Sharyn McCrumb
Encyclopedia
Sharyn McCrumb is an American writer whose books celebrate the history and folklore of Appalachia
. McCrumb is the winner of numerous literary awards, and the author of the Elizabeth McPherson series, the Ballad series, and the St. Dale series.
Award and featured at the National Festival of the Book. The Devil Amongst the Lawyers (Thomas Dunne, 2010), deals with the regional stereotyping of rural areas by national journalists. The Ballad of Tom Dooley,(Thomas Dunne, 2011), tells the true story behind the celebrated folk song. In 2008 McCrumb was named a Virginia Woman of History for Achievement in Literature. Educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
with a Masters Degree in English from Virginia Tech, McCrumb was the first writer-in-residence at King College
in Tennessee. In 2005 she honored as the Writer of the Year at Emory & Henry College.
Her novels, studied in universities throughout the world, have been translated into eleven languages, including French, German, Dutch, Japanese, Arabic, and Italian. She has lectured on her work at Oxford University, the University of Bonn
-Germany, and at the Smithsonian Institution
; taught a writers workshop in Paris, and served as writer-in-residence at King College in Tennessee and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
racing fan McCrumb wrote St. Dale. Her inspiration for the novel came from her study of medieval literature at Virginia Tech and her desire to update Geoffrey Chaucer
's The Canterbury Tales
. It was Dale Earnhardt
who became the saint of her tale, complete with the Dale Earnhardt Pilgrimage of fans.
McCrumb was honored in 2008 with the Virginia Women in History Award and has had five of her books nominated for Virginia Book of the Year.
Appalachia
Appalachia is a term used to describe a cultural region in the eastern United States that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. While the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Belle Isle in Canada to Cheaha Mountain in the U.S...
. McCrumb is the winner of numerous literary awards, and the author of the Elizabeth McPherson series, the Ballad series, and the St. Dale series.
Early life
Sharyn McCrumb was born Sharyn Elaine Arwood on February 26, 1948, in Wilmington, North Carolina.Career
McCrumb is an award-winning Southern writer, best known for her Appalachian “Ballad” novels, including the New York Times best sellers The Ballad of Frankie Silver and She Walks These Hills, and for St. Dale, winner of a Library of VirginiaLibrary of Virginia
The Library of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, is the library agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its archival agency, and the reference library at the seat of government. The Library moved into a new building in 1997 and is located at 800 East Broad Street, 2 blocks from the Virginia State...
Award and featured at the National Festival of the Book. The Devil Amongst the Lawyers (Thomas Dunne, 2010), deals with the regional stereotyping of rural areas by national journalists. The Ballad of Tom Dooley,(Thomas Dunne, 2011), tells the true story behind the celebrated folk song. In 2008 McCrumb was named a Virginia Woman of History for Achievement in Literature. Educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
with a Masters Degree in English from Virginia Tech, McCrumb was the first writer-in-residence at King College
King College
King College is a private, comprehensive college located in Bristol, Tennessee. Founded in 1867, King is independently governed with covenant affiliations to the Presbyterian Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church ....
in Tennessee. In 2005 she honored as the Writer of the Year at Emory & Henry College.
Her novels, studied in universities throughout the world, have been translated into eleven languages, including French, German, Dutch, Japanese, Arabic, and Italian. She has lectured on her work at Oxford University, the University of Bonn
University of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
-Germany, and at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
; taught a writers workshop in Paris, and served as writer-in-residence at King College in Tennessee and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
Novels
McCrumb is the author of The Ballad Novels, a series set in the Appalachian mountains. These books weave together the legends, geography and contemporary issues of Appalachia, and each centers on an event from North Carolina history.St. Dale novels
In 2005, NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
racing fan McCrumb wrote St. Dale. Her inspiration for the novel came from her study of medieval literature at Virginia Tech and her desire to update Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer , known as the Father of English literature, is widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages and was the first poet to have been buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey...
's The Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century. The tales are told as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at...
. It was Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
who became the saint of her tale, complete with the Dale Earnhardt Pilgrimage of fans.
Jay Omega Science fiction pastiches
These last two titles are satirical novels set in the world of science fiction conventions and fandom.Awards
- Virginia Woman of History Citation - The Library of Virginia- 2008
- Library of Virginia People’s Choice Award- St. Dale- 2006
- Book of the Year Award- Appalachian Writers Assoc.- St. Dale- 2006
- Perry F. Kendig Award for Literary Achievement -2011 Blue Ridge Arts Council, VA
- Weatherford Award Nomination- The Devil Amongst the Lawyers, 2010; Once Around the Track - 2008
- Audie Award for Best Recorded Book - Ghost Riders- 2004
- Wilma Dykeman Award- East Tennessee Historical Society - 2003
- Outstanding Contribution to Appalachian Literature Award- AWA 1997-
- The Chaffin Award for Achievement in Southern Literature- 1998
- The Plattner Award for Best Appalachian Short Story- 1998-(Berea College, Berea, Kentucky)
- Appalachian Writer of the Year Award 1999- Shepherd College, WV
- Virginia Book of the Year Nomination- The Ballad of Frankie Silver - 1999- Library of Virginia
- The Flora MacDonald Award- for Achievement in the Arts by a Woman of Scots Heritage- 1999 (St Andrews College, Laurinburg, NC)
- Sherwood Anderson Short Story Award - “Precious Jewel” 1984
- Best Appalachian Novel Award- The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter- 1992
McCrumb was honored in 2008 with the Virginia Women in History Award and has had five of her books nominated for Virginia Book of the Year.