Novelist and poet Andrew K. Clark will be the featured reader at Mountain Wordsmiths' gathering on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. until noon via Zoom. The event is sponsored by North Carolina Writers’ Network-West.
Clark is a writer from Western North Carolina where his people settled before the Revolutionary War. His poetry collection, "Jesus in the Trailer," was published by Main Street Rag Press and was shortlisted for the Able Muse Book Award. His debut novel, "Where Dark Things Grow," is forthcoming from Cowboy Jamboree Press in September 2024. His work has appeared in The American Journal of Poetry, UCLA’s Out of Anonymity, Appalachian Review, Rappahannock Review, and The Wrath Bearing Tree. He received his MFA from Converse College. Connect with him at andrewkclark.com.
Andrew K. Clark
"Where Dark Things Grow," is Southern Gothic horror set in 1930s Southern Appalachia. Fifteen-year-old Leo is watching the world crumble. His father is missing and his mother is slipping into madness as she cares for Leo, his sick sister Goldfish, and two useless brothers. Relatives are no help, and the church folk have turned their backs.
When he discovers an enchanted wulver that has stepped out of ancient folklore that will do his bidding, he decides to settle old scores. Revenge is sweet, but Leo soon learns he can’t control what he’s unleashed. It takes his spitfire best friend Lilyfax to help Leo overcome his anger and try to escape the wulver’s evil. As they search for his father, Leo, Lilyfax, and friends are pursued by dark forces and pulled into a rescue effort to find and save trafficked girls rumored to have been taken by the mysterious Blue Man.
Featuring elements of folklore and magical realism, "Where Dark Things Grow" is a dark bildungsroman set squarely in the place and culture of the mountains.
Mountain Wordsmiths’ gatherings take place each month on Zoom. NCWN-West is continuing to stay in touch by using technology to share our writing. We offer writing events and writing classes both online and in person. Writers are enjoying the convenience and flexibility of Zoom meetings because they can join our gatherings from distant locations. Attendees are welcome to bring a poem or short prose piece to read during Open Mic. Please limit the reading to 3-5 minutes.
Those wishing to attend Mountain Wordsmiths may contact Carroll Taylor at vibiaperpetua@gmail.com or ncwngeorgiarep@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link. Our group is informal, and we welcome those who would simply like to listen to the beauty of wordsmithing. All who attend are encouraged to enjoy their morning cup of coffee or tea as we share our thoughts about writing.
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