Voices of West Virginia
Enjoy deep-dive audio visits with nationally-celebrated West Virginia writers
+ writing activities for all ages.
free!
Rest your cursor on the arrow (<) to the left of Jayne Anne to see a parade of writers!
These writers are from here. They are national award-winners, poet laureates and big-time storytellers. They grew up around not-so-famous people. They soaked up stories as they grew up.
​
On this web site, you can listen to these writers talk about growing up here. They give you advice about writing, and they read from their stories. After you listen for awhile, you might start to think, maybe I have stories to tell too. Or you might just feel good, getting to know these wonderful writers.
Research tells us that, when people have role models, they are more willing to try that activity. Here are 14 role models. There are hundreds more.
​
This website is based at Marshall University. These conversations first played on West Virginia Public Radio. This is good stuff.​​​​​
Describe your image
testimonials here
Jenna, Caitlyn, Alyson, Sarah?,
These guys have a lot to say.
The perception of West Virginia as a literary backwater was thoroughly demolished by these programs."
~ Graffiti Weekly
Original broadcast on West Virginia Public Radio
Funded by the West Virginia Humanities Council
​
Includes an hourlong conversation
with each writer from the national award winning WV Public Radio series
Visit each writer's home page. Hear their voices. Play or download a 58-minute audio visit with each writer. Or play shorter segments. Your choice!
* Play these writers' voices in a class or presentation. It's easy, and students love it. Each program is divided into downloadable audio tracks of 2 - 12 minutes.
* Download the transcript of each program, labeled with track numbers.
* Each table of contents helps you locate tracks that interest you: readings, advice on writing, childhood memories, etc.
Six activities pages of writing exercises for all ages: a chance to learn from our own great writers
​
​​
Intheirowncountry