Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson made her second visit to Women Writing for (a) change as guest author for this year's Annual Author Series, held on September 23-24. This year's hybrid event captivated both

in-person and virtual attendees.

Crystal read from her memoir in verse, Perfect Black, released in 2021, "which combines a deep love for her rural roots with a passion for language and storytelling in this compelling collection of poetry and prose about girlhood, racism, and political awakening imbued with vivid imagery of growing up in Southern Appalachia" (Authors Unbound).

The reading, Q & A, and exchange between Crystal and the audience was powerful. A book signing concluded the Friday evening reading. Thank you to the Bookshelf from Maderia for serving as the bookseller at the event.

On Saturday, Crystal facilitated "Mining Memories: A Multiple Genre Workshop on Ancestry," in which writers were asked to call forth their ancestors in a multi-genre approach to memoir writing.

Gratitude to Crystal Wilkinson and all who attended. This year's series was made possible by the Harris Family Fund.