University to host “Celebrating Jeff Daniel Marion: Poet on the Holston,” April 15

^{Jeff Daniel Marion, (courtesy of Doug Berryhill)}

(April 5, 2016) – Carson-Newman University will host “Celebrating Jeff Daniel Marion: Poet on the Holston” Friday, April 15. The event is sponsored by the University’s Appalachian Cultural Center and English Department.

Free and open to the public, the 7 p.m. event will highlight the works and contributions of Marion, who taught for more than 30 year at Carson-Newman. His roles also included poet-in-residence, director of the Appalachian Cultural Center and editor of the Mossy Creek Reader.

The event will also mark the book release of “Jeff Daniel Marion: Poet on the Holston.” The book is a collection of 21 pieces that range from examinations of Marion’s poetry to considerations of his teaching career and influences on students, writers and artists throughout and beyond the region.

“This book is a timely reminder of what so many of us in Appalachia have known for decades,” said noted author Ron Rash, “that Danny Marion is one of the most important and influential writers our region had produced.”

The Rogersville native is the author of nine volumes of poetry and other writings. His works include “Hello, Crow,” “Ebbing and Flowing Springs,” “Father,” and “Letters to the Dead.” Marion’s honors include the James Still Award, the Quentin R. Howard Poetry Prize, the Appalachian Writers Association Book of the Year, the Outstanding Contribution to Appalachia Award, Career Achievement Award from the Knoxville Writers Guild, and the University of Tennessee Libraries Jack E. Reese Writer in Residence.

The event will be held at Carson-Newman’s Appalachian Cultural Center located on Russell Avenue in Jefferson City. The schedule is as follows:

2-3 p.m.
A Conversation with Jeff Daniel Marion conducted by Stephen Marion

4-5 p.m.
Book release panel and discussion for “Jeff Daniel Marion: Poet on the Holston.”

7 p.m
Jeff Daniel Marion Poetry Reading