debut cookbook explores the South that shaped her
From Southern Appalachia to the Lowcountry, the celebrated Asheville chef’s first cookbook traces her life’s journey and the roots of her identity through food.
Around town: Orison Books hosts literary and musical fundraiser
Orison Books holds a fundraiser, Asheville Comedy Festival returns, Museum of the Cherokee People hosts its signature arts festival and more!
Emöke B’Racz discusses her latest poetry collection and the early days of Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
In Xpress’ latest poetry feature, we speak with Emöke B’Racz about her recent publication, her approach to writing and the influence that Western North Carolina has had on her work.
Local author shares her tale of finding her biological family
“Finding my birth parents seemed as insurmountable as knowing where humanity came from,” says author Valerie Naiman. After multiple DNA tests, she continues, “I turned to psychics and detectives. Wading through a muck of secrets, lies and falsified documents, I finally found my mother when she was 94 years old.”
Kenneth Eggert embraces music’s mysteries in new book
The book gives the educator somewhere to put thoughts and ideas he’s typically unable to express in the context of a music theory course.
Don Silver’s new novel explores childhood issues manifesting in adulthood
The Asheville-based author discusses the long journey to his second novel.
Around town: Marion plantation recognizes woman of color as descendant
Woman of color inducted into Daughters of the American Revolution, Brew and View back on the market, Frozen live on stage, new book about labyrinths and more!
Four of a Kind: Leslee Johnson discusses local literary scene
The writer and educator talks new projects and the city’s literary scene.
Taylor Brown’s latest historical novel explores 1921 trench warfare on American soil
If you’re unfamiliar with the story about the Battle of Blair Mountain — the largest labor uprising in American history that resulted in over one million rounds fired as well as bombs dropped on Logan County, West Virginia — well, you’re probably not alone. But author Taylor Brown hopes to change that with his latest novel.
Tessa Fontaine’s debut novel takes readers to an isolated community with dark secrets
Tessa Fontaine’s debut novel, The Red Grove, asks the question: What would life be like for women if they never had to worry about violence?
New book examines WNC’s violent past
“Violence spins in vicious cycles, and if you want to fully understand why these events in Morganton occurred, then you have to examine root causes that predate 1927,” says author and historian Kevin W. Young.
Guy Mead wins 2024 Xpress Poetry Contest
This year’s competition asked writers to draft an original, previously unpublished piece on the theme of our shared humanity.
Debut novel revisits unsolved political assassination
The former journalist discusses the challenges of shifting to writing novels.
Waynesville-based nonprofit spotlights WNC storytellers
The monthly events run April-August and feature Adama Dembele, Ann Miller Woodford, DeWayne Barton, Marsha Almodovar and Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle.
John Garland Wells explores century-old murder in new prose poetry novella
The Asheville-based author’s “Hinterkaifeck” delves into the still-unsolved 1922 murder of the Gruber family in rural Bavaria.