Erica Abrams Locklear will discuss her new book Appalachia on the Table with chef John Fleer at Malaprop’s on Tuesday, April 18.
Mildred Kiconco Barya celebrates the release of her latest poetry collection
Mildred Kiconco Barya, a local poet and assistant professor of English at UNC Asheville, is celebrating the April 10 release of her latest collection, ‘The Animals of My Earth School.’
Daughter publishes book by pioneering physician father decades after his death
For most people, Dr. Charles S. Norburn‘s name may have been a footnote in history, if it was known at all. Yet his contributions to the region’s health care industry are considerable thanks to his 1946 purchase of 32 acres of property at 509 Biltmore Ave., which became the site of the Norburn Hospital & Clinic. […]
Four of a Kind: Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle talks area literary scene
The author talks new projects and the area’s literary scene.
Mallory McDuff promotes attainable climate activism in new book
The Warren Wilson College professor profiles one woman in each U.S. state who’s making a difference on the environmental front.
Kids stuff: Make reading fun!
Kate Spratt, Buncombe County Public Libraries youth services specialist for the Preschool Outreach Program, discusses trends in children’s literature and ways parents can make reading fun.
Kids stuff: Build early literary skills
Jacquelyn Hall, co-executive director of Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe discusses the importance of reading to children from a young age and the how everyone in the community can play a role in promoting literacy.
Susan Reinhardt’s latest novel combines satire and solemnity
Known as a humorist by many, the local author pivots in her latest novel, The Beautiful Misfits, tackling the issue of addiction. Despite the heavy topic, Susan Reinhardt promises that there is also plenty of hope and potential laughter within the story’s pages.
The Rumpus establishes home base in Asheville
Alyson Sinclair and Alysia Li Ying Sawchyn discuss the literary magazine’s rich history and their plans for collaborations with Asheville’s writing community.
Kids stuff: Respect the youths
Ellen Bowditch, a retired elementary school teacher and volunteer tutor with Literacy Together, discusses her work with the local nonprofit, the importance of community involvement and the need to show care and respect to our area’s youth.
Building community through books
Xpress speaks with local book club organizers and participants about the unique ways in which these groups create community.
Poet Clint Bowman on writing about WNC
Clint Bowman shares his poem “A Real Mountain Man.”
Young adult novel brings Asheville’s street-music scene to life
Buskers, bullies, a menacing pet pig and various homages to the characters and colorful businesses that populate the Asheville downtown area show up in local author Jennie Liu’s latest young adult novel.
Poet Michael Hettich challenges readers to embrace life’s unknowns
In this month’s poetry feature, we speak with Michael Hettich about the way poetry connects readers to the living and the dead, the art forms ability to capture the unsayable and the influential and metaphorical power nature plays in his work.
Four of a Kind: Mildred Barya talks local literary scene
The poet talks new projects and the city’s literary scene.
Poet Mackenzie Kozak reflects on poetry’s gift of greater self-awareness
“To me, [poetry is] more about the act of moving someone from one space into another space, to startle them out of their regular way of seeing the world,” says poet Mackenzie Kozak. “I think that is ultimately what builds awareness about ourselves and our environment.”
Lee Stockdale on poetry’s ability to heal deep wounds
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.