Xpress speaks with local poet Lee Stockdale about his past trauma, his early exposure to poetry and his passion for introducing others to the form. Along with the conversation is his poem, “Are You Jackie Kennedy?”
Local authors share book recommendations for the Halloween season
In the spirit of All Hallows Eve, Xpress reached out to local authors, memoirists and booksellers to offer their recommendations for seasonally appropriate, scary reads set in the South. Bonus points were offered to those whose selection featured a local author.
New children’s book addresses parent’s death by suicide
Picture books are a way for caregivers to guide children through challenging topics, like new siblings and potty training. Asheville-based child psychotherapist Jillian Kelly-Wavering wrote a children’s book to guide children ages 7-12 through another challenge: a parent’s suicide.
My Grief Is Like the Ocean is written by Kelly-Wavering and illustrated by Jessica Biles, who is based in New York. The pair worked together on the book throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and relied on Google Docs and Zoom for their collaboration.
Local authors discuss life on and off the page
Tessa Fontaine, Jessica Jacobs and Heather Newton discuss their multifaceted careers and how they sustain momentum.
Poet Brit Washburn on literature’s highest purpose
Poet Brit Washburn discusses the importance of specificity within poetry, forms of inspiration and the ways a poem can help readers feel less alone.
Poet Luke Hankins on the role and power of poetry
Local poet Luke Hankins discusses his writings, the power of metaphor and his interest in spiritual dilemmas.
Carolina Mountains Literary Festival returns to Burnsville
Keynote speaker David Joy discusses the importance of place in Southern literature.
Literary readings branch out to nontraditional venues
Poetry Open Mic Asheville, Dark City Poets Society and Punch Bucket Lit build community through welcoming, inclusive gatherings celebrating local authors and poets.
Local author reexamines his youth in Asheville, 1960-80
Dan Lewis, an accomplished local musician, recently put down his guitar in order to pen his memoir, Growing Up In Asheville, North Carolina: How Music and Art Spurred a Renaissance In a Sleepy Southern Town.
Around Town: Historic Asheville inn invites writers to interpret history
The Gray Rock Inn Writers Project calls on local authors to contribute fiction and nonfiction pieces. Also: Dark City Poets Society celebrates one-year anniversary of Poetry Night; LEAF Down By the River celebrates youth performers; and more!
Burnsville poet Pat Riviere-Seel discusses poetry, voice and gardening
Award-winning poet and Burnsville resident Pat Riviere-Seel speaks with Xpress about her life as a poet and the unique perspectives all writers bring to the page.
Terry Roberts explores jazz and economic ruin in his latest novel
“I wanted to somehow capture both the ’20s, with its jazz influence, while at the same time explore the decade’s demise — that pivotal point when things start to go south,” says author Terry Roberts, in discussing his latest novel.
Local couple collaborate on comprehensive Appalachian Trail book
Amber and Joshua Niven discuss working together on their new book, “Discovering the Appalachian Trail: A Guide to the Trail’s Greatest Hikes.”
Local poet Anne Maren-Hogan discusses the influence of community on her writing
Xpress speaks with the award-winning poet, Anne Maren-Hogan, about the people and places that inspired the poems in her latest collection, “Vernacular.”
Local veterans find healing through the arts
Photography, music and writing have helped area military servicemen work through combat trauma.
Appalachian short-story collection blends comedy and tragedy
Local author Melanie McGee Bianchi discusses her recently published debut collection, The Ballad of Cherrystoke and Other Stories.
Around Town: Buncombe County Special Collections blog opens to community posts
The Buncombe County Special Collections blog opens up to community submissions. Plus, local multimedia artist puts on augmented reality show, author chronicles history of the Toe River Valley, and photographers express experiences of queerness through visual autobiographies.
Local poet Eric Nelson discusses his latest collection
Xpress speaks with local, award-winning poet Eric Nelson about his latest collection, ‘Horse Not Zebra.’
Local author celebrates new trilogy
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.”