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?”
Author: Thomas Calder
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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.
Asheville Archives: The literal and fictional death of a milliner, 1884
Despite her failing health, Cynthia Hill Wolfe owned and operated the Millinery and Notion Store during the final years of her life in Asheville. Though her death in 1884 did not inspire an outpouring of grief by members of her community, aspects of her life and personality were revived by Thomas Wolfe in his 1929 novel, Look Homeward, Angel.
Women in Business: It takes time
Kaye Bentley, founder and owner of Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours, reminds entrepreneurs that all businesses take time to generate revenue.
Women in Business: Know your values
“There aren’t a ton of women who offer both photo and video services, but we refuse to let that lack of representation hold us back,” says Eric McGrady, co-founder of Authentic Asheville.
Women in business: Take risks
“It can be difficult to take risks and know when the risks are worth it, especially with money,” says Laura Walton, owner of The Crunchy Baker. “For me in particular, I have a hard time seeing money as something to invest, rather than something to let it sit in a savings account ‘just in case.'”
Women in Business: Consistency and discipline
“It’s so easy to give up when you’re not getting the customers or clients that you want, or you’re not seeing a return on your investment,” says Tiarra Wilkie, owner of Groundbreaking Financial. “Staying consistent, disciplined and driven will play an integral role in your businesses success.”
Women in Business: Give yourself time and space
“If someone were passionate about writing and wanted to complete a manuscript, I would encourage them to fight every day to keep that dream alive,” says author Amber Nivens. “I would tell them to touch their project daily, even if it meant writing one badly formed sentence.”
Women in Business: Prepare for growth
“You have to prepare for growth before it happens,” says Melissa Blaha, owner of The Tax Raven. “It is hard to recruit, hire and train once you are buried under a mound of work.”
Women in Business: The importance of reputation
“Get passionate about your customer and learn how to serve them uniquely better than anyone else,” says Aisha Adams, founder and owner of Aisha Adams Media.
Women in Business: Never give up
“Surround yourself with other business owners and start-up types,” says Safi Martin, COO of Hood Huggers International. “Being an entrepreneur means looking at the world through a different lens — you need other people who see through that same lens cheering you on.”
Women in Business: You can’t please everyone
“If you start worrying about pleasing every single person, you’ll be playing the lowest common denominator of music in no time,” says Annelise Kopp (aka DJ Lil Meow Meow). “I like to focus on just a few people and move from there.”
Women in Business: Build a support system
“Starting a business is both mentally and physically draining,” says Marjory Rockwell. “You’ll need a solid group of people who will be there for you when obstacles come your way, and when everything seems impossible and you want to quit.”
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.
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.
Asheville Archives: City feigns optimism amid 11 bank closures, 1930
On Nov. 21, 1930, The Asheville Citizen offered its readers reassurance, following the unexpected closure of the Central Bank and Trust Co. — the city’s largest financial institution — the previous day.
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.
Asheville Archives: Local residents adjust to wartime daylight savings, 1941-45
“Clocks all over Asheville, Western North Carolina, and the state will be turned up an hour at midnight tonight, or tomorrow morning, as this state goes on daylight saving time for the remainder of the summer, as a national defense measure,” The Asheville Citizen reported in its July 27, 1941, edition.
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.”
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.