CONTESTS
PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS
PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS
PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS
DEADLINE: 12/31/2024
KARI GUNTER-SEYMOUR
AUTHOR BIO
AUTHOR BIO
AUTHOR BIO
Kari Gunter-Seymour is the Poet Laureate of Ohio. Her poetry collections include Dirt Songs (EastOver Press, 2024) Alone in the House of My Heart (Ohio University Swallow Press, 2022), winner of the 2024 Legacy Book Award, 2023 ABF Best Book Award and finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award; and A Place So Deep Inside America It Can’t Be Seen (Sheila Na Gig Editions, 2020), winner of the 2020 Ohio Poet of the Year Award. A ninth generation Appalachian, she is the editor of I Thought I Heard A Cardinal Sing: Ohio’s Appalachian Voices, funded through an Academy of American Poets Fellowship Grant and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and winner of the 2023 ABF Poetry Anthology "Best Book Award". She is the executive director of the Women of Appalachia Project and editor of its anthology series, Women Speak. Gunter-Seymour holds writing workshops for incarcerated adults and women in recovery. She is a retired instructor in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University; the founder, curator, and host of "Spoken & Heard," a seasonal performance series featuring poets, writers, and musicians from across the country. She was selected to serve as a 2022 Dodge Poetry Festival Poet and is an artist in residence for the Writing the Land Project and a Pillars of Prosperity Fellow for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Verse Daily, World Literature Today, and on Poem-a-Day.
DIRT SONGS
AUTHOR BIO
AUTHOR BIO
In her third full-length collection, Dirt Songs, Kari Gunter-Seymour's poems are full-throated, raw, deceptively simple, and rippling with candor, providing readers an insider's lens into the larger questions surrounding the many aspects of Appalachian culture, including identity, the impact of poverty,generational afflictions, and the brunt of mainstream America's skewed regard for the region. Readers will discover a musicality of language, a stoic sense of honor, a richly detailed tapestry of experiences, and an inspiring display of humility and courage. Throughout the book there is an overarching determination to endure, to be the last truth teller left standing, arm raised in solidarity with the land and its people. Dirt Songs does what journalists and mainstream media have failed to do: provide a uniquely intimate look at landscape and family generated from within Appalachia, recognizing that one story cannot accurately represent a region or its people.
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
1. Your poetry often explores themes of place, identity, and resilience. How has your connection to Appalachian culture shaped your writing, and what do you hope readers take away from your portrayal of this region?
My connection to Appalachia is the wellhead of every word that I write. I come from a long line of self-sufficient, resourceful, hardworking folk. My father’s people arrived here in America nine generations ago and settled in Henrico County, VA and from there they made homes in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and then the Ohio Valley. My mama’s people also settled in Virginia, eight generations ago, in Harrison County, which became West Virginia and eventually they also moved into Appalachian Ohio. I could hardly get any finer Appalachian pedigree then these precious roots.
It is my hope that my work is adding to the conversation of setting things right, to re-educate the rest of the country, which has been sold negative preconceived ideas about who/what Appalachians are. I write about honor, endurance, courage, culture, love of family, history, lore, the land, and the way throughout multiple generations we continue to provide evidence of how even against the odds Appalachians continue to thrive and work hard to maintain our culture. We take great pride in our heritage—warts and all.
2. In today’s fast-paced digital world, poetry can often be overlooked. What do you think is the role of poetry in modern society, and how do you make your work resonate with contemporary audiences?
I think everyone in the arts has an obligation to record history as truthfully as possible based on their own experiences. We know that history books leave details out. Art holds history accountable. I write poems that I hope have the power to stir things up, create internal dialogue and therefore get external conversations started. I make use of every opportunity I am given to voice my truths. When I write I am not consciously thinking whether or not my work will resonate with contemporary audiences. I just want to speak as honestly as possible. I have been so blessed—right place, right time—so many people have reached out to me, guided me, lit my path. I want to do the same for others. My voice, spoken and/or on a page is one way I know how to do that. Call me a Pollyanna if you want, but I will never give up on trying to ruffle folks and instigate frank discussions around equality for all, starting with the basics: healthcare, education, nutrition. We can do this!
3. Can you share some insights into your creative process for this collection? Were there any specific challenges or breakthroughs that stood out to you during its creation?
I set aside writing time every Sunday morning, faithfully, and by that I mean, yes, it is my church time, but also the gift I give myself, this quiet time of meditation and concentration every week. I am one of those people who listens for the muse, so when she is being stubborn I use specific tactics to fire her up: list making, word maps, I walk outdoors or inside the house in search of unusual smells, sounds or textures that can trigger my creativity. I keep my ears open. Some of my best poems are based on something I overheard or was told, or when I hear someone like Maggie Rogers or Jason Isbell on Spotify.
