Poets of the Pocahontas Hills and New Voices

Two programs will take place on Saturday, March 2, at the Hillsboro Library that will provide expressive outlets for those interested in creating prose, poetry and song.
New Voices is a series of creative writing classes sponsored by High Rocks and supported by a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council.  The first of the four free workshops is planned for the Hillsboro Library on Saturday, March 2, from 1 to 4 p.m.
According to Megan Moriarty, High Rocks AmeriCorps VISTA and organizer of New Voices, “Participants of all ages and stages will have the opportunity to learn new things and gain inspiration from readings, group discussions, and an afternoon of working on their own creative writing with the help of guest writer Mark Derks.”
Originally from Michigan, Derks holds an MFA in Fiction from Virginia Tech, where he taught introductory and creative writing. He currently lives in Washington, DC and serves as the fiction editor for Vinyl Poetry and YesYes Books.
Subsequent New Voices classes will be held April 20 at the Greenbrier County Public Library, May 18 at the Richwood Public Library, and May 25 at the McClintic Library in Marlinton.  
Those interested in attending the classes can register by contacting Moriarty at 304-653-4891 or megan@highrocks.org
Participants in the writing classes will be encouraged to stay for the evening program when the Hillsboro Library will once again host the Poets of the Pocahontas Hills featuring readings and performances of poetry, prose and song written by local writers and musicians.  
The event will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by readings and singing at 7 p.m.
“Poets of the Pocahontas Hills” had its beginning in 2010 with the successful Louise McNeill retrospective sponsored by the Hillsboro Library Friends.  McNeill, a native of Buckeye, Pocahontas County, was West Virginia’s Poet Laureate from 1979 to 1993.  The enthusiastic response to that poetry event inspired the Hillsboro Library Friends to develop on-going programs to sustain McNeill’s legacy of Appalachian historical writing and provide support and recognition to current area writers.
As for previous “Poets” happenings, the Library will be transformed into a cozy coffee house-like venue. Warm beverages and delicious homemade food will add to the ambiance.  
Writers of any family-oriented genre are welcome to participate. The atmosphere at these events is relaxed and supportive – first time readers and singers are especially encouraged to come out and share their writings and songs with the community.  
The event is free. For more information, contact the Hillsboro Library at 304-653-4936.