Rachel Bird by Becky Citra | Author Talk

Today’s episode is brought to you by…the snow day! It’s been another long while since I posted an episode of my podcast. Being back in the secondary classroom has left me still trying to find my groove. But! Today’s snow day seemed like the perfect opportunity to edit and post another episode. Thanks, Snow! ItContinue reading “Rachel Bird by Becky Citra | Author Talk”

Book Review: NO SON OF MINE by Jonathan Corcoran | Kathleen M. Jacobs

Thanks to Kathy Jacobs for bringing No Son of Mine by Jonathan Corcoran to my attention and for her review which highlights the struggle of rural folks who at once love their place while also seeing its flaws and sometimes being othered by it.

Spinning Toward the Sun Donates 100% of Profits to Rebuild Asheville After Hurricane Helene

Spinning Toward the Sun: Essays on Writing, Resilience, and the Creative Life is a new collection of essays curated by editor, Nora Shalaway Carpenter. A diverse range of celebrated authors, including yours truly, have contributed essays on writing, resilience, and the power of community when facing hardship. Contributing authors offer everything from personal stories to practicalContinue reading “Spinning Toward the Sun Donates 100% of Profits to Rebuild Asheville After Hurricane Helene”

Rural America’s Lovely Intangibles | Kathleen M. Jacobs

It’s a New Year, and we’re starting with a new guest contribution from West Virginia author, Kathleen M. Jacobs. In this piece, Jacobs reflects on things that are hard to put your finger on but make rural living worthwhile. Thanks, Kathy, for helping Literacy In Place start the New Year off right! When I wasContinue reading “Rural America’s Lovely Intangibles | Kathleen M. Jacobs”

Announcing the 2024 Winners of the Whippoorwill Award for Rural Young Adult and Middle Grade Literature

This is the fourth cycle of the Whippoorwill Award for Rural Young Adult and Middle Grade Literature, and it has been an eventful one. The Award has recently moved to be housed by The Rural Assembly on English Language and Literacy Education (TRAELLE, pronounced “trail”). TRAELLE is an assembly of educators through the National CouncilContinue reading “Announcing the 2024 Winners of the Whippoorwill Award for Rural Young Adult and Middle Grade Literature”

Vicious Is My Middle Name by Kevin Dunn | Author Talk

In this episode, Whippoorwill Award winner Kevin Dunn and I talk about the importance of rural voices in publishing, the impact that transactions of place have on identity, and the connection between DIY punk and rural culture. To learn more about Kevin Dunn: https://www.kcdunn.com/ For more info on the Whippoorwill Award for Rural YA andContinue reading “Vicious Is My Middle Name by Kevin Dunn | Author Talk”

TRAELLE & WHIPPOORWILL TO JOIN FORCES

If you’ve been following along on this little journey of mine, you likely already know that I (with the help of Rebekah Buchanan and other amazing colleagues) started The Rural Assembly of English Language and Literacy Education through the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as a home for rural ELA teachers and teacherContinue reading “TRAELLE & WHIPPOORWILL TO JOIN FORCES”

Vicious Is My Middle Name by Kevin Dunn | Book Talk

In this episode, I sit down with my buddy, Brian Brady, to talk about the Whippoorwill Award winning Vicious Is My Middle Name by Kevin Dunn which is about Sydney Vicious Talcott and her efforts to derail the construction of an asphalt plant in her new home in Appalachia. Here’s the jacket copy summary: WithContinue reading “Vicious Is My Middle Name by Kevin Dunn | Book Talk”

Read Appalachia Collaboration | June 2024 Book Recommendations

Happy summer and happy Pride Month! Love is love is love is love. No matter who you love and no matter where you love.  This month, in honor of love in all its beautiful forms, I’m recommending books for young people that depict and honor the identities of queer rural/Appalachians. I’m really passionate about thisContinue reading “Read Appalachia Collaboration | June 2024 Book Recommendations”