This year’s competition asked writers to draft an original, previously unpublished piece on the theme of our shared humanity.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.
Local poet revisits her father’s cocaine trafficking in latest collection
Poet Nicole Farmer describes her father as a true chameleon. “He went from the mean streets of Chicago to being a golden gloves boxer, studying acting with Lee Strasberg, appearing on Broadway and years being a college history professor before he made his bold criminal move to raise money he needed to open his own honky-tonk.”
Authors and poets on writing and mental health
One of the challenges in writing about trauma, says Asheville-based author Rachel M. Hanson, is that sometimes trauma is used as a narrative hook or way to build suspense. Her approach is to describe the traumatic event or situation right away, “so it’s not used as a teaser. What I’m interested in is the aftermath.”
Look Homeward: Tourism and gentrification in the time of Thomas Wolfe, 1900-38
Local historian and archivist Katherine Cutshall discusses the parallels between Thomas Wolfe’s 1923 play, Welcome to Our City, and modern-day Asheville.
Local poet’s new essay collection taps into the personal and existential
Pleasure, guilt, goodness, regret, confusion, self-respect and motherhood are among the many topics local poet and essayist Brit Washburn explores in her recently published collection of essays, “Homing In: Attempts on a Life of Poetry and Purpose.”
Poet Brandon Amico on capitalism, time and why you should ignore everything your high school teacher taught you about poetry
“I think there’s a sense from those newer to the form that poetry is something to be ‘solved’— that there’s a hidden meaning to a poem that requires the reader to find a clue or key and it unlocks,” says local poet Brandon Amico. “It’s hard to say where that sense comes from, but almost every young person seems to be taught that.
Year in Review: WNC poets and writers share their 2023 must-reads
To celebrate WNC’s 2023 literary accomplishments, Xpress reached out to writers Mildred Barya, Clint Bowman, Michael Hettich, Meagen Lucas and Brit Washburn. All five participants had new publications come out this year.
Look Homeward: The influence of Thomas Wolfe on River Whyless drummer Alex McWalters
We return with the latest iteration of “Look Homeward,” a recurring feature exploring the life, work and impact of Asheville author Thomas Wolfe on our area’s local writers, educators, historians and creatives.
Around town: The Odd Doll Exhibit
A doll show at The Odd. Plus, whirling dervishes at Warren Wilson; the return of Swannanoa Winterfest; and more.
Asheville’s mobile bookshops bring lit to unconventional places
“How do we bring literature to the spaces where people already are?” asks Jacqui Castle, an author and Lit Local Mini Bookshops.
Around town: Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam returns for 32nd year
Christmas Jam returns for its 32nd year. Plus, SART offers “pay-what-you-wish” tickets for its annual Christmas revue; 250 nativity sets on display; and more.
12 Baskets Café’s arts programs build community
The nonprofit’s writing, craft and visual arts groups forge a strong sense of belonging among participants.
Around town: A psychedelic circus comes to town
A local rock band’s musical circus at Asheville Music Hall. Plus, Asheville’s annual holiday parade; a new album from Blue Ridge Music Trails; and more.
Poet Evan Gray writes against Appalachian stereotypes in debut collection
“I think some folks definitely have assumptions about what makes a book or a poem ‘Appalachian.’ I find most Appalachian writing buying into some of the marketable stereotypes from the region instead of saying or doing anything interesting,” says poet Evan Gray. “I’m not interested in that.”
NaNoWriMo resources help local writers achieve their goals
“The brilliant thing about NaNoWriMo is that it’s not about writing a good book in a month. It’s about just finishing something,” says Asheville-based author Stephanie Perkins.
Around town: Day of the Dead
Asheville Sister Cities brings a Day of the Dead celebration to Weaverville. Plus, a moonlit paddle down the French Broad River; the return of Surreal Sirkus; and more.
Memoir explores parenting a child struggling with mental health issues
“There is so much pressure in our society for mothers to be perfect,” Batchelder remembers. “So when my daughter got depressed in high school, I wondered if it was my fault, what did I do wrong, what should I have done differently. Was I too much or not enough?”
Around town: An evening of scary stories from Appalachia
Seasonal regional tales at the Vance Birthplace State Historic Site’s annual event. Plus, the 14th annual Queer Girls Literary Reading; a new collection of poems from Hendersonville writer; and more.