Where to Start Reading Debbie Richard
If you are new to Debbie Richard’s writing, the absolute best place to start is with her memoir, Hills of Home (2014). This prose collection serves as the perfect introduction to her narrative voice, her history, and the deeply rooted Appalachian themes that influence all of her subsequent poetry. Readers who prefer to dive directly into verse should start with her debut chapbook, Resiliency (2012), which lays the emotional foundation for her writing career.
Debbie Richard Books in Publication Order
While Debbie Richard’s books are self-contained and do not follow a continuous fictional storyline, reading them in order of publication allows you to witness her growth as a writer. Her journey transitions from initial grief and healing into a broader, structured exploration of life's transitions.
The Complete Publication Order
- Resiliency (2012) – Poetry Chapbook
- Hills of Home (2014) – Appalachian Memoir
- Pivot (2019) – Illustrated Poetry Collection
- Crosswinds (2021) – Poetry Collection
Breaking Down Debbie Richard's Works
The Memoir: Hills of Home (2014)
Published by eLectio Publishing, Hills of Home is Richard's signature work of creative nonfiction. It is a nostalgic and deeply personal look back at her childhood in rural Wirt County, West Virginia (specifically the communities of Munday and Walton). Rather than a standard biography, the book is structured as a series of vivid vignettes detailing rural traditions, local characters, and simple pleasures like frog gigging, county fairs, and community socials. The memoir was highly praised by Earl Hamner Jr., creator of the classic television show The Waltons, who commended its honest portrayal of Appalachian life. The book won Runner-Up for Biography/Autobiography at the 2019 San Francisco Book Festival and was subsequently translated into Braille for the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind.
The Poetry Collections
- Resiliency (2012): Released by Finishing Line Press, this debut chapbook was born from a period of intense personal caregiving. Written while Richard was caring for her ailing mother and processing the loss of her father, these poems serve as an emotional release and a tribute to the family members and childhood memories that shaped her life.
- Pivot (2019): Published by Adelaide Books of New York, this illustrated volume features artwork by Ashley Teets. The poems focus on turning points—both major and minor—that alter the trajectory of a person's life. The subjects range widely from domestic reflections to artistic performances, earning the book an Honorable Mention at the 2019 New York Book Festival.
- Crosswinds (2021): Also published by Finishing Line Press, this collection uses the metaphor of aerodynamics to explore how individuals navigate the unexpected shifts, turbulences, and conflicts of life. It contrasts peaceful nature imagery with the complex realities of human struggle and grace.
Reader Advice and What to Know Before You Start
Debbie Richard’s writing is highly accessible, avoiding overly obtuse language in favor of clear, resonant imagery. Her work is deeply grounded in the geography of two distinct regions: the rugged, tight-knit hills of West Virginia where she spent her youth, and the coastal landscape of South Carolina where she moved in the late 1980s. Because all of her books are independent, standalone collections, you are free to mix and match them according to your interest. We recommend pairing the memoir Hills of Home alongside Resiliency to see how the same childhood events are depicted in both prose and poetic forms.