five more voices
~ five writers, each issue ~
generations of West Virginia creative writing
You're invited
to feel proud!
What is this?
Click the "About" tab
A sister site to Voices of West Virginia : Issue # 1
West Virginia is packed with wonderful storytellers and poets. It's part of who we are.
We aim to showcase a variety of West Virginians of all ages who turn out high quality creative work.
Each issue will spotlight five more writers.
This is a trial run. If you want it to continue, get on our mailing list. It's free! No spam!
Rebecca Harding Davis
courage in the 1800s
Anna Smucker
award-winning'
childrens' books
Bill King
unforgettable poetry
Lisa Hayes-Minney
sassy
rural journaling
Mia Hutchison
12 years old and
just getting started
Sandra Belton
If you enjoy this site, take a look at Voices of West Virginia . It spotlights 14 celebrated WV writers. After Voices went online last year, people asked for more. Five More Voices was created to help make that happen.
Sandra Belton is one of 14 writers featured onVoices of West Virginia. Growing up in Beckley during segregation, she loved the Beckley library because she was welcome there. She read every book she could. "But there was one thing that was missing: books about kids who looked like me," she remembers. She promised herself that she'd grow up and write those books.
She did it! At voicesofwv.org, enjoy an hour-long audio visit with Sandra and visits with 13 other wonderful writers who will inspire you and make you proud!
The five writers in this issue
Poet, fisherman, teacher, and father, West Virginia-lover Bill King found out he had cancer in 20XX. Looking at his beloved natural world through that lens, he produced a fierce, beautiful, insightful book of poetry, written in plain, heart-touching language. One reviewer said, "Bill King has given us an instant classic." Another said King "gives us a usable model for how to love this mortal place even as we know we are leaving it."
Treat yourself to six of his poems and a moving elegy from his writing compadre and friend, poet Doug Van Gundy. There's a writing exercise for every poem.
Elegy by
Doug van Gundy
In 1861, women writers were expected to stick to romance and sentimental subjects. Wheeling's Rebecca Harding Davis didn't buy it! She wrote about
brutal conditions in the iron mills and textile mills, domestic violence, and prostitution. Her first novel, Life in the Iron Mills, was a national sensation.
Wheeling had 13 iron mills at the time, and thousands of poorly-paid
immigrants walked the streets of Wheeling in a haze of smoke from the mills. Rebecca felt called to write what she was seeing every day. Her books amazed and shocked people at the time.
Kate Long, with big help from Christina Fisanick
Bridgeport's Anna Smucker has won national and international awards for her children's books. She didn't start writing them till, in her thirties, she heard a reading by beloved West Virginia writer, Cynthia's Rylant. "It was like a light bulb came on," Anna said. I thought, "She's a West Virginian writing about West Virginia! I could do this too! I have a story to tell!"
She wants to pass it on and inspire other West Virginians to write. Her page includes activities teachers and parents can use with her books.
Lisa Hayes-Milley has been issuing dispatches to the world from Central West Virginia for more than 20 years. After a stint as a Calhoun County reporter, she started a much-loved magazine called Two Lane Livin', then a blog called Two-Lane Renaissance. This woman has been making her way with words in the way-out country for more than 30 years!
Find out how she does it and treat yourself to some of her sassy, entertaining posts.
Laura Jackson
Mia Hutchison is 12 years old, just starting out. Stories roll through her head. She spills them out in pictures and in words. One of her stories won first place in the PBS Kids Writing contest. Meet this multitalented young West Virginian and explore the question: How can we encourage young West Virginia creatives like Mia?
We hope to feature a writer under 18 in each issue. If you know a young person with a passion for writing and impressive output, let us know!
Other stuff
Mia's drawing of a sheriff