Understory Vol. 1 + Vol. 2 Anthology Bundle
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Both volumes of Understory, Loblolly Press's ongoing anthology of Southern writing, together in one bundle — $6 off the cover prices.
Volume 1: A Full-Color Anthology for Hurricane Helene Recovery. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina. Understory gathers 87 writers, poets, and artists — most of them from the mountains the storm hit — into a full-color, 189-page anthology of the work made in its wake. $1 from every print copy goes to Swannanoa Communities Together, which provides housing support, food access, and case management to families still recovering in the valley.
Volume 2: An Anthology from the American South. The second installment in the series widens the call, gathering poetry and prose from writers across the American South, chosen through an open submission period — work resilient and surprising enough to make us re-see, in some way, how the American South is perceived.
Includes one print copy of each volume.
Inside the Bundle
Understory: A Full-Color Anthology for Hurricane Helene Recovery (Vol. 1)$24.00
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina. Understory gathers 87 writers, poets, and artists — most of them from the mountains the storm hit — into a full-color anthology of the work made in its wake. $1 from every print copy goes to Swannanoa Communities Together, which provides housing support, food access, and case management to families still recovering in the valley.
Understory: An Anthology from the American South (Vol. 2)$24.00
Understory: An Anthology from the American South, Volume 2 is the second installment in the press's ongoing Understory anthology series — a gathering of Southern writers, chosen through an open submission period, brought together in one collection. The first volume answered a specific moment: work made in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
This volume widens the call, gathering poetry and prose from writers across the American South, inviting work resilient and surprising enough to make us re-see, in some way, how the American South is perceived.
I love the work this independent press is doing to gather in the souls and voices local to the American South who are living into a vibrant, community and land-oriented culture here. Honored to be a part of this one.
Short story: I literally love everything about this book. Oh my gods it's great. I couldn't recommend it enough to friends and family, especially people having a lot of guilt about not physically being there when Helene hit. Every single piece in it is great and as a whole has helped rewire my brain a bit about the guilt I was having. PLEASE read this collection. It will change your life.
Long story: As someone who grew up in Asheville and the surrounding areas, but then moved away as an adult, I wasn't actually there when Helene happened. It was super scary when communications were down, not able to get in touch with my brother or dad or friends, but physically I wasn't there when the storm hit. A lot of people died or went missing, homes were destroyed, businesses that I knew and loved as a teen closed down and never opened their doors again. RAD, which I always dreamed of having a studio in one day as a kid, was entirely under water. The region will never be the same again, and I had a lot of anxiety and depression about that and guilt for not "suffering through it the same" as everyone else did.
This book solved that.
Every piece in here is beautifully written, visually stunning, emotionally evocative, and a strong reminder that Asheville is still there. Artists and writers are still in Asheville. People are healing, the community is healing. We're all hurt still, and things will never be the same as they were before, but time moves on tragedy or not and the town would have changed anyway.
Two submissions to the collection that stood out to me were Leah Lawson's "I don't want to wear my clothes anymore," and Elliot Salzberg's "Merrimon Avenue" which really encapsulated the guilt and grief I've been feeling lately, but literally every single poem, essay, and photo touched a part of my soul and I couldn't pick a favorite if I tried.
I'll definitely be going back to reread this whenever that guilt starts to build up within me again, and I'm so glad I have something I'm physically able to hold and hug and read when I need to.
Seriously, if you haven't yet, go read this book.
I was anxious to read Pablo Miguel Martinez's story, Growing Zone. I read it twice, as it resonated with memories of San Antonio, Texas. I love it. I am reading the rest of the stories, and I am enjoying reading new writers. I facilitate a Senior citizen writing group twice a month, and we have excellent writers. I am encouraging them to submit their poems and stories.
Loved the depth of writing that also has the distinctive flavor of the American South! Wonderful use of visuals that enlivens the format. This anthology is a moving experience.
I am still reading but have truly enjoyed the wide variety of writing styles and stories told by the authors.
A truly stunning collection! A wide choir of voices that create a landscape in a new and exciting way!
Great anthology! The issue includes very interesting prose & poetry, and some unique and thoughtful visual art as well. Kudos to the editors and designers! Thank you for this important work.
Vulnerable and resilient images of brave beauty, An anthology that sings the blues of truth. Read it and dance while you weep.
This anthology is such a necessary work of art and I'm not saying that just because I'm featured in it. Knowing that this anthology came out of post-Hurricane Helene efforts makes it a collection built from resilience, care, and love.
Thoughtful curation and design — such a beautiful view of Southern writers and artists!