In this insightful and entertaining episode of RedPubPod, Richard and Patty sit down with local author Chris Nelson, whose debut short story collection, Where You Are From, is already making waves. Chris's path—from bouncer to paralegal to English instructor to published author—is a fascinating ride through real-life plot twists, all grounded in a deep sense of place.

While many writers talk about “place,” Chris embodies it. If you pick up his book, you’ll see what we mean. He captures the slow rise and sharp decline of a small foothill town in Western North Carolina with such precision that you can almost see the empty textile mills and smell the rust of faded dreams. The writing is tight, haunting, and wholly authentic—a collection that entertains while quietly teaching a history lesson about what happens when industry leaves and doesn’t come back, when generations collide, when transitions make it hard to move forward, and when you realize not making a choice is still a decision.

In this episode, Chris discusses why he occasionally cloaks real towns with pseudonyms, how his friends and family reacted to seeing pieces of their world on the page, and what it’s like to reflect life in the Foothills with both candor and care.

Of course, having Richard on hand adds a layer of regional context (because, let’s be real, the man is a walking history book of all that is west of I-77). And yes, Patty had a moment with second-person narration. She may have called it fourth person at first, but hey, cut her some slack—she’s writing this in third person as she types. Or am I?!

This episode isn’t just about crafting short stories—it’s about reckoning with your roots: the good, the bad, and the beautifully complicated. And, while Lenoir might be his oppressor, what amazing stories come from Chris’s first tormentor.

Enjoy this one, friends. And if you’re from the Foothills, you’re going to feel this one in your bones.

SHAMELESS PLUG: Join Chris Nelson, Redhawk’s Patty Thompson, along with author Rhonda Browning White, for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and literary insight on Tuesday, June 10th at 7 pm at the Lincolnton Cultural Center, Lincoln, NC. The authors will read from their respective books and engage in a lively discussion about the writing life. They’ll be joined by Redhawk Publications’ own Patty Thompson, who’ll weigh in on the process of publishing and the state of small presses. It’s a free event, and you aren’t doing anything else! Come on out!

Where You Are From by Chris Nelson is available now from Redhawk Publications here!

REDHAWK PUBLICATIONS HOSTS:

Patty Thompson, Acquisitions Editor, Redhawk Publications

Richard Eller, Executive Director & Podcast Engineer

RedPubPod is thrilled to have Taste Full Beans as our premier sponsor in Downtown

Hickory, North Carolina. If you’re ever in town, swing by for fantastic coffee, food, and

Redhawk Publications books. Be sure to tell the awesome folks there that RedPubPod sent you!

Taste Full Beans Coffee, Tea & Café

29 2nd Street NW, Hickory, NC

(828) 325-0108

https://www.tastefullbeans.com/

Don’t forget to FOLLOW, SHARE, LIKE, & SUBSCRIBE to RedPubPod! Show some love for creative writing because carefully chosen words in the proper order really do matter. If they didn’t, there’d be no book bannings!

Check out our Facebook page here for our latest releases and featured events

Go to our commerce site here to see our entire list of titles available for sale

#RedPubPod, #RedhawkPublications, #ChrisNelson, #WhereYouAreFrom, #ShortStories, #ShortStory, #CreativeWriting, #Publishing, #Authors, #Writers, #NCWriters, #AppalachianVoices, #FoothillsNC, #CaldwellCounty, #LenoirNC, #WesternPiedmont,

In this vibrant episode of RedPubPod, we sit down with the brilliant and bold Maeve Fox, a North Carolina poet whose debut collection, Letting Go of Me, is turning heads and opening hearts. This convo is hosted by Redhawk Publications' own Patty Thompson and featuring special guest Jay Orlando (author of Tangled Lineage and featured poet on RedPubPod episode #033), and deepens into the power of transformation, identity, and poetic vulnerability.

Maeve shares the story behind her collection—a poetic journey that spans life before and after her transition—blending fierce honesty, Appalachian grit, and lyrical finesse. From birds crashing into windows to the wild textures of sound shaped by her synesthesia, Maeve gives us an unforgettable glimpse into her creative process.

Jay and Maeve chat about the power of writing communities, the thrill of live readings, and the beauty of letting poetry be raw, messy, and authentic. Plus, Maeve reads from her book, including the standout piece, “Of All the Things Before, After, and In Between.” Lots of chills and near tears as Jay surprises Maeve by reading one of her poems from one of her books; it’s a masterclass in hearing vulnerability in word form.

