1. What is a “literary trail,” and why did the Arts Council choose this approach to talk about North Carolina writers?

A literary trail is a way of organizing 18 “tours” highlighting adjoining towns which can be explored by car in a day or less. These tours feature historic sites where North Carolina writers have lived and worked; sites that figure prominently in the published works of North Carolina writers and other writers who have spent significant time here; libraries, bookstores and other venues where these writers take part in public events. This approach has been successfully used in two earlier collaborations with UNC Press--the Cherokee Heritage Trails Guidebook, and Blue Ridge Music Trails--as well as in the HomegrownHandmade.com website, and in other online resources currently in development that will highlight African American Music, Native American Culture and the Performing Arts.

2. How are the tours used?

Each tour highlights a handful of cities and towns across a small geographic region, easily covered in a few hours by car. Travelers can participate in any or all elements of a particular tour based on time or inclination. Those with an interest in a particular writer can choose a tour or tours with a connection to that person. Travelers already visiting a particular town or region for work or play can use the Literary Trails book as a resource for additional stops in their spare time—visiting a historic site, taking in a scenic view, visiting a bookstore or coffeeshop with a literary connection to a North Carolina writer.

3. What writers and areas are covered in the Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains website and companion book?

Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains consists of two trails covering 27 counties in the Western part of the state. Trail One is entitled, “The Southern Mountains: Place” and covers ten tours. Trail Two is entitled, “The Northern Mountains and Foothills: Voice,” and covers eight tours. These tours highlight North Carolina writers of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and plays.  The writers, past and present, gathered here either were born here or spent signficant time here. Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains is the first of three websites and companion volumes which will ultimately document the literary riches of the entire state. The second release will focus on the Piedmont region, and the third will highlight the Coast.

4. Why did the North Carolina Arts Council continue a partnership with UNC Press to publish Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains?

Both the North Carolina Arts Council and UNC Press are committed to highlighting our state’s unique culture and heritage and insuring that they will remain strong and vital. Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains continues a successful relationship that now spans three books. Our first, the Cherokee Heritage Trails Guidebook, was published in April, 2003. Blue Ridge Music Trails was published in June, 2003.

5. How does the literary trails project reflect the mission and goals of the North Carolina Arts Council?

The Arts Council works to make North Carolina a better state through the arts. In print and online, Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains adds to North Carolina’s cultural vitality by raising citizen awareness of our state’s talented writers of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and plays, makes our communities more vibrant by highlighting and celebrating their local literary people, places and landscapes, and builds creative and productive citizens by inspiring them to read, write, experience, enjoy and become a part of their state’s rich literary legacy.