Mode of Program Participation
Performances and Arts
Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Eyes Glowing at the Edge of the Woods: Celebrating a New Anthology of Writing from West Virginia
Session Abstract or Summary
How do creative writers show fresh visions of gendered, ethnic, spiritual, historical, and future identities in Appalachia? Some of those visions are presented by the 63 authors in the new anthology Eyes Glowing at the Edge of the Wood: Fiction and Poetry from West Virginia (published in March 2017 by WVU Press). One of the editors will briefly discuss how compiling this anthology gave her new insight into how senses of diverse Appalachian places brings power to literary visions. Then three authors in this anthology will read an excerpt from their work, and discuss why and how their writing crosses traditional boundaries. During the final fifteen minutes of the session, the panelists will engage one another and the audience in discussion.
Presentation #1 Title
The Power of Place in Contemporary Appalachian Fiction: An Editor's View
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
An Editor of the new anthology Eyes Glowing at the Edge of the Woods: Fiction and Poetry from West Virginia (2017, WVU Press) will discuss how compiling the works of 63 contemporary writers who lived in West Virginia gave her new, surprising insights into how a deep knowledge of the local can create powerful writing, and how diverse writers present new views of Appalachian traditional and postmodern identities, including the impacts of current wars and veterans, the experiences of immigrants, the legacy of poverty turned into meth addictions and other realities, and the powerful expressions of gay, ethnic, and other identities previously in the shadows.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Laura Long co-edited the new anthology Eyes Glowing at the Edge of the Woods: Fiction and Poetry from West Virginia (2017, WVU Press) the author of two poetry collections, Imagine a Door and The Eye of Caroline Herschel, and the novel Out of Peel Tree (2014), a Finalist for the Balcones Prize, the IndieFab Award for Literary Fiction, and the Weatherford Award. She teaches at Lynchburg College in Virginia.
Presentation #2 Title
Writing "Belle Fleur": A Reading and Reflection
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
The author will read from and discuss her story "Belle Fleur," historical fiction that presents racial "passing" across Black to White color lines in early 20th-century Appalachia, and a portrait of a mother recalling an illegitimate child.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Marie Manilla’s books include the novel The Patron Saint of Ugly (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), winner of the Weatherford Award; Shrapnel (River City Publishing), which received the Fred Bonnie Award for Best First Novel; and the story collection Still Life with Plums (Vandalia/WVU Press). Marie lives in Huntington, West Virginia, her hometown.
Presentation #3 Title
Writing "Edna": A Reading and Reflection
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
The author will read from and discuss her published and anthologized short story "Edna", a distinct, visceral portrait of poverty, hope, and love set in rural West Virginia.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Jessie van Eerden is author of two novels, Glorybound and My Radio Radio and the forthcoming essay collection The Long Weeping. Her work has appeared in Best American Spiritual Writing, The Oxford American, and other places. Jessie holds an MFA in nonfiction from the University of Iowa and directs the low-residency MFA program at West Virginia Wesleyan.
Presentation #4 Title
A History of Barb Wire: A Reading and Reflection
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
The author will read from and discuss the title story to his collection, A History of Barb Wire, a groundbreaking work of literary and gay Appalachian fiction.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Jeff Mann has published three poetry chapbooks, five full-length books of poetry, two collections of personal essays, a volume of memoir and poetry, three novellas, five novels, and two collections of short fiction. The winner of two Lambda Literary Awards, he teaches creative writing at Virginia Tech.
The Power of Place in Contemporary Appalachian Fiction: An Editor's View
An Editor of the new anthology Eyes Glowing at the Edge of the Woods: Fiction and Poetry from West Virginia (2017, WVU Press) will discuss how compiling the works of 63 contemporary writers who lived in West Virginia gave her new, surprising insights into how a deep knowledge of the local can create powerful writing, and how diverse writers present new views of Appalachian traditional and postmodern identities, including the impacts of current wars and veterans, the experiences of immigrants, the legacy of poverty turned into meth addictions and other realities, and the powerful expressions of gay, ethnic, and other identities previously in the shadows.