These methods work really well for me. My goal is to write a poem a week. Let me be clear, some of these weekly poems are real clunkers, but I am often able to extract a line or two and begin a new poem. I am compelled to write and am acutely aware of how the writing heals me. That’s really the reward, the healing. The rest is cake and icing.
4. As a celebrated poet and advocate for Appalachian culture, how do you balance the deeply personal aspects of your work with broader social and political themes? Do you find that one informs the other, or do you approach them separately?
One definitely informs the other. I am often at odds with louder journalistic and political misunderstandings of the region, and I feel an obligation to address these afflictions, to push back. I hope my poetry does that. I take risks, take on tough topics like racism, addiction, war, rape, and domestic violence. Not everyone wants to read poems about these subjects, but I believe we all need to. I try to continue to grow, to represent myself and the region with dignity, exhibit grace like my grandmother taught me. I work at being a good listener and a good friend. I put all of this in my writing. But I want to say right up front that it is impossible for one person, or their work, to represent an entire region. I share what’s happening in mine. Those who want to get a truly accurate view of Appalachia need to read the work of many regional poets/writers.
5. What advice would you give to emerging poets who are looking to find their voice in today’s literary landscape? Are there any specific practices or experiences that have been particularly valuable in your own journey as a writer?
Attend live and online readings, a person can learn so much about voice and what is good poetry and bad poetry simply by listening, especially at open mic nights. Enroll in workshops. Write down topic thoughts in a journal. Read other poets, read and read some more. This is such a tough business, every poem straight from the gut, you need to learn to not take critique and/or submission rejections personally. Be kind. Be joyous every time someone you know gets published or lifted up in some way. I think what most of us really want even more than recognition is to find community. We all need to support each other and to be supported. Once you begin to practice it, communal joy can be lusciously infectious. No matter what, keep writing!
CONGRATULATIONS CATEGORY WINNERS!
Your contributions to literature have captivated readers and critics alike, earning you a well-deserved place among the best in the field. This year's competition was particularly fierce, with an extensive and diverse range of works showcasing talent, creativity, and dedication.
CATEGORY WINNERS--FICTION
ADVENTURE
ANIMALS/PETS
ANIMALS/PETS
TITLE: Tomboy And Tomgirl: Earth's Unconventional Superheroes
AUTHOR: Gavin Thomas
PUBLISHER: Gavin Thomas
ANIMALS/PETS
ANIMALS/PETS
ANIMALS/PETS
TITLE: Infinity Tales
AUTHOR: M. C. Ryder
PUBLISHER: M.E.C. Publishing
CHILDREN'S
ANIMALS/PETS
CHILDREN'S
TITLE: Digger the Colony Worker Ant
AUTHOR: Christian Kueng
PUBLISHER: Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
GENERAL
HISTORICAL
CHILDREN'S
TITLE: The War Ends At Four
AUTHOR: Rosanna Staffa
PUBLISHER: Regal House Publishing
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL
TITLE: Book of Dreams
AUTHOR: R. LeClair
PUBLISHER: WestBow Press
HORROR
HISTORICAL
HISTORICAL
TITLE: All the Monsters Are Here: Thirteen Spooky Tales
AUTHOR: Aaron Ray Ballard
PUBLISHER: Page Publishing
HUMOR
MUTLICULTURAL
LEGACY
TITLE: Tomboy And Tomgirl: Earth's Unconventional Superheroes
AUTHOR: Gavin Thomas
PUBLISHER: Gavin Thomas
LEGACY
MUTLICULTURAL
LEGACY
TITLE: Until September
AUTHOR: Harker Jones
PUBLISHER: Harker Jones
MUTLICULTURAL
MUTLICULTURAL
MUTLICULTURAL
TITLE: The MALA BEADS ~ A Novel of Hope and Discovery in a Time of Chaos
AUTHOR: Kathy Aspden
PUBLISHER : Kathy Aspden
NOVELLA
RELIGION
MUTLICULTURAL
TITLE: Who Will Rescue Us? A Love Story
AUTHOR: Judy DuCharme
PUBLISHER: Ambassador International
POETRY
RELIGION
RELIGION
TITLE: DIRT SONGS
AUTHOR: Kari Gunter-Seymour
PUBLISHER: EastOver Press
RELIGION
RELIGION
RELIGION
FULL BOOK TITLE: Quest for the Scroll…
AUTHOR NAME: R. L. Rinne
PUBLISHER NAME: Winged publications
ROMANCE
SPIRITUALITY
SPIRITUALITY
TITLE: Tomboy And Tomgirl: Earth's Unconventional Superheroes
AUTHOR: Gavin Thomas
PUBLISHER: Gavin Thomas
SPIRITUALITY
SPIRITUALITY
SPIRITUALITY
TITLE: Quest for the Scroll…
AUTHOR: R. L. Rinne
PUBLISHER: Winged publications
SUSPENSE
SPIRITUALITY
SUSPENSE
TITLE: Your Brain’s Still Flashing
AUTHOR: Jim Lively
PUBLISHER: Treaty Oak Publishers
THRILLER
YOUNG ADULT
SUSPENSE
TITLE: Your Brain’s Still Flashing
AUTHOR: Jim Lively
PUBLISHER: Treaty Oak Publishers
WOMEN'S
YOUNG ADULT
YOUNG ADULT
TITLE: The Death of a Diet
AUTHOR: Debbie Rae Triplett
PUBLISHER: Palmetto Publishing
YOUNG ADULT
YOUNG ADULT
YOUNG ADULT
TITLE: The Darkened Enchantment
AUTHOR: M. C. Ryder
PUBLISHER: M.E.C. Publishing
CATEGORY WINNERS--NONFICTION
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATIONAL
BIOGRAPHY
TITLE: I Drink Coffee and Make Shit Up
AUTHOR: Baer Charlton
PUBLISHER: Mordant Media
BUSINESS
EDUCATIONAL
BIOGRAPHY
TITLE: The Second-Best Business Book Ever Written: THE PURSUIT of THOUGHT LEADERSH IP IN SALES, MARKETING, and LIFE
AUTHOR: Tom Marks
PUBLISHER: Tom Marks
EDUCATIONAL
EDUCATIONAL
EDUCATIONAL
TITLE: An Educational Organizational Puzzle: Professional Learning Communities with Fidelity
AUTHOR: Dr. Natasha Cox-Magno
PUBLISHER: School Rubric Inc.
FAMILY
GENERAL
EDUCATIONAL
TITLE: Grandma, Tell Me Your Story: A Memoir
AUTHOR: Patsy Ohlau
PUBLISHER: Patsy Ohlau
GENERAL
GENERAL
GENERAL
TITLE: Naked Iron: An Improbable Quest in the Sport of Triathlon
AUTHOR: Craig Ohlau
PUBLISHER: Craig Ohlau
HEALTH
GENERAL
GENERAL
TITLE: UNCOVERING YOUR MIND: HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS AND ADAPTS
AUTHOR: HENRY OH
PUBLISHER: HENRY OH
HISTORY
INSPIRATIONAL
INSPIRATIONAL
TITLE: Black Woman: The Quintessential Embodiment of Hope (Rise Up and Walk)
AUTHOR: Michael James
PUBLISHER: HOPE (Helping Oppressed People Emerge)
INSPIRATIONAL
INSPIRATIONAL
INSPIRATIONAL
TITLE: GOING FOR IT!
AUTHOR: Paul Salfen
PUBLISHER: Clovercroft Publishing
MEMOIR
INSPIRATIONAL
MULTICULTURAL
TITLE: Black, White, and Gray All Over; a Black Man’s Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement
AUTHOR: Frederick Douglass Reynolds
PUBLISHER: Mindstir Media
MULTICULTURAL
MULTICULTURAL
MULTICULTURAL
TITLE: Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops
AUTHOR: Allison Hong Merrill
PUBLISHER: She Writes Pres
MUSIC
MULTICULTURAL
SELF-HELP
TITLE: Every Note Tells a Story
AUTHOR: Shie Rozow
PUBLISHER: Whispering Wind Media, Inc.
SELF-HELP
MULTICULTURAL
SELF-HELP
TITLE: You Aren’t Depression’s Victim
AUTHOR: Debra Atlas
PUBLISHER: BookBaby
RELIGION
SOCIAL CHANGE
SOCIAL CHANGE
TITLE: THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE 3
AUTHOR: Timeout A. Taumua
PUBLISHER: Timeout A. Taumua
SOCIAL CHANGE
SOCIAL CHANGE
SOCIAL CHANGE
TITLE: Stolen Voices: Missing and Murdered in Big Horn County
AUTHOR: Bonnie Bley
PUBLISHER: NY Publishers
SPORTS
SOCIAL CHANGE
TRUE CRIME
TITLE: Coming Home: MY AMAZIN’ LIFE WITH THE NEW YORK METS
AUTHOR: Cleon Jones, Gary Kaschak
PUBLISHER: Triumph Books
TRUE CRIME
TRUE CRIME
TRUE CRIME
TITLE: Saint Bloodbath
AUTHOR: Frederick Douglass Reynolds
PUBLISHER: DeltonRamsey, LLC
WOMEN'S
TRUE CRIME
WOMEN'S
TITLE: Seeing Life Through One Lens
AUTHOR: Dr. C. Denise Shook
PUBLISHER: Dr. C. Denise Shook
