Writers, authors, and publishers from across Appalachia will be in Berea next week. They're gathering for the Appalachian Writers' Conference, where they will hear from their peers and exchange ideas.
Recent cuts in federal funding to various arts organizations are expected to be a hot topic of discussion. Melissa Newman is the conference founder and organizer.
In an interview with Eastern Standard, she said these cuts have many authors and artists of all kinds second-guessing their work out of fear.
“It seems we are in a situation, which is exactly what this administration wanted. We're starting to police ourselves and each other. You use words like “unique” and “special.” It gives you pause, and it's why? Why am I starting to rethink that particular word? Why am I rethinking the title of my book?”
In the early days of the second Trump Administration, the Department of Government Efficiency recommended drastic cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Sherry Robinson is an author and one of those people who are concerned. She said she is afraid of where we are going as a nation.
“Artists, regardless of what area of art they are producing, navigate those human complexities. I think the more we defund the NEA or NEH, the harder it's going to be for artists to be able to produce the kinds of things that help us really challenge ourselves.”
Robinson will be on the team of authors and publishers leading the agenda for the Appalachian Writers' Conference.
The conference is scheduled to run from September 2nd through the 4th in Berea.
Hear more with author Sherry Robinson later this week on Eastern Standard on WEKU.
