Verna Mae Slone
Encyclopedia
Verna Mae Slone was an Appalachia
n author from Knott County
, Kentucky
. In the 1970s, she wrote what she felt was an honest account of her forefathers for her grandchildren. She had only a few copies of these accounts printed, never intending for anything to become of it. But after her grandchildren read the works, they enjoyed it so much they passed it around, and the writings built up so much popularity they gave Slone a chance to publish her stories. In 1979, her first book, What My Heart Wants to Tell was published by New Republic. Slone had always been a strong advocate for preserving the Appalachian way of life, disproving many of the myths and stereotypes that follow the culture.
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...
n author from Knott County
Knott County, Kentucky
Knott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1884. As of 2000, the population was 17,649. Its county seat is Hindman. The county is named for James Proctor Knott, Governor of Kentucky . It is a prohibition or dry county. Notable inhabitants include U.S....
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. In the 1970s, she wrote what she felt was an honest account of her forefathers for her grandchildren. She had only a few copies of these accounts printed, never intending for anything to become of it. But after her grandchildren read the works, they enjoyed it so much they passed it around, and the writings built up so much popularity they gave Slone a chance to publish her stories. In 1979, her first book, What My Heart Wants to Tell was published by New Republic. Slone had always been a strong advocate for preserving the Appalachian way of life, disproving many of the myths and stereotypes that follow the culture.