Michael Beadle
Michael Beadle
poet • author • writer-in-residence
poet • author • writer-in-residence
"Let the beauty we love be
what we do."
— Rumi
Being a writer means seeking out mystery, discovering beauty, sharing experiences, and wrestling with words to tell the truth about our lives simply and honestly.
As a poet, author and writer-in-residence, I enjoy many different styles of writing ranging from poetry and history to fiction and journalism. With 15 years of experience as a journalist and freelance writer, I've published more than 1,500 articles for newspapers and magazines throughout North Carolina and won several awards from the N.C. Press Association. Over the years as an arts reporter, I interviewed such writers David Sedaris and Charles Frazier and notable entertainers such
as the Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls and Tony Award-winning Linda Lavin (star of the TV show Alice). I served as managing editor for Smoky Mountain Living magazine and edited short stories by Lee Smith, Ron Rash, Fred Chappell, Sharyn McCrumb and Silas House.
My poems have been included in numerous journals and anthologies including The New Southerner, Great Smokies Review, Kakalak, Pinesong, Sow's Ear and Main Street Rag. I've published three poetry chapbooks and produced a CD of my original poems.
I've served as the statewide student poetry contest manager for the NC Poetry Society and emcee the annual Poetry Out Loud North Carolina state finals. I'm listed on the touring artists directory for the N.C. Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.
As an author of local history, I've written or co-written four books on Haywood County in
western North Carolina.
Since 1998, I've been performing and teaching poetry in schools, festivals and conferences throughout North Carolina. I teach writing workshops and residencies throughout the year and also perform poetry for schools, festivals, church and civic groups, and private parties.
Take a tour through this website and check out my schedule of upcoming events as well as sample writings and a list of the educational services I provide.