Kathy Trace: Editor of “Young Voices From a Small Town” - Championing Local Stories and Nurturing Tomorrow’s Writers

 

Kathy Trace at the Hocking Hills Book Fair
The Dairy Barn, Athens, Ohio, December 2024

Kathy Trace is an accomplished editor, educator, and literary advocate best known for her work with the anthology “Young Voices From a Small Town: A Collection of Essays.” Through her role as editor, Trace has amplified the narratives of youth in Trimble Township, Trimble, Ohio, giving voice to a new generation of storytellers while strengthening the fabric of her rural community. As the guiding force behind the Tomcat Bridgebuilders initiative, she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for young people to express themselves, build confidence, and engage with the world beyond their township.

Kathy Trace’s story is deeply entwined with that of Trimble Township, a patchwork of small towns and close-knit neighborhoods in southeastern Ohio. Her commitment to the community is the backbone of her editorial vision. Having lived and worked in the area for much of her life, Trace understands the unique rhythms, challenges, and rich histories that define rural Ohio. She recognizes that every small town harbors a wealth of stories—often overlooked beyond its borders—which deserve to be brought to light.

Welcome, Kathy!

GM: What inspired the initial concept for Young Voices from a Small Town? 

KT: Students wrote stories for Red Ribbon Week and the board noted how much thought the students had put into their stories and recognized the need to let the community know how the drugs were impacting our youth.

GM: What was your role in shaping the final structure of the book? 

KT: I assisted in keeping the development of the book on track and moving forward.

GM: Can you describe your editorial approach when working with young writers? How did you balance preserving their authentic voices with refining the text?

KT: We edited the book but did not change their message or authenticity.  For example, we deleted information that could identify the child, specific family information.

GM: Was there an essay that surprised you or shifted your perspective during the editing process? If so, what made it stand out?

KT: I am personally aware of the devastation that illegal substances can cause and see the effect all the time but reading these very personal stories from a child's perspective were eye opening to the personal suffering through their eyes.

GM: How did the small-town setting influence the tone or themes of the essays? Did