About

I was born Sherry Chandler in rural Owen County (Kentucky) on Eagle Creek and the Kentucky River.

As were many farm kids from this area, I was educated at Georgetown College (BA) and the University of Kentucky (MA in English literature).

My life journey has taken me from a farm near Sweet Owen, Kentucky to a farm near Ruddles Mill, Kentucky. I live there with my husband, T. R. Williams, a wood craftsman. I have twin sons.

I’ve authored two poetry chapbooks (see sidebar). The first, Dance the Black-Eyed Girl, is #13 in the New Women’s Voices series from Finishing Line Press. It was nominated for the Kentucky Literary Award in poetry. The second, My Will and Testament Is on the Desk is #4 in FootHills Publishing’s Poets on Peace Series.

I’ve won the Betty Gabehart Award from the Kentucky Women Writers Conference the Legacies Award from the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, the Kudzu poetry prize for 2006, and the Joy Bale Boone Prize for 2006. I have received professional development funding (2005, 2009) and Professional Assistance Awards (1989, 2007) from the Kentucky Arts Council.

I am a founding member of the Mosaic poets, a group born out of a master poets workshop mentored by James Baker Hall, sponsored by the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, and funded by the YMCA Writer’s Voice. I served as board chair of Green River Writers, Inc from 2002-2006 and as President of the Kentucky State Poetry Society in 2006.

By day, disguised as mild-mannered Sherry Chandler Williams, E.L.S., I work as a medical writer/editor and as such I have certifications from the American Medical Writers Association and the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences.

My work has appeared in many magazines and anthologies, some of which are linked below.

Publication links

The Ernie and Sherry Roadshow

Recorded live at Mac’s Backs in Cleveland
(takes Windows Media Player, I think)