NCWN-West mourns the passing of a fellow writer and member, Donald "Newt" Newton Smith, Jr.

We at NCWN-West are saddened at the loss of our fellow member, poet, and treasurer, Newt Smith. He passed away on September 26, 2018.

Donald Newton Smith, was Emeritus Professor of English at Western Carolina University, and was the current Treasurer of NetWest and Chair of the Board of the Liars Bench. He taught many of the courses in the Professional Writing program at WCU as well as American Literature and Modern Poetry courses. Smith designed the Appalachian Literature course and helped create the Appalachian Studies minor at WCU. 

He was President of the Appalachian Writers Association for four years and had published both poetry and academic articles throughout his career. Smith was a founding poetry editor of Lillabulero magazine and press, the president of the Appalachian Writers Association, and was a Staff Writer for the Asheville Poetry Review.

 Please find the link to Newt's Obituary here:

https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituary/donald-smith-jr?fh_id=11748

News from Mary Ricketson: Call for exhibitors for ARTrageous Event November 9, 2018, at The Learning Center, Murphy, NC, where Former NC Poet Laureate Shelby Stephenson will perform; plus Stephenson will perform Sunday, 10/7/2018 at Malaprops, Ashville.

News from Mary Ricketson, Cherokee County Rep for NCWN-West

Would the NCWN-West community like to set up a book table of local writers for Friday, November 9th at ARTrageous, The Learning Center in Murphy's event, for exposure for NCWN-West to the community, possible sales, and talking to young writers? Contact Mary at: maryricketson311@hotmail.com. ARTrageous (see poster below) has a call for exhibitors, see: Calling all artists, at: http://www.naturallygrownkids.org/artrageous

Also, Shelby Stephenson , former NC Poet Laureate will be reading at Malaprops, Asheville, NC, at 3:00 PM, on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Stephenson will also be performing his poetry and songs on Friday, November 9, 2018, at 6:00 PM, at the ARTrageous event, at The Learning Center, 945 Conahetta St, Murphy, NC 28906.