Celebrate the Holidays with Hometown Poems!
Featuring the poetry and photography of over 100 authors and artists in and around the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Hometown Poems: A South Fork Country Anthology of Poetry captures a portrait of small-town life in the Appalachian Mountains, created by and for the people who call these woods home. Since its publication on June 23, 2023, this community-based, collaborative writing project has helped raise funds in support of local arts programs and individual local authors.
This past year, Dandelion Scribes editors Cari Lynne King and Amber Sparks received first-time author scholarships to publish their debut poetry collections, thanks to the community support generated through sales of Hometown Poems. A third local author (and frequent Dandelion Scribes contributor), Angelia Ross, is the next scholarship recipient, set to publish her first book of poetry early next year.
Pictured here, local author Angelia Ross presents her work published in Hometown Poems before an audience of friends & neighbors.
Her very own book of poetry is currently set to be released in February 2025, entitled Shadows of the Heart.
Your purchase of Hometown Poems this holiday season will lend further support to our local authors, bringing their book projects to life! Proceeds pay for upfront publishing expenses, such as each title’s ISBN number and proof copies to review during the editing process. This allows our local authors to self-publish their own work, maintain full creative control throughout the journey, and distribute their books directly to our local community.
“With the help of Cheyanne, Hometown Poems, and our wonderful community, I was able to bring my dreams of becoming a published author to fruition. I have wanted to publish a book of my own for as long as I can remember. I thought this would be a distant future project and something that wasn’t attainable in the present. That all changed when I submitted several poems to be included in the anthology. This anthology, along with its creator, changed my life and helped me to find my purpose. I can now proudly share my words and my soul with the world. I can be a spark for people who may be struggling through darkness. I can give a voice to the silenced. I can make an impact on both my community and strangers around the globe. The world deserves to hear the immense talent that lies in the mountains of Appalachaia. With your support, this, and anything we all may dream of, is possible.”
“I am extremely grateful for both the opportunity to be published in Hometown Poems and the scholarship fund created from it. Becoming a published poet was a dream for 20 years and Cheyanne’s vision helped bring this dream to life. From the honor of being published in the anthology to the excitement of creating my own book– the experience with Cheyanne was wonderful. The scholarship fund took a huge financial burden away in the publishing process that would have otherwise hindered me. If you’re interested in helping Appalachian artists achieve their goals– please consider supporting the scholarship program by purchasing Hometown Poems.”
Each poem and photograph included in Hometown Poems has been carefully placed, piece by piece, to construct an uninterrupted narrative – a poetic reverie comprised of our shared stories of love, loss, beauty, heartache, healing, darkness, and unwavering faith. The result is a wholly original, 300-page work of art that will preserve our memories, values, and ways of life for generations to come.
More than anything, this anthology proves that art and spirit are alive in our hills, that each and every one of us has something special to contribute toward the greater project of being human – here, all together, in this mystifying place and time. This symphony of voices echoing together from every nearby holler and hillside reveals that we have something valuable, remarkable, and even magical to offer this world. In other words, our stories matter, and they are ours to tell.
Hometown Poems: A South Fork Country Anthology of Poetry is a gift to our contributing small-town communities, and to you – whoever you are, wherever you’re from – as you will undoubtedly see your own heart reflected in these words. We are all one, as much as we are each unique: this is our hillbilly anthem! Together, let us imagine a world in which such truth is our guiding light.
Contributing authors and artists: Abbie Duncan, Ace Glaspy, Adelynn Rivera, Alise May, Allie Wall, Allison Baker, Amanda Massengale, Amber Sparks, AmyLynn Arrington, Angelia Ross, Annie A, Anonymous, Artemis Moon, Ashlee Glaspy, Banner Ritchie, Betty A Hathcock, Betty Shreffler, Blue Heron, Bobbie Foster, Brooklynn Miles, Caden Chaney, Cari Lynne King, Carl Shafer, Charlotte Marlow, Cheyanne Leonardo, Chris Boyatt, Codie Lackey, Colton Cordell, Courtney King, Courtney Pratt, C. Turner, Dan Saint Dan, Debbie Stansberry Faires, drdeb, Dylan Ayers, Earl Rash, Eli Morrow, Eric Faires, Erilynn Griffith, Felicity Nelson, Flossie King, Fox, Gabriel Valladares, Ginger King, Grant Swain, Hannah Nelson, Harmony Elizabeth, Holly Daugherty, Jacelynn Sexton, Jacob Byrd, Jade Foster, Jaelyn Phillips, Jesse W. King, II, Jessica Rash, Jessi Carling, Jessy Morrow, Joseph Thomas Baker, JP Schuffman, Justice Glaspy, Kaitlyn Russ, Katherine Cross, Kerrigan Hart, Kristen Kilby, Kristen Reid, Kristian Obrusanszki, K-Roo, Laura A. Clift, Lisa Cotton, Makayla Sexton, Mark Hargis, Melissa Capps, Mellisa Pascale, Micah Keeton, Michelle Ayers, Moriah Bowling, Patricia Chace, Paula Leftwich, Presley West, Pyper Anderson, Railey Smith, R.A. Reynolds, R. Clift, Ricky Lee Jeffers, Robert Queener, Roland Russelburg, Rubyann Melton, Rylan Duncan, Sadie Bell Price, Sandra Tritt, Shane Gilreath, Sharon Leonardo, Simon Poe, Stephanie Duncan, Stephen Phillips, Tiffany Kimbrell, Trinity Smith, Ty Humble, Vega Rochat, Whitney Swain, Zack Smith, Zeke Harness
Order your copy of Hometown Poems today, and help support our growing body of local literature in the Big South Fork area! The price posted above includes the cost of shipping; no additional expense will be added at checkout. You also have the option to purchase your copy locally for $20 from the following locations: McCreary County Public Library in Whitley City, The Black Cat Antiques & Oddities Shop in Oneida, and Phillips Merle Norman in Oneida. Or, get in touch with the Dandelion Scribes editors over on our contact page to arrange local pickup.
And while you’re in the mood to do some local shopping, check out some of the other offerings in our poetry shop! Get signed and personalized books, shipped to you directly from the authors! Here are our newest additions:
Dandelion Scribes editors Amber Sparks, Cheyanne Leonardo, and Cari Lynne King, pictured above with their most recent book releases at McCreary County Public Library.
More about their new books:
Supernova Soliloquies: From the Darkest Depths to Blinding Brilliance by Amber Sparks is a star-dusted, explosive collection of science-inspired poetry, exploring the poet’s personal healing journey in two chapters: The Black Hole and The Supernova. Travel with Amber through galaxies near and far, and give her dazzling words a home in your heart.
The Book of Abstractions by Cheyanne Leonardo is the author’s 5th book of poetry, grappling with the evil & ugliness of our world in this day and time. It addresses many heavy topics including war, destruction, poverty, exploitation, oppression, and trauma. Each poem is titled with an abstract noun and seeks to add concrete details and specificity to concepts, ideas, and emotions.
Ink-Stained Memoirs by Cari Lynne King is described by the author as A Poetic Journey from Heartsick to Healing. Her soul speaks the words others may struggle to find. This book features works from some of the darkest days and the process of finding the light. If you've ever wanted to read someone's diary– this book is your chance!
SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT THE ARTS,
AND HAVE A BLESSED & BEAUTIFUL HOLIDAY!
𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘
With endless love & gratitude,
