Jesse Stuart was a man of cyclonic energy and activity. He was a prolific author, a far-sighted conservationist, an active spokesperson for the people of his Appalachian homeland, and “first, last, and always,” said Stuart, “I am a teacher. Good teaching is forever, and the teacher is immortal.”

Stuart’s teaching career began in 1935 at Cane Creek Elementary School, a one-room school in Greenup County. In the years ahead, he would serve as principal of several Greenup County schools. In the 1932-1933 school year, he was the superintendent of Greenup County Schools. His teaching opportunities expanded in direct proportion to his fame as a writer. For example, in the summer of 1958, he taught graduate classes in the College of Education at the University of Nevada in Reno. Two years later, he taught for a year at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

Stuart enjoyed classroom teaching, but he especially enjoyed teaching writers. Between 1969-1977, he was the star attraction each summer at Murray State University’s Jesse Stuart Creative Writing Workshop. The program began with 58 students in 1969 and peaked at 78 students from 27 states in 1977. Students were drawn like moths to Stuart’s infectious light. During those summer workshops, he trained more than 500 writers and teachers.

Following Stuart’s death in 1984, the Jesse Stuart Foundation became Stuart’s institutional extension, advancing literacy by publishing and teaching for all levels. We have managed his massive literary estate, republished his books, promoted Stuart’s legacy, and offered a broad range of public activities including writing workshops in the last three years.

The 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop, an immersive writing event, took place April 17-18 at The Delta Marriott Hotel in Ashland. The workshop was well-attended and brought together acclaimed authors, educators, and literary professionals for engaging sessions designed to inspire, educate, and support writers of all levels. Al Cross, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, was the keynote speaker on Friday and offered another session the following day. Other presenters were the great biographer Carol Boggess, nonfiction writer Brenda Evans, editor and scholar Jim Gifford, journalist Keith Kappes, researcher and writer John W. McCauley, and book designer Adam VanKirk.

As a further benefit to workshop attendees, the JSF decided to publish an anthology of poetry and prose from workshop registrants, staff, volunteers, and sponsors. Thirty-nine authors provided a total of 57 pieces in general categories of poetry, essays, articles, and short stories that comprise our forthcoming anthology, “Song of Life: Poetry & Prose from the 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop.” This collection shares the work of both experienced and beginning writers.  We are pleased to be able to present this absorbing book that introduces poetry and prose as dynamic and diverse as Kentucky itself.

Here you will find pieces that examine what it means to be a Kentuckian, exploring the power of place, people, and change as it impacts our lives. Like all good literature, these pieces enter new worlds and implore us to look more critically at our own lives.

This book is the passionate product of many people. My co-editors, Gwen Akers (who writes under G. Akers), Linda Harbison, Brenda Evans, and I are indebted to the authors who provided work that was strong and, in some cases, brilliant.

Gwen Akers, a young woman from Ashland with a shining bright professional future, provided organizational and editorial leadership for the project. Her tireless work and her management skills allowed us to assemble an excellent manuscript in two months.

Linda Harbison, Brenda Evans, and I, along with Gwen, read and edited 57 submissions. Some were so well-written that they required almost no editing. Jesse Stuart Foundation staff members Judith Kidwell and Debbie Bustetter helped throughout the project. Adam VanKirk, the CEO of Right Eye Graphics in Ashland, designed a beautiful book that will be in print by September.  As soon as the book is available, we plan to invite the public to a launch party at The Delta Marriott Hotel in downtown Ashland.

By James M. Gifford
JSF CEO & Senior Editor

Jesse Stuart was a man of cyclonic energy and activity. He was a prolific author, a far-sighted conservationist, an active spokesperson for the people of his Appalachian homeland, and “first, last, and always,” said Stuart, “I am a teacher. Good teaching is forever, and the teacher is immortal.”

Stuart’s teaching career began in 1935 at Cane Creek Elementary School, a one-room school in Greenup County. In the years ahead, he would serve as principal of several Greenup County schools. In the 1932-1933 school year, he was the superintendent of Greenup County Schools. His teaching opportunities expanded in direct proportion to his fame as a writer. For example, in the summer of 1958, he taught graduate classes in the College of Education at the University of Nevada in Reno. Two years later, he taught for a year at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

Stuart enjoyed classroom teaching, but he especially enjoyed teaching writers. Between 1969-1977, he was the star attraction each summer at Murray State University’s Jesse Stuart Creative Writing Workshop. The program began with 58 students in 1969 and peaked at 78 students from 27 states in 1977. Students were drawn like moths to Stuart’s infectious light. During those summer workshops, he trained more than 500 writers and teachers.

Following Stuart’s death in 1984, the Jesse Stuart Foundation became Stuart’s institutional extension, advancing literacy by publishing and teaching for all levels. We have managed his massive literary estate, republished his books, promoted Stuart’s legacy, and offered a broad range of public activities including writing workshops in the last three years.

The 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop, an immersive writing event, took place April 17-18 at The Delta Marriott Hotel in Ashland. The workshop was well-attended and brought together acclaimed authors, educators, and literary professionals for engaging sessions designed to inspire, educate, and support writers of all levels. Al Cross, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, was the keynote speaker on Friday and offered another session the following day. Other presenters were the great biographer Carol Boggess, nonfiction writer Brenda Evans, editor and scholar Jim Gifford, journalist Keith Kappes, researcher and writer John W. McCauley, and book designer Adam VanKirk.

As a further benefit to workshop attendees, the JSF decided to publish an anthology of poetry and prose from workshop registrants, staff, volunteers, and sponsors. Thirty-nine authors provided a total of 57 pieces in general categories of poetry, essays, articles, and short stories that comprise our forthcoming anthology, “Song of Life: Poetry & Prose from the 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop.” This collection shares the work of both experienced and beginning writers.  We are pleased to be able to present this absorbing book that introduces poetry and prose as dynamic and diverse as Kentucky itself.

Here you will find pieces that examine what it means to be a Kentuckian, exploring the power of place, people, and change as it impacts our lives. Like all good literature, these pieces enter new worlds and implore us to look more critically at our own lives.

This book is the passionate product of many people. My co-editors, Gwen Akers (who writes under G. Akers), Linda Harbison, Brenda Evans, and I are indebted to the authors who provided work that was strong and, in some cases, brilliant.

Gwen Akers, a young woman from Ashland with a shining bright professional future, provided organizational and editorial leadership for the project. Her tireless work and her management skills allowed us to assemble an excellent manuscript in two months.

Linda Harbison, Brenda Evans, and I, along with Gwen, read and edited 57 submissions. Some were so well-written that they required almost no editing. Jesse Stuart Foundation staff members Judith Kidwell and Debbie Bustetter helped throughout the project. Adam VanKirk, the CEO of Right Eye Graphics in Ashland, designed a beautiful book that will be in print by September.  As soon as the book is available, we plan to invite the public to a launch party at The Delta Marriott Hotel in downtown Ashland.

By James M. Gifford
JSF CEO & Senior Editor