Crystal Wilkinson

Same over here.

Ep. 51 | Poetry Corner: upfromsumdirt — Read Appalachia In the latest installment of our minisode series, Poetry Corner,  Kendra Winchester is joined by upfromsumdirt.

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!

In today’s episode @kdwinchester.bsky.social talks to @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social about his new poetry collection THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN’S WIFE. Have a listen!

www.readappalachia.com/blog/ep-51-u...

photo of The Shoes of the Fisherman's Wife poetry collection

screenshot of website's holiday sale banner advertising 40% off all books when using frosty25 at checkout

well, well, well... what have we here?

40% OFF ALL BOOKS (hard or soft cover!) AT UPK WHEN USING FROSTY25 AT CHECKOUT?

👁👁
hey... that includes my book!!
👁👁

& GOOD UNTIL JANUARY THE WHAT?!?!? 👀👀

www.kentuckypress.com

A new favorite!

Thank you!

What a great mini-feature on this new work by @toniannj.bsky.social, published by @kentuckypress.bsky.social Screen Door Press imprint, edited by @crystalwilki.bsky.social #ReadUP

Love it!

Thank you Library of Virginia.

This is a photo of me at 7:30 am this morning with Stefan. I have a love/hate relationship with Stefan's ass and my shoulder hates his guts. He's good at his job tho. Today he released me from his services and my shoulder is at 80%. I'll be taking over my own progress from here.

@upfromsumdirt.bsky.social

Congratulations on another great reading!

me in a blue dashiki with white trim standing behind a podium at joseph-beth books

copies of the shoes of the Fisherman's Wife stacked on a table besides two microphones

me, a white bearded man with dreadlocks and a shaved side of his head, sitting down to sign books. out of focus in the background is my granddaughter, alexus, and her fiancée, brooke.

me, sitting behind a desk with copies of my book piled on it as crystal stands behind me, leaning in and smiling for the photo.

well, thats one down... mightve had 15 folks in the audience (almost half was family) and i am grateful for all that came out tonight, thank yall. ❤️

and thank you to joseph-beth books & my publishers at upk.

a woman in a plaid jacket is shaking hands with someone ALT: a woman in a plaid jacket is shaking hands with someone

When your editor says "beautifully rendered" you allow yourself a little 5-minute victory lap and then get back to work.

in case it's slipped yalls mind...

Average sleep for the last month: Four hours

a man in a suit and tie is saying `` here we go '' while looking at something . ALT: a man in a suit and tie is saying `` here we go '' while looking at something .

Me: Gordon Ramsey says baking your overnight oats w/ walnut or pecans is a game changer!

Him: I thought you were saying something universal.

Chile, let me get to my writing desk.

a close up of a cat with the words muah i love you on the bottom ALT: a close up of a cat with the words muah i love you on the bottom

received & returned

That's an amazing one!

Shout out to the ppl who hand write letters and notes in careful cursive on lush paper. A balm. What small things are carrying you today?

What's In The BHT Office? Part 1: Praisesong For The Kitchen Ghosts by Crystal Wilkinson!!
If you are looking for authentic Black Cookbooks to enjoy some unique recipes, this one is for you!

Visit us at 222 Court Street, Portmsouth, NH to come check it out! www.blackheritagetrailnh.org

Kentucky Poet Laureate to speak at NKU next month Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson will speak at NKU’s Steely Library on Sept. 30. The event is free and open to the public.

Crystal Wilkinson will speak at Steely Library on Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Wilkinson is the author of “Praisesong of the Friendly Ghosts,” a culinary memoir that reflects on the familial history and unique recipes of Black Appalachian food traditions.
linknky.com/culture/2025...

Thanks for reading!

These are my people. Aunt Lovester's great-grandfather discovered Boneyville, Kentucky. Legends. Remember them. Remember us.

Sigh!

No.

Writer's Digest July/August 2025 Digital Edition When it comes to setting the scene, all writers know it’s a critical piece to ensuring readers have a clear grasp of what they’re reading, whether it be a physical setting in a novel or narrative nonf...

I have an article in this issue! Big thanks to Greg Michalson, @crystalwilki.bsky.social, and @davidjoy.bsky.social for sharing their advice on writing difficult scenes.

Feeling wobbly at my writing desk today, but thinking of the woman who helped raise me who is straddling this world and the next but going home today. She is 89. I'm writing about my mama but all my mamas come to me. I'm not steady at all but here. I'm here. Fingers on key board. I'm here.

Hospitals are strange places for trauma bonding. Shoutout to the stranger who tried to mirror my steps to the parking lot to tell me about the doctors drilling a hole in her niece's head. The image is with me on my pillow all these hours later.

One of my favorite writers once said he never married young because he was afraid he'd have to choose family or writing and he was scared of the choice he'd make.

Is writing a selfish act? Must we untether ourselves from family to get it done?