Mountain Word Writers Group will give a reading of selected works on Saturday, August 16 at 11 a.m. at City Lights Bookstore, 3 East Jackson St., Sylva. This diverse group of local writers has been meeting weekly at City Lights since January, 2023. Presenting work will be Louise Runyon, Erin Smith, Jim Howe, Mae Miner and Scott Cornwell.
This year’s offerings include explorations of the history of violence and peace in one family, the merging of art and science, a hopeful outlook from hospice, a woman with a master’s degree who wants to be a plumber, and children running unknowingly towards war. Mountain Word Writers Group is currently full, but open by invitation as space becomes available. Interested writers may contact
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Scott Cornwell of Franklin is a veterinarian, with a long career as an army veterinarian. In a deployment to Bosnia in the 90s, he developed a strong affinity for that country and its people, and has made numerous return trips. He is writing a memoir about his times there. Scott has also delved into a deep exploration of poetry that studies the relationship of art and science.
Jim Howe worked as a community organizer, social justice worker and human relations specialist in Miami before retiring to mountain life in 2007. He is working on a book about his family's history as pioneers in South Florida and how it shaped him, moving from a family of boxers toward a life of peacemaking.
Mae Miner spent 56 years as a nurse and has been writing for many years; her work in hospice care has been a particular influence. Mae writes poetry, non-fiction and fiction, and is the author of Pastor Beloved: Finding the Spiritual in Religion, available at City Lights.
Louise Runyon, group facilitator, is a poet with deep roots in Western North Carolina. Also a dancer and choreographer, she has published five books of poems and has “a gift for connecting generations… and bridging gaps divided by race, language, and culture.” All of her books are available at City Lights. www.louiserunyonperformance.com.
Erin Smith writes fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. Her short play Poor Man’s Supper was presented by Calliope Stage in 2024, and her work has appeared in The Sun Magazine, The New York Times, and North Carolina Literary Review. Her writing is inspired in part by teaching on the Qualla Boundary, and her novel-in-progress explores mother/daughter relationships and the role of the military spouse.
You may also like the following events from City Lights Bookstore:
- Next month, 7th August, 06:00 pm, Natalie C. Anderson: THAT KIND OF GIRL in Sylva
- Next month, 9th August, 03:00 pm, Poetry with Mackenzie Kozak, Brit Washburn, & Michael Dechane in Sylva
- Next month, 23rd August, 03:00 pm, Michael Hettich & Sebastian Matthews in Sylva
Also check out other
Arts events in Sylva,
Literary Art events in Sylva,
Nonprofit events in Sylva.
