Gurney Norman is professor English and Director of Creative Writing at the University of Kentucky. He is the author of Ancient Creek: A Folktale, the novel Divine Right's Trip, the short-story collection Kinfolks, and co-editor of the essay collections Back Talk from an American Region: Confronting Appalachian Stereotypes and An American Vein: Critical Readings in Appalachian Literature. Norman is widely recognized for his writing, teaching and cultural work in the Appalachian region. He was appointed Kentucky Poet Laureate (2009-2010). In 2011, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Berea College.
Ed McClanahan is the author of several books, and his writing has appeared in Esquire, Rolling Stone, and Playboy. McClanahan has taught English and creative writing at Oregon State University, Stanford University, the University of Montana, and the University of Kentucky. He and his wife live in Lexington, Kentucky.
