Our things literary.
Lee Hunsaker returned to Roanoke to "live authentically" near the mountains and her family. She tells us about rediscovering her true love of writing and stories and the idea for a story hoedown that's grown into a tradition of Hoot and Holler storytelling evenings, featuring "Our Stories. Out Loud." "I really push for honesty and… Continue reading ★ Hoot & Holler’s Lee Hunsaker, On Profound stories and the support of a community (Podcast Episode 2.3)
A conversation with the thoughtful and prolific Cathryn Hankla adds to our collective thinking around Identity and Action. In this season in the podcast, we're taking a look at our engagement with the written word—how it shapes our sense of self and how we put that into action in the world around us. Cathryn Hankla… Continue reading ★ Cathryn Hankla on roaming with the self through books and LOST PLACES (Podcast Episode 1.5)
Identity and Action: A conversation with Star City Reads' Marissa Mazek Blankinship continues season one of the BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke podcast. This season, we're taking a look at our engagement with the written word—how it shapes our sense of self and how we put that into action in the world around us. What we read,… Continue reading ★ I might as well be hugging a book: Star City Reads’ Marissa Mazek Blankinship (Podcast Episode 1.4)
Roanoke Arts and Culture Coordinator Susan Jennings is retiring at the end of July. She was the first person to take on the role, and indeed, it was built for her. Formerly the executive director of the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, Susan made the move from Arts Commission member to City staff member… Continue reading ★ Art for Everyone: Susan Jennings’ lasting impact
Erika Joyner is an active community building presence in the Roanoke Valley. A native of New York, Joyner has worked in a variety of efforts to create a just and equitable society through anti-war, anti-racism, and cooperative efforts in Detroit and Virginia. A transgender woman, she's been in Roanoke for seven years. During that time,… Continue reading ★ Erika Joyner on the Power of Women Poetry Presence
Being a real fan of something can make life a much richer experience. You study it and learn its intricacies. It's an opening to new worlds. Then when you get together with other like-minded folks, things really start to happen. The energy is infectious. We learn from each other in a common bond. Understanding leaps.… Continue reading ★ On pace with Blue Hippo Poetry Club’s Sam Lafaye
Professor Jeanne Larsen of the Jackson Center for Creative Writing at Hollins University has published a new collection of poems, What Penelope Chooses (Cider Press Review, 2019). The work was, itself, chosen—winning the Cider Press Review Book Award. The San Diego press uses an independent judge to select one manuscript for publication each year and… Continue reading ★ Jeanne Larsen on WHAT PENELOPE CHOOSES
Christiansburg attorney Oneida Huntington has started an LGBTQ book club through the Southwest Virginia LGBT Memorial Library. The library houses, cares for, and lends books on LGBTQ+ subjects at the Roanoke Diversity Center. Gathering to discuss some those books just makes sense. But indeed, nothing happens without someone to lead the effort, organize folks, do… Continue reading ★ City Builder: Oneida Huntington rallies an LGBTQ+ Book Club
Roanoke's downtown bookstore has moved to bright new digs on the Market at 112 Market St., SE. "We learned in the move that books are heavy," said CFO Craig Coker. "And we learned that we have a lot of supporters who want us to succeed and were willing to help." The move might have only… Continue reading ★ Book No Further (than this) new location
In late September, Virginia Western Community College hosted a two-part presentation on Beth Macy's Dopesick. The local and best-selling author again filled the room. There were readers and neighbors, family members of the sick and dead. Some of those who were present are living a constant personal struggle. For others, the struggle is professional, and… Continue reading ★ Make Them Care: Virginia Western’s Carole Tarrant on tough challenges, compassionate responses and the role of the community’s college
BOOK CITY ★ Roanoke 