Ellender Rose Webster comes from a family of Southern Appalachian writers, musicians, and storytellers. As a child she assisted her grandmother in collecting folklore in Southwest Virginia, particularly ghost stories and monster tales. She tells tales from her rural Appalachian childhood, events from her years in the US Navy and other sea stories, and myths from her Native American heritage. She also loves relating spooky selections from her family collection.
Kiesa Kay, poet and playwright, learned the art of storytelling from her mother, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. She found fairy tales and creation myths in boxes of books from an auction. Her works have been performed in venues in seven states, including Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Berea College in Kentucky, and La Mama Experimental Theater in…
Introducing Samuel Smith, a fresh voice in the realm of Appalachian storytelling, hailing from the enchanting town of Mountain City, Tennessee. For the past 25 years, Samuel has dedicated himself to educating young minds as a high school Spanish teacher, nurturing a love for language and culture in his students. Now, he embarks on a…
Some folks say that Judy was just naturally born talking and has never quit. She inherited her love of words and books from her writer mother and her appreciation of tall tales from her Father. Her inspiration for her “down home” stories come from a multitude of different, and possibly strange, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends…
Sherrie grew up in Jonesborough with a large extended family hearing stories of farm life and old family values. Her Granny Dunn and other special family members had a major impact on her life. After a successful career in accounting, project management, and marketing Sherrie had the desire to convert her business communications skills so…
Emily finally realized what connects her various work in veterinary medicine, classroom teaching, and magazine publishing—it’s communication, and it’s storytelling. So she recently completed her Master’s studying both at ETSU. She currently splits her time writing, researching, performing, crafting, medicating cats, baking for her loved ones, and hanging out with her partner in their cozy…
“Guerry has performed her stories in concert, for conventions, cruises, festivals, church services, student groups of all ages, and house concerts. Themes include folk tales, fairy tales, personal stories, tall tales, roasts, humor, and fantasy. Guerry believes the beauty of this very personal communication shines as it moves through healing, joy, learning, and…
