FAQ

  • Where do you hold sessions?

    Where do you hold these sessions?

    There are a variety of options to participate in a session.

    IN PERSON: Scheduled events are held at community centers, adult nutrition centers, festivals etc. These can be for group recordings as well as individual recordings. Go to this link to find a convenient in person events.

    INTERVIEW WITH A FRIEND: We have an growing list of trained volunteers who can record your thoughts about Madison county. Maybe you know one of our volunteers!

    ON-LINE: AMP is launching an on-line option. You can schedule an event with one of our trained interviewers at a convenient time. Stay tuned for more details.

    SELF RECORDING: AMP is launching an option to do a recording independently at your pace.

  • How long does a story telling session take?

    It is best to plan on at least one hour. We will sign you in, scan in pictures, review with you the process, and then listen to you talk about what is important to you.

  • How long does publishing a book take?

    We are publishing our first book in September 2025, called Through Our Eyes: A Community’s Photographic Memory of Hurricane Helene. Another book coming out soon will target the southwest part of Madison County (Spring Creek area). Additional volumes are planned for other parts of our county and areas outside of Madison County. It takes several months to get a final version of a book.

  • Why should I tell my story?

    Your story matters more than you think. Sharing it helps preserve a piece of Appalachian history through your unique lens — a history that future generations may otherwise never hear. When you participate, you're not just telling your story — you're honoring your family, your roots, and the strength of your community. The Appalachian Memory Project exists because rural communities like ours deserve to be remembered, in our own words. Whether it’s joyful, difficult, funny, or ordinary — your story belongs here.

    We are a team of people who are part of your communities. We are your friends, neighbors and even relatives in some cases. We will shepherd the stories that make up your life with care and respect.

  • What should I talk about?

    Everyone's story is different, which makes everyone's story interesting.  One of the reasons that we ask folks to bring photos is that it helps to give you something to talk about, or prompts a memory of a special person, place or event from your life. Think of any sort of family traditions that you may have in your family, talk about those. You can talk about anything you want. 

    You can talk about:

    Family traditions

    Childhood memories

    Important people in your life

    Places you’ve lived or worked

    Where you went to school

    Community events

    Funny stories or hard lessons

  • How many photos do I need to have?

    We ask folks to have 5-7 photos to share for their interviews. That number of photos seems to be the best fit for the amount of time that we normally have allotted for an interview slot.

  • What will happen to my story and photos that are online after the book is published?

    In addition to BiblioLabs (the website we use), the Digital Heritage Center/Library will be a host and preservation partner for content being collected by Appalachian Memory Project (for all North Carolina projects). This is where the micro-archive will go. Then it will also be published in a hard copy book, available for purchase.

  • What happens with the money you get from the books that you sell?

    A portion of the book proceeds go back into Appalachian communities, with each book helping fund the next one. We’re treating AMP as a philanthropic project – prioritizing community reinvestment. As the project expands to new towns and regions, we’ll continue to explore ways to sustain it long-term. We’re committed to transparency and local benefit. If you ever have questions about funding or partners, just ask.