Supporting the Best Writers
The Poetry of John Stone
Each poem includes a reading by the author.
Q & A with John Stone
John Stone answers questions about his desire to write and his experience at Appalachian.
The Truman Capote Literary Trust Scholarship in Creative Writing
Through a $75,000 endowment, the Truman Capote Literary Trust funds a scholarship at Appalachian State University to support students in its creative writing program. The competitive scholarship, currently valued at almost $2,000, is awarded annually.
Senior John Stone of Sanford won this year's scholarship based on two of his short stories. They were judged in a competition by author Nancy Huddleston Packer, professor emeritus of creative writing at Stanford University.
In her critique of Stone's work, Packer described his writing as "moving and persuasive."
Stone's career goal is to be a poet and novelist. He already has been published in one literary journal, with more pending. Always an avid reader, Stone transferred to Appalachian from Central Carolina Community College in Sanford knowing he would major in English because he heard Appalachian's Department of English was "top notch." He is also pursuing a minor in communication.
"I chose Appalachian because for the money, this is the best education," the 28-year-old said.
"People are so interesting to me. If you find out one thing about a person's life, you can write a thousand stories," Stone says of his writing. "I'd love to write the next great American novel. I also like screenwriting. But, poetry comes most easily for me. Success to me would be having a steady audience for my poetry, and I'd also love to teach at the college level."
Stone describes Appalachian's creative writing faculty as highly supportive. "The faculty here challenge you. If they see you have a gift, they encourage you to pursue it. You couldn't ask for a more supportive faculty."
In addition to the Truman Capote scholarship, Stone received the creative writing program's John Foster West Scholarship in 2006. He is financing his college education by himself, so scholarships and financial aid are vital.
Appalachian's creative writing program offers courses on the writing of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, playwriting and screenwriting. While designed for English majors pursuing a bachelor of arts degree, the courses are open to students of any major.
