Pauletta Hansel
Pauletta Hansel is a poet, memoirist, teacher, and editor and has authored ten poetry collections, including Will There Also Be Singing?, Heartbreak Tree, and Palindrome. She served as the first Poet Laureate of Cincinnati.
Featured Book
Understory: A Women’s History of Appalachia
With a captivating and contemplative voice, Hansel’s Understory weaves history, genealogy, and poetry to chronicle the untold story of her foremothers. Hansel does not shy away from hard truths, such as her family’s displacement of Indigenous people, enslavement of those of African descent, and support of the Confederacy. In revealing generations of women whose experiences have only been glimpsed within others’ narratives, Understory is not simply one family’s story—it is a microcosm of Appalachian, American, and women’s histories.
Meet Pauletta Hansel and get a copy of their book at the 2026 Kentucky Book Festival, Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.