Kentucky poet Joy Priest shares, in this conversation with Chuck Reece, how writing became both her salvation and her rebellion.

Poet Frank X Walker’s creation of the word “Affrilachia” sparked a movement that for three decades has celebrated Black Appalachian culture, challenged long-held stereotypes, and staked out common ground for mountain folks.

Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods tore up the small town of Old Fort, North Carolina. But its people are actually speeding up their plans to build a new local economy built on outdoor recreation.

Black History Month should remind us that the struggles of our brothers and sisters must become our struggles, too.

A tangled web of truth and fiction surrounds blues legend Robert Johnson’s alleged deal with the devil. Listen to how this quintessential Southern tall tale obscured Johnson’s genuine genius.

President Jimmy Carter’s ultimate lesson to us might have been his faith in faith itself.

Chuck Reece was a teenager when he first shook Carter’s hand, not knowing the man would transcend politics to become a global force for good. A few words from one Southerner about another’s century-long dedication to peace, equality, and human dignity.

Our editor-in-chief picks his favorite pieces from Salvation South in 2024.

Soul music wasn’t just about rhythm and blues—it was the soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement, breaking down racial barriers and fueling the Southern dream of freedom.

In a role reversal, Salvation South’s poetry editor Andy Fogle and editor-in-chief Chuck Reece showcase their favorite prose and poetry pieces from 2024.

As Salvation South marks three years of publication, editor Chuck Reece looks back at a stellar lineup of established Southern authors and fresh voices.

Salvation South talks to five Southern writers who can keep you awake, thinking “just one more chapter,” all night long.