Author Bio
Melissa Slayton lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and has a degree in creative writing from Warren Wilson College. Her poems and stories can be found in The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, San Pedro River Review, Hawai'i Pacific Review, Apalachee Review, Pinesong, and South Carolina Yearbook, among others. She is an assistant editor with Vine Leaves Press and has attended the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, the Community of Writers at Olympic Valley, and the Hub City Writing-In-Place Conference as the recipient of the Poetry Society of South Carolina’s Summer Scholarship. She is available for readings, speaking, and workshops, and can be reached at melissaslayton333@gmail.com.
Sewanee Writer's Conference
Sewanee, TN
Poetry workshop with Charles Martin and Marilyn Nelson
Selected Online Publications
"Five Thousand Blackbirds"
Check out one writer's analysis of this poem here!
Poetry
"Trout"
Poetry
Poetry
Poetry
Nonfiction
Community of Writers
Olympic Valley, CA
Fiction with Janet Fitch
Poetry with Robert Hass
The Soundtrack of Falling to Earth
"Tyler's voice broke before reaching full strength, then soared with a newfound bravado. His new friend swayed in the crowd, oblivious to his eyes reaching for contact with hers. But when the chorus hit, she raised her face toward his. She would probably not remember tonight, but if she did, it would mark the moment she fell in love. Anyone could see it. You could just tell—it was the most obvious thing in the world. And even if his love broke her heart, music would provide a soundtrack for that, too . . ."
Capitalizing on noteworthy stories from within the often overlooked underground music scenes, Melissa Slayton's forthcoming book, The Soundtrack of Falling to Earth, provides an intimate description of what it's like as an up-and-coming female artist in a male-dominated industry.
This book builds on the premise that, like fallen angels, all artists at some point must make a deal with the devil. The atmospherically coastal and southern gothic backdrop lends a sense of magical realism which bleeds into the everyday. And it's set in a town that, quite literally, was once proclaimed by scientists to be "the healthiest place in the world."
As a coming-of-age story, and as a guiding light for artists, The Soundtrack of Falling to Earth romanticizes many things that are taboo in society, including addiction, poverty, and toxic relationships. Yet it provides an example of the difficult path toward the spiritual rebirth that becomes necessary for women, or anyone who has struggled with their art, to truly step into their life's purpose.
"Tennessee" Villanelle
Published in San Pedro River Review
Recent Editing Feedback
Your input has been magnificent! I truly appreciate all the hard work and time you’ve put into this project, and I believe I incorporated just about all of your feedback. BookLife gave you a much deserved A for your editing. I gather they don’t give out A+ which would have been my vote.
--Steve Zettler, Careless Love
I want to say I really enjoyed working with Melissa. She has great instincts in terms of subtle points that can make a huge difference in increasing tension and clarity. She was helpful and encouraging, which made me want to take her suggestions to heart.
Martha Engber, Winter Light
Thank you for all your smart and helpful comments. For your many talents, vision and creativity. I feel compelled to tell you that your idea of putting Million Dollar Red as the last chapter is totally brilliant. I love it. It spirals back through the entire book all the way to the beginning and beyond. It’s genius. And the title should now be changed to Million Dollar Red. I think it¹s more compelling and probably more commercial. And with that chapter as the ending I can¹t imagine the title being anything else. Million Dollar Red is now an absolutely gorgeous piece of art.
--Gleah Powers, Million Dollar Red
I took the last week to review your latest notes and comments and, man, I've got to tell you, you have a way of pinpointing the exact areas I had a hunch might need some extra attention. Your note on the potential need for additional material was spot-on. But, I suppose that just speaks to your skill and intuition as an editor. I want to thank you for your thoughts, expertise, insight, and transparency across the last few months. In each situation, the unbiased feedback you've provided has led toward the ultimate strengthening of this manuscript. Overall, that leaves me feeling confident that we operate in sync and that the manuscript is getting the close attention and work that will result in a superior final product.
--Joseph Lezza, I’m Never Fine