Author S.E. Chandler discusses her decision to self-publish and the recent success of her new trilogy.
Ron Rash rounds out Xpress’ celebration of Poetry Month
Writer, poet and New York Times bestselling author Ron Rash shares with us his poem, “Good Friday, 1995, Driving Westward,” which first appeared in his 2000 poetry collection, Among the Believers.
Celebrating Poetry Month with Mildred Barya
“Poetry is the language of the soul,” says local poet Mildred Barya. “Before I knew what life was, before I knew what writing was, there was poetry.”
Local author’s new book honors Olmsted’s work with national parks
The Asheville-based author discusses the book he’s been working toward his entire career.
Celebrating Poetry Month with Jessica Jacobs
Xpress continues its celebration of Poetry Month with a look at local, award-winning poet Jessica Jacobs’ work, “Because You Waited for Me to Fly Your First Kite,” from her 2019 collection, Take Me With You, Wherever You’re Going.
Celebrating Poetry Month: Wayne Caldwell’s ‘Pisgah’
Throughout April, Xpress celebrates Poetry Month with a look at works by local poets.
Kristy Woodson Harvey’s new novel explores a vanished Biltmore heirloom
The Beaufort-based author conducted in-depth research about the Vanderbilts for her contemporary historical novel.
Josh Wardrip’s debut novel combines style and substance
The recent transplant discusses his long journey to develop a distinct literary voice in “Forum.”
Irish artists bloom in the Asheville area
Danny Ellis, Gareth Higgins and Paula O’Brien discuss being Irish Americans and how that status has influenced their art.
Local groups provide opportunities for emerging artists of color
A Different Myth and programs at Asheville Community Theatre and the YMI Cultural Center seek to help solve arts equity issues.
Heather Newton revisits the ’70s in new short story collection
The Asheville-based author’s latest work explores tense times in Northern Georgia.
Local author examines Western North Carolina’s violent past
In her latest book, Murder in the Mountains: Historic True Crime in Western North Carolina, local author Nadia Dean examines 10 deadly crimes from the region’s past.
Xpress seeks student writing & art for 2022 Kids Issue
It’s time for local K-12 students to get creative! The theme for Xpress’ 2022 Kids Issue is “Simply Beautiful.” Deadline to submit art and writing for possible publication is Friday, Jan. 28.
Local author examines music, obsession and death in her debut novel
Local author Christy Alexander Hallberg’s recently published debut novel, Searching for Jimmy Page, is a book 15 years in the making. A series of tragedies and personal quests delayed the project prior to its October release.
The Cost of Creativity: Local poet shares insights on the world of self-publishing
“The Cost of Creativity,” a new Xpress series, intends to discuss the financial, mental and emotional components tied to creative endeavors.
Stephanie Perkins celebrates film adaptation and new horror novel
The Asheville-based author discusses her first film adaptation and the process of writing her second horror novel.
Drug trafficking and racial tension converge in Wiley Cash’s latest novel
The New York Times bestselling author and UNC Asheville Writer-in-Residence Wiley Cash discusses his latest novel, When Ghosts Come Home.
Q&A with Erica Abrams Locklear, professor of English at UNCA
Update, Sept. 6, 2021: This piece was updated to reflect that Natasha Tretheway’s book Native Guard is a collection of poetry. Growing up in Leicester, Erica Abrams Locklear imagined becoming a pediatrician one day. She loved to read, though, and remembers enjoying Southern authors Jill McCorkle and Clyde Edgerton. But Abrams Locklear didn’t become aware […]
Asheville Archives: Literary expectations hound Thomas Wolfe, 1931
Despite public outcries over his 1929 debut novel, Look Homeward, Angel, local residents were still eager to know what Thomas Wolfe had planned next. As pressure mounted to deliver his next book, Wolfe begged his mother to not leak any information to the Asheville press.
New book explores 1936 slaying at the Battery Park Hotel
After nearly a decade’s worth of research, local author Anne Chesky Smith celebrates the publication of her new book, Murder at Asheville’s Battery Park Hotel: The Search for Helen Clevenger’s Killer.
New book by local author pairs WNC history with vintage postcards
At the start of COVID, local historian Mary McPhail Standaert began sending out emails to friends and family featuring tidbits of local history. She considered it a fun and creative way to stay in touch amid the pandemic. But as the project evolved, she came to realize she had unintentionally launched her latest book.