Kentucky
* Fiction:
* James Still (1906-1985): Known for his novels and short stories exploring rural Appalachian life, including "River of Earth" and "The Crested Mountain."
* Harriette Arnow (1908-1986): Author of "The Dollmaker" and "The Dollmaker's Daughter," which depict the struggles of Appalachian families during the Great Depression.
* Jesse Stuart (1906-1984): A prolific writer known for his poetry, short stories, and novels set in his native Kentucky, including "Taps for Private Tussie" and "The Thread That Runs So True."
* Poetry:
* Frank X Walker (born 1955): A contemporary poet known for his work exploring African American identity in Appalachia.
* Billy Collins (born 1941): Though not exclusively an Appalachian writer, his poetry often draws on his childhood in the mountains.
* Non-Fiction:
* Wendell Berry (born 1934): A renowned essayist, novelist, and poet who writes extensively about agrarian life and the environment in Appalachia.
* John Jeremiah Sullivan (born 1977): A contemporary essayist known for his powerful and insightful works, including "Pulphead," which features an essay about the Appalachian region.
West Virginia
* Fiction:
* John Grisham (born 1955): While primarily known for legal thrillers, Grisham’s work is heavily influenced by his upbringing in Mississippi and his time practicing law in the Appalachian region.
* Ann Pancake (born 1958): Author of "Strange as This Weather" and "The Thaw," which explore the lives of marginalized people in West Virginia.
* Lee Smith (born 1944): Known for her novels set in the Appalachian region, including "Oral History" and "Fair and Tender Ladies."
* Poetry:
* Rita Dove (born 1952): A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet whose work often reflects on her Appalachian heritage and the experiences of African Americans.
* Jim Wayne Miller (born 1934): A poet and novelist known for his works about West Virginia, including "The World at My Feet" and "The Great Cat."
* Non-Fiction:
* Rebecca Solnit (born 1961): While not exclusively focused on Appalachia, Solnit has written extensively about the region and its environmental issues.
* Gail Godwin (born 1937): A novelist and essayist whose work often delves into the complexities of Appalachian culture and identity.
North Carolina
* Fiction:
* Fred Chappell (born 1936): A novelist, poet, and short story writer known for his Southern Gothic style and his works set in the Appalachian region.
* Ron Rash (born 1952): Author of "Serena" and "The Cove," which depict the lives of people in the mountains of North Carolina.
* Poetry:
* Sylvia Plath (1932-1963): Though primarily known for her confessional style, Plath's poetry often reflected her childhood spent in the mountains of North Carolina.
* Nikki Giovanni (born 1943): A renowned poet whose work explores themes of race, class, and gender within the context of the Appalachian region.
* Non-Fiction:
* Elizabeth Catte (born 1985): A contemporary writer and historian known for her book "What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia."
* David G. Blankenhorn (born 1959): A sociologist and social commentator who has written extensively about the social and economic challenges facing Appalachia.
This is just a small selection of the many talented writers who have emerged from the Appalachian Mountains. The region’s rich history, diverse culture, and enduring struggles have provided inspiration for generations of artists and writers.