Kory Wells grew up on the stories of her southern Appalachian family and the wonder of the Space Age, diverse influences that have shaped her life's work and writing. A former software developer, she's now on her second act as a writer, storyteller, and advocate for for the arts, democracy, and other good causes. She recently served two terms as the inaugural Poet Laureate of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she's lived most of her life. Kory's poems appear in numerous literary journals and anthologies, including the Tennessee edition of THE SOUTHERN POETRY ANTHOLOGY. She also performs her poetry on the album DECENT PAN OF CORNBREAD, a collaboration with her daughter, folk musician Kelsey Wells. Kory's essay "Really Good for a Girl," praised by LADIES HOME JOURNAL as "standout," leads the anthology SHE'S SUCH A GEEK (Seal Press, 2006) and was an early bridge between her technical and creative careers. Kory is on the board of the Rockvale Writers' Colony and mentors poetry students in the low-residency program MTSU Write.