Appalachian Studies Association Conference 2026

Session 5.6

What does it mean to be an Appalachian writer? How long does a person have to live in Appalachia to claim the identity? Who gets to decide who has an 'authentic' Appalachian voice?

In this workshop, we will explore how the places we come from shape who we are as writers and creative individuals in indelible (and sometimes invisible) ways. Through a series of writing exercises and prompts, we'll encourage participants to explore their own backstory in order to unearth new insights about the relationship between their Appalachian roots and their own unique creative voice. Whether you write memoir, nonfiction/academic, literary or speculative fiction, we will challenge you to think outside the box about how your Appalachian identity can inform and influence your work, with the goal of expanding the definition of what it means to be an "authentic" Appalachian writer.

We'll talk about what literacy scholar Sara-Webb-Sunderhasu calls "tellable" vs "untellable" narratives, how the majority culture's notion of "tellable" Appalachian narratives so often seeps into our unconsciousness (and those of our students) and keeps us silent or sidelined.

Finally, we'll discuss prompts and activities that educators can use to empower students (of any major) to discuss and embrace their unique Appalachian voice. Participants will receive a handout on diverse rural resources and suggested mentor texts. The session will end with a Q&A.