Cannonball: Stories

By Chelyen Davis

In Cannonball, Chelyen Davis brings the mountains of contemporary Virginia to life through a vivid cast of characters that includes a well-meaning arsonist, a meteorite-thief, a tender-hearted addict, a woman who is convinced she's being visited by the ghost of Conway Twitty, and many others--some of them dreamers, others full of regret, all wondering if they should stay or leave their complicated homeplace. From carnival grounds to trailer homes to mountain churches, Davis creates an immersive sense of place while grounding universal human struggles in a distinct cultural landscape.

With intimate storytelling, authentic dialogue, and vibrant, specific voices, this short story collection challenges persistent stereotypes, revealing the depth, complexity, and determination of Appalachian life. Cannonball invites readers to see the region with greater clarity and empathy, recognizing its people as integral to the broader American story, and told in the literary tradition of short story masters such as Lee Smith, Deesha Philyaw, and Gurney Norman.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H7SP8XNP
• ISBN13: 9798951072047
• Release Date: March 2027
• Publisher: Fox Hill Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher