A Tapestry of Voices: an East Tennessee Anthology comes to life on June 27

KNOXVILLE -- Several writers will share their poems, stories and essays published in A Tapestry of Voices: an East Tennessee Anthology at Ben Atchley Veteran's Home, located just off Pellissippi Parkway near West Bridge Business Park, Knoxville, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 27.

"The anthology offers works that share the flavor of East Tennessee," Joe Rector, local columnist and novelist, said. Rector is one of four scheduled contributors and will read his short story, "Cousins."

Judith Duvall, also a contributor, said, "I look forward to joining other readers in sharing our work from the Knoxville Writers' Guild anthology,  A Tapestry of Voices, a collection whose theme is diversity."

Diversity also will be reflected in the reading. The event's featured contributors are a collection of men and women of different races and ages reading both prose and verse. Duvall, who attributes much of her success to the support of fellow KWG members, will read her poem, "City Friends," and her short story, "Different Rules," both printed in the anthology. Michael Gill will read his short essay, "Strange Pigtails." Gill writes "Bluegill's Pond," a Knoxville entertainment news e-letter. Connie Gordon Green, a writer and gardener, will read her poems, "Living with Snakes," "Song of the Farmer" and "Pastoral."

The event will also feature a special guest. Jay Searcy will talk about his new book, The Last Reunion, about the Oak Ridge Class of 1952 and the history of the Secret City. Searcy is an national award-winning sports writer and feature writer who lived in Oak Ridge as a child during World War II. He has been collecting Oak Ridge stories most of his adult life.

The anthology is currently available for purchase at independent bookstores or at www.knoxvillewritersguild.org. Searcy's The Last Reuion is available on Amazon.com .

The Knoxville Writers' Guild meets the first Thursday of each month at 7pm at Laurel Theatre, located on the corner of Laurel Avenue and 16th St., Knoxville, Tenn. The building is handicapped accessible and meetings are open to the public. The purpose of the KWG is to: facilitate a broad, inclusive, and egalitarian community among area writers; provide a forum for information, support, and sharing among writers; help members improve and market their writing skills; and promote writing and creativity in the wider community through education, publication, and sponsorship of writing-related public events.

Published June 16, 2012