BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB
Berea College’s Loyal Jones Appalachian Center is putting out a call for Appalachians to tell their story about how they thrive in the places they call home.
The narratives that are told about Appalachians, and West Virginians, on the national stage frequently do not reflect our lives as we live them today. The Loyal Jones Appalachian Center’s goal is to help new and different stories be told and heard by fellow Appalachians and across the nation.
They are asking for submissions for an essay contest that will shed a light on new and different perspectives of Appalachia.
Contest organizers share:
“Submissions should provide the author’s compelling life story that illustrates the challenges of coming of age, working, and living in the realities of family and community. If your narrative features personal success in the face of adversity, it will be advantageous to acknowledge the impact of community, community institutions, and societal factors on your life. The same applies in the other direction: family stories or stories chronicling a community often will benefit from a deeper look at your personal struggles and triumphs. We also welcome essays that link one’s personal story to social issues and solutions in the region and nation.”
The winning submission will receive a prize of $1,250, with a second place of $750, and a third place of $500.
Winners and finalists will have the option of being published by the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center on their website.
The contest will be judged by Silas House, an award winning, best-selling novelist and the NEH Chair of Appalachian Studies at Berea College.
Read the official contest submission information »
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