Poet Tina Barry discovers a forgotten woman, and tells her story in “Beautiful Raft,” a work of fiction written as prose poems.
The Old Victorian Inn, Alderson, West Virginia
Mildred’s Garden characters Mildred Ruffner and Cindy Newton wind up their bed and breakfast tour at Old Vic, the Old Victorian Inn, in Alderson, WV.
The Preston County Inn, Kingwood, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the lovely Preston County Inn, in Kingwood, West Virginia.
Sitting in ‘Mildred’s Garden’ with Laura Boggess
“Mildred’s Garden” by Laura Boggess combines music, poetry, the beauty of West Virginia, and a refugee story into a delight of a novel.
The Beekeeper Inn, Helvetia, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the charming Beekeeper Inn, in the Swiss-American community of Helvetia, West Virginia.
Forgotten Classics: “Cane” by Jean Toomer
“Cane” by Jean Toomer is considered a modernist classic, compared favorably and critically to the works of William Faulkner.
A Novel About Hughes and Plath: “Your Story, My Story” by Connie Palmen
In the novel “Your Story, My Story,” Dutch author Connie Palmen tells an unexpected story of the poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
Forgotten Classics: “The Moon Is Down” by John Steinbeck
“The Moon Is Down,” the 1942 short novel by John Steinbeck, was disliked by U.S. critics, but it had a large impact in occupied Europe.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter Four, Into the Gray with Campfire Pies
Our fiction series continues as Carter moves deeper into the gray, with campfire pies. Join author Callie Feyen for chapter 4.
Forgotten Classics: “Understood Betsy” by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
In “Understood Betsy,” Dorothy Canfield Fisher wrote a timeless children’s story about growing up and self-reliance.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter 3, Snowflake Lights, Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and Pumpkin-Spiced Whoopee Pies
Our fall into fiction series continues with snowflake lights, Shakespeare sonnets, and whoopee pies. Join author Callie Feyen for chapter 3.
Adjustments Excerpt: The Dinner Party
In this amusing excerpt from Will Willingham’s novel Adjustments, a man and his landlady invite dates for each other to a dinner party, and a ruckus ensues.
Poetry and Healing: “Waiting for Neruda’s Memoirs” by Laura Boggess
The novella “Waiting for Neruda’s Memoirs” by Laura Boggess tells a story of a woman haunted by voices and healed through the power of poetry.
A Poetic Novel to Turn You Upside Down: “Lanny” by Max Porter
In “Lanny,” British author Max Porter bends literary and artistic genres, creating a work that’s about art and its wonderful and fearsome effects.
Ask Pearl: The Advice Columnist You Didn’t Know You Needed
You don’t know it yet, but you need a little Pearl Jenkins in your life. In a brand new advice column, Adjustments character Pearl Jenkins offers up advice on everything from etiquette to dating.
A Resource for Fiction Writers and Poets: “The Art of the Essay” — What?
“The Art of the Essay” by Charity Singleton Craig is not only for nonfiction writers; novelists and poets can benefit from it as well.
Desperation, a Speech, and a Sick Child: Dickens and “A Christmas Carol”
“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens transformed the Victorians’ understanding and celebration of Christmas; it has also transformed our own.
Reading in the Wild: June’s Pages
Come learn the secrets of being a wild reader. Or just share your June pages. Megan Willome leads the way, with her June good reads.
Novel, Poetry, Both? Max Porter and “Grief Is the Thing with Feathers”
“Grief Is the Thing with Feathers” by British author Max Porter is officially a novel, but it could also be poetry, or something else. And it’s wonderful.
Curious Book Club: The Curiosity Divide
Curiosity that finds its outlet in fiction could be the best way we have of crossing barriers and coming together in society. Our Curious book club continues.