Carroll Taylor and Marcia Barnes to speak at the John C. Campbell Folk School

 Carroll S. Taylor, and Marcia Barnes, published writers, will appear at the John C. Campbell Folk School, 7:00 PM, August 15

Thursday evening, August 15, at the Literary Hour, Carroll S. Taylor, author of a new book, Facing Toward the East, will present her work at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Appearing with Taylor will be Marcia Hawley Barnes, author of Tobijah, chosen for Georgia's top literary award. A delightful children’s book which emphasizes that even though many of us are different, we are not alone.

Taylor's literary journey is a testament to her talent and dedication. With a remarkable portfolio that includes novels Chinaberry Summer (2013) and Chinaberry Summer: On the Other Side (2017), as well as the children’s books Ella’s Quilt (2023) and Feannag the Crow (2020), Taylor has firmly established herself as a prominent figure in contemporary Southern literature.

Renowned for her vivid storytelling and poignant reflections on Southern life, Carroll Taylor’s latest work, with its distinct themes of rebirth, redemption, and the enduring human spirit, is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

A retired educator with over forty years of experience teaching students from kindergarten through high school, Taylor continued to inspire young minds as a part-time instructor at Columbus State University, GA, where she taught essay writing, Freshman Seminar, and French. Now entirely devoted to her writing, Taylor channels her life experiences into her creative work, providing readers with a deeply personal and authentic literary journey.

Drawing inspiration from her upbringing in rural Georgia and her life in the Northeast Georgia mountains, Taylor weaves a rich tapestry of stories and emotions. The collection, her first venture into publishing a book of poetry, is a testament to her literary evolution and dedication to her craft.

"Many older cemeteries bury the dead facing toward the East for the Resurrection, but for the living, morning light represents a new day, a time for rebirth or redemption," says Taylor. "Who among the living will face the rising sun with fierce determination?"

Her poems resonate universally, appealing to readers young and old, especially those who cherish Southern literature.

Carroll Taylor serves as one of the NCWN-West Representative for the Georgia Counties that border North Carolina. She and her husband Hugh live in Hiawassee, GA. You can find her online at www.chinaberrysummer.com

 

Carroll S. Taylor

Writer, poet, and journalist Marcia Barnes stepped into the circle of writing in 2004 while living in Middle Georgia and never looked back. Her published books include “The Little Book of Secret Family Recipes” and two children’s books, “Tobijah” and “A Day with Tobijah.”  She also published a collection of poems, “Blackberry Winter.”

Marcia Barnes

Although research and writing occupied most of the day, moving to the mountains in the spring of 2009, to live on an isolated ridge opened up an opportunity to try new things like growing strawberries and an herb garden with a view.

     “And then there were the animals, the mountain lion I didn’t see, and the bears that were in view. It was always a gift to see deer, rabbits, a fox, groundhogs and many birds, even a resident whip-poor-will,” Barnes said.

     A member of North Carolina Writers’ Network-West, Barnes became intrigued when attending local poetry readings and began writing poetry. She has been published in Negative Capability Press, POEM, Slant, and Old Mountain Press.

     In 2016, Barnes began writing as a journalist for the Clay County Progress in Hayesville, North Carolina. Her columns include feature articles and reporting on local news.

     “Writing for the newspaper is never dull, never the same story twice. The best parts are the people I work with and writing for a publisher who considers integrity sacred,” she said.

     Barnes is co-host of Coffee with Poets and Writers, a monthly North Carolina Writers’ Network-West event. She lives in Clay County, North Carolina with her cat Celeste.