Participation Type
Reading
Session Title
A Reading from Unbroken Circle: Stories of Cultural Diversity in the South
Session Abstract or Summary
Southern people as varied as the Southern landscape, from the mountains of Appalachia to the deltas of Mississippi to the skyscrapers of Atlanta. We are black, white, Latino, Native American, Middle Eastern, Asian, and multiracial. We are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, atheist and agnostic. We are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, straight, and questioning. We are urban and rural, old and young, poor and rich, and all points in between. We are all these things, plus more that don’t fit into neat categories. The voices in Unbroken Cirlcle: Stories of Cultural Diversity in the South (Bottom Dog Press, 2017) represent some of the diverse voices of our region. This reading will feature four authors whose work is included in this thought-provoking anthology.
Presentation #1 Title
A Reading by Melanie Haws
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Melanie Haws will read from her short story "You Never Told Me."
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Melanie Haws is a life-long Knoxvillian. As a fiftieth birthday present to herself she enrolled in Spalding University's low-residency MFA to pursue her lifelong desire to study writing fiction.
Presentation #2 Title
a reading by Jeff Mann
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
Jeff Mann will read from his essay "A Big Queer Convocation."
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Jeff Mann grew up in Hinton, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia University. He is the author of five books of poetry, two collections of essays, five novels, and the memoir Loving Mountains, Loving Men. He teaches creative writing at Virginia Tech.
Presentation #3 Title
a reading by Anne Whitehouse
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
Anne Whitehouse will read from her short story "Abby."
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Anne Whitehouse was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and grew up there during the Civil Rights era. She is the author of six poetry collections as well as a novel, Fall Love.
Presentation #4 Title
a reading by Katie Winkler
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
Katie Winkler will read from her short story "I Have Not Yet Returned."
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Katie Winkler teaches composition and literature at a community college in the mountains of North Carolina. Her fiction has appeared in numerous print and online publications.
Conference Subthemes
Diversity and Inclusion
A Reading by Melanie Haws
Melanie Haws will read from her short story "You Never Told Me."
