February is a crucial and celebratory month for rural writers, marked by the release of major rural anthologies and peak submission periods for both regional youth writing contests and prominent literary fellowships.

Specific opportunities, publications, and communities to follow include:

• The Milk House: prominent rural literature organization that publishes high-quality country writing; they celebrate the month by announcing the overall winner of the Best in Rural Writing Contest and releasing the subsequent print anthology

• Literacy In Place: hosted by Dr. Chea Parton, this educational platform frequently publishes the winners of their Rural Teen Writing Contest and releases special podcast episodes focused on rural Young Adult literature (YAL)

• Boyd’s Station: located in rural Kentucky, this organization hosts the Mary Withers Rural Writing Fellowship; the early part of the year is dedicated to reviewing student and emerging journalist applications submitted by the deadline

• Rural Fiction Magazine: dedicated online publication that publishes short stories, poetry, and flash fiction capturing the modern rural experience

Daily Yonder Rural Culture

For a broader, independent look at regional arts and literature funding, you can track the Daily Yonder Rural Culture coverage. Whether it is arts and entertainment, food, or recreation, the Daily Yonder is dedicated to highlighting the richness of life in rural communities.

Core themes in their culture coverage include:

• Living traditions: features on time-honored and emerging practices—from Appalachian weaving and seed saving to hip-hop music and gun-art blacksmithing

• Arts and entertainment: news, reviews, and cultural criticism of how rural life is depicted in media and pop culture

• Commentary and essays: first-person and analytical perspectives from rural residents, educators, and community leaders

You can explore their latest articles and multimedia projects via these platforms:

• Read the latest short stories: browse their complete Rural Culture Coverage for recent arts reviews and living traditions reporting

• Listen to Yonder Radio: tune in to the Yonder Radio broadcast for weekly conversations about rural culture, child care, and Appalachian history

• Subscribe to the Yonder newsletter: sign up for The Good, the Bad, and the Elegy newsletter to track rural pop culture and media portrayals

Sources

The Milk House

Dr. Parton’s Literacy in Place

Boyd’s Station Mary Withers Rural Writing Fellow

Rural Fiction Magazine

The Daily Yonder Rural Culture