Mark Powell: An Appreciation

Abstract

Mark Powell:An Appreciation Ron Rash (bio) I've known Mark Powell almost a decade now, and I believe that he is the best Appalachian novelist of his generation. In an era where too many young writers believe shameless self-promotion is a virtue (I sometimes suspect there are MFA programs who have a course entitled "Networking 101"), Mark has chosen another path. He has quietly gone about learning his craft in the only way it can be learned: voracious reading and endless hours of writing. It is not the best career move, at least short term; I've watched young writers with nowhere near the talent Mark has be recognized nationally as "the best" of their generation. But I do believe that if a writer is good enough, the work will eventually be noticed, and, more importantly, continue to be noticed. My hope is that this issue of Appalachian Heritage will begin to bring notice to this superb young writer. [End Page 33] Ron Rash Ron Rash, the featured author of the Fall 2002 issue of Appalachian Heritage, won the Frank O'Connor award given to the best short story collection in the English language for Burning Bright (2010), his fourth collection. He is also the author of four poetry collections, most recently Waking (2011). His fifth novel, The Cove, is forthcoming in early 2012. He teaches at Western Carolina University. Copyright © 2011 Berea College