Picture a poet weaving the rugged beauty of Appalachia with the salty breeze of South Carolina’s coast—meet Debbie Richard! This award-winning poet and creative nonfiction writer captures the heart of rural life, resilience, and the healing power of words. From her childhood in West Virginia’s hills to her soulful verses, Richard’s work is a love letter to community and the human spirit.
The Making of Debbie Richard
Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Debbie Richard grew up in the tight-knit rural communities of Munday and Walton. Her early years were steeped in the Appalachian way of life—think county fairs, porch sitting, and persimmon picking. After graduating with honors from West Virginia Career College in 1987, she followed her love for the ocean to South Carolina. It was caring for her ailing mother between 2009 and 2011 that sparked her serious writing journey, turning personal healing into poetic expression.
Debbie Richard’s Unforgettable Stories
Richard’s writing blends vivid imagery with heartfelt storytelling, often reflecting her Appalachian roots and universal themes of resilience and grace. Her memoir, Hills of Home (2014), is a nostalgic gem, chronicling her West Virginia childhood with tales of frog gigging and pie socials. It won Runner-Up in the 2019 San Francisco Book Awards for Biography/Autobiography. Her poetry chapbook, Resiliency (2012), showcases her ability to find strength in life’s challenges.
PIVOT (2019), an illustrated poetry collection, explores turning points in life, from quiet moments to profound realizations. It earned an Honorable Mention at the 2019 New York Book Festival Awards. Her latest, Crosswinds (2021), delves into the tensions between inner and outer worlds, urging readers to seek peace amid life’s turbulence. Richard’s poems, published in journals like Torrid Literature Journal and WestWard Quarterly, are accessible yet profound, inviting readers to share in her experiences.
Why Debbie Richard Matters
Debbie Richard’s work preserves the vanishing culture of Appalachia while resonating with readers far beyond its hills. Her stories and poems celebrate the strength of community and the beauty of everyday moments, offering solace and inspiration. By blending her West Virginia heritage with her coastal South Carolina life, she bridges worlds, reminding us of the universal need for connection and healing through art.
- Born: Parkersburg, West Virginia
- Key Works: Resiliency (2012), Hills of Home (2014), PIVOT (2019), Crosswinds (2021)
- Awards: Runner-Up, San Francisco Book Awards 2019; Honorable Mention, New York Book Festival Awards 2019
- Fun Fact: Richard is a member of the South Carolina Writers Association.
Snag Hills of Home or Crosswinds and dive into Debbie Richard’s soulful blend of poetry and memoir! Her words will transport you to the hills and shores she calls home.