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"Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire" is a young adult novel set in Appalachia. Written by West Virginia native Don Martin, the book follows the story of a witch-in-training who uses her magic to help a forgotten mountain coal town. It was an instant New York Times bestseller after it was released last year. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Martin about the book and his podcast "Head on Fire."
Frank X Walker And Flood Stories Past And Present, Inside Appalachia
With utilities and communications down following recent flooding, small towns like Marshall, NC have been meeting to make plans and share information.Courtesy photo
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This week, Affrilachian poet Frank X Walker has a new collection of poetry that looks at Black life in Kentucky before, during, and after the Civil War.
We also check in with the people affected by flooding in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.
A new collection of essays and poems remembers the 2022 flood in Eastern Kentucky witnessed by writers trapped at the Appalachian Writers Workshop.
And bird watching only sounds relaxing. Sometimes, it can get a little wild.
In This Episode
Frank X Walker Explores The Civil War
Witnessing The Historic Flooding Of East Kentucky
The Historic Flooding in Western North Carolina and Tennessee
Endangered Birds of Appalachia
Frank X Walker Explores The Civil War
Poet Frank X Walker returns with his latest collection “Load In Nine Times.”
Courtesy
Kentucky poet Frank X Walker co-founded the Affrilachian Poets Collective to challenge the idea that Appalachian identity is defined by whiteness. He’s published several collections and now has a new book, “Load in Nine Times.” Mason Adams spoke with him.
The Historic Flooding In Western North Carolina And Tennessee
Flooding caused by Hurricane Helene has devastated communities across western North Carolina and east Tennessee. Courtesy Blue Ridge Public Radio
Hurricane Helene left many without water, power or cell service in western North Carolina and east Tennessee. We heard reports from Gerard Albert III at Blue Ridge Public Radio and Riley Thompson at WUOT about communities struggling and coming together in the aftermath of the flood.
Witnessing The Historic Flooding Of East Kentucky
“Troublesome Rising” features writers who witnessed the 2022 flooding in Eastern Kentucky first-hand.
Courtesy photo
Flooding is not uncommon in Appalachia. In 2022, parts of Eastern Kentucky were also ravaged. Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, an author from the Qualla Boundary, the territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina was at the Appalachian Writer’s Workshop in Hindman, Kentucky, when it was struck by the thousand-year flood. Her writing is included in the new anthology, “Troublesome Rising,” which compiles poetry and stories from writers who witnessed the flood.
B-P-R and Grist climate reporter Katie Myers spoke with Clapsaddle about flooding in the mountains.
Endangered Birds of Appalachia
Photographer and author Matt Williams hopes people who love watching birds can be encouraged to take a more active role in conservation.
Courtesy photo
Nature photographer Matt Williams hopes a passion for bird watching might lead people to conservation. He’s published three books of photographing wildlife, including his latest — “Endangered and Disappearing Birds of Appalachia and the Southeast.” Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Williams about the book.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Amethyst Kiah, Larry Rader, Jeff Ellis, John Blissard, Sierra Ferrell and Blue Dot Sessions.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Jennifer Goren. You can find us on Instagram @InAppalachia.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
"Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire" is a young adult novel set in Appalachia. Written by West Virginia native Don Martin, the book follows the story of a witch-in-training who uses her magic to help a forgotten mountain coal town. It was an instant New York Times bestseller after it was released last year. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Martin about the book and his podcast "Head on Fire."
On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey vetoed 12 bills that made it through the legislative process. We also hear the latest in the battle over which vaccines are required for school attendance in the state. And, a growing interest in data centers has the attention of people around West Virginia – both for and against.
This week, having a very specific talent can lead to a dream job. It’s how cartoonist John Rose got his foot in the door to draw the comic strip Snuffy Smith. Also, there are dos and don’ts for treating poison ivy. And, a young, old-time musician wants to save her family’s lost ballads.
For nearly 100 years, Snuffy Smith has been a staple of newspaper comic pages, though these days, it’s easier to find him online. Snuffy Smith was brought to life by artist Fred Lasswell in the 1930s, but now the strip is written and drawn by John Rose, who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke to Rose about drawing the famous hillbilly.
