ISSUED: 12 September 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Cecelia Mason
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities will welcome its 25th Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence during the annual Writer-in-Residence program that runs September 22-29. Writer-in-Residence events will take place at Shepherd and will be available virtually across the state.
Ann Pancake, an award-winning writer and educator, will receive the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award on Thursday, September 28. The award is funded by the West Virginia Humanities Council, Center for the Book, West Virginia Library Commission, and Shepherd University Foundation.
Pancake is the 2023 One Book One West Virginia author. Her novel “Strange as this Weather has Been” is this year’s common reading book for the state.
Writer-in-Residence events include:
Friday, September 22
7 p.m.—Shepherdstown Film Society screening of award-winning “Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal and the Fight for Coalfield Justice,” a documentary by Chet Pancake, followed by a discussion. Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Join Virtually
Monday, September 25
7 p.m.—“Hope and Resiliency, with Performance Artist and Poet Torli Bush,” sponsored by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities, followed by reception and book signing. Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Join Virtually
Tuesday, September 26
7 p.m.—A Celebration of the “Anthology of Appalachian Writers: Barbara Kingsolver Volume XV” and Kate Long’s “In Their Own Words,” with Poet Laureate Marc Harshman and friends. Sponsored by the West Virginia Center for the Book and Shepherd University Foundation. Reception to follow. Join Virtually
Wednesday, September 27
11:30 a.m.—Ann Pancake Reading and zoom conversation with book clubs, West Virginia public librarians, and public-school teachers across the state. Join Virtually
7 p.m.—“The Writing Life,” with Ann Pancake, who will discuss her work, the writing process, her journey as an author and an Appalachian, followed by reception and book signing. Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Join Virtually
Thursday, September 28
7 p.m.—Scarborough Society lecture/keynote address and awards ceremony where Pancake will receive the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award and present the West Virginia Fiction Competition awards, followed by reception and book signing. Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Join Virtually
Friday, September 29
7 p.m.—“Stories to Touch the Heart,” with storyteller Adam Booth. Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Join Virtually
For more information, visit the Ann Pancake Writer-in-Residence webpage.
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