This episode is about more than poetry—it's about finding voice, honoring growth, and flying free.

Grab your headphones and get ready to vibe with the newest voice in Appalachian poetry.

Letting Go of Me by Maeve Fox is available now from Redhawk Publications here

Check out Jay Orlando’s collection, Tangled Lineage, while you are at it here

REDHAWK PUBLICATIONS HOST:

Patty Thompson, Acquisitions Editor, Redhawk Publications

SPECIAL CO-HOST:

Jay Orlando, Author

RedPubPod is thrilled to have Taste Full Beans as our premier sponsor in Downtown

Hickory, North Carolina. If you’re ever in town, swing by for fantastic coffee, food, and

Redhawk Publications books. Be sure to tell the awesome folks there that RedPubPod sent you!

Taste Full Beans Coffee, Tea & Café

29 2nd Street NW, Hickory, NC

(828) 325-0108

https://www.tastefullbeans.com/

Don’t forget to FOLLOW, SHARE, LIKE, & SUBSCRIBE to RedPubPod! Show some love for poetry because carefully chosen words in the proper order really do matter.

Check out our Facebook page here for our latest releases and featured events

Go to our commerce site here to see our entire list of titles available for sale

#RedPubPod, #RedhawkPublications, #MaeveFox #JayOrlando, #LettingGoOfMe, #TangledLineage, #Poetry, #Publishing, #Authors, #Writers, #NCPoets, #LGBTQPoets #TransPoetry #TransPoet #LGBTQPoetry #AppalachianVoices #AppalachianPoets #QueerVoices, #QueerPoets

“That’s what’s important about poetry; you have to wager something you can lose.”

Award-winning author Michael Loderstedt reveals the key to impactful poetry

Welcome to another episode of RedPubPod, where poetry, art, and a little bit of Southern charm collide in the most unexpected ways. Hosted by Acquisitions Editor Patty Thompson, this episode features a dynamic duo: poets Tim Peeler and Michael Loderstedt.

Tim, a writer since his college days at East Carolina University, kicks things off by introducing Michael, who he brought to the podcast. Michael, a creative soul from the Southern Outer Banks, shares how growing up on a quiet island (think salty air, vast skies, and lots of time to think) shaped Why We Fished. They bond over their love of art in all its forms—whether it’s the sound of a ukulele or a freshly written poem. Michael reveals the deeply personal inspiration behind the poem “Calling My Stepfather One Year After Mom Died,” and Tim gets into why good poetry isn’t about shock value.

It's not just Michael who has stories to tell. Tim, the son of a preacher and a lifelong lover of literature, shares how his upbringing in a book-filled house influenced his poetic voice and the inspiration behind Life and Times of Gudger.

Lastly, things take a fun turn when Patty asks the big question: What do these two poets think of Kendrick Lamar? Spoiler alert: Tim’s been a fan for years.

So, please grab a coffee (or something stronger; we don’t judge) and tune in to this lighthearted yet insightful conversation about poetry, art, family, and why these things come back to a good story. Trust us, it’s more than just words.

Check out Michael’s book Why We Fished

If you would like a copy of their new limited edition of Life and Times of Gudger, Tim or Joe can be reached at tpeeler4382@gmail.com

HEY! RedPubPod is thrilled to have Taste Full Beans as our premier sponsor in Downtown

Hickory, North Carolina. If you’re ever in town, swing by for fantastic coffee, food, and

Redhawk Publications books. Be sure to tell the awesome folks there that RedPubPod sent you!

Taste Full Beans Coffee, Tea & Café

29 2nd Street NW, Hickory, NC

(828) 325-0108

Don’t forget to FOLLOW, SHARE, LIKE, & SUBSCRIBE to RedPubPod! Show some love for poetry because carefully chosen words in the proper order really do matter.

Check out our Facebook page for our latest releases and featured events

Go to our commerce site to see our entire list of titles available for sale here

#RedPubPod, #RedhawkPublications, #TimPeeler, #MichaelLoderstedt, #WhyWeFished, #LifeandTimesofGudger, #Poetry, #Publishing, #Authors, #Writers #NCPoets