April J. Asbury

Poet

VA
Virginia US
Twitter/X: 

Author's Bio

April J. Asbury is a writer, educator, and editor living in southwest Virginia. She currently teaches English at Radford University. As a co-founder of the Highlander Literary Festival, she brought multiple authors to the Radford community, including Nikki Giovanni, Diane Gilliam, Bill Brown, George Ella Lyon, Kirby Gann, and Crystal Wilkinson.

After earning an M.A. in English and Creative Writing from Hollins, she earned her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Spalding University. She teaches classes in creative, academic, and professional writing, as well as Romantic literature, 18th-century literature, Renaissance drama, medieval literature, the work of Dante Alighieri, Appalachian literature, and folk and fairy tales.

April J. Asbury’s first collection, Woman with Crows, is available from Finishing Line Press. Her work has also appeared in Artemis, Still: The Journal, Gyroscope Review, The Anthology of Appalachian Writers, and other publications. She is available for workshops, speaking engagements, and readings.

Publications & Prizes

Anthologies:
Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Volume XII (Shepherd University, 2020)
,
Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Volume V (Shepherd University, 2013)
Chapbook:
Woman with Crows (Finishing Line Press, 2021)
Journal:
Artemis
Prizes won: 
  • “Off the Path,” second place Karma Deane Ogden Memorial, PSV 2021
  • “Uncle Allen,” third place Emerging Writers, West Virginia Writers, Inc. 2021
  • Advisory Excellence Award, Radford University, 2013-2014
  • "The White Horse," first place short story, Chautauqua Writing Contest in Wytheville, 2006
  • "Snowdrop in the Supermarket at Midnight," first place poetry, Chautauqua Writing Contest in Wytheville, 2006
  • Second Place in the Sherwood Anderson Short Story Contest, 2005
  • Finalist of the Hollins Literary Festival Fiction Prize, 1996
  • Winner of the Hollins Literary Festival Fiction Prize, 1995    
  • First Place in Short-Short Story in Abingdon Highland Festival, 1995

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Marilou Awiakta, Ray Bradbury, Kathryn Stripling Byer, Jo Carson, Diane Gilliam, David Huddle, Leatha Kendrick, Ursula K. LeGuin, George Ella Lyon, Sharyn McCrumb, Jim Wayne Miller, Crystal Wilkinson

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Appalachian
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, Children, Illness/Wellness, Mental Health, Schools, Teachers, Teenagers, Women
Born in: 
Pulaski, VA
Virginia
Raised in: 
Pulaski, VA
Virginia
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Nov 19, 2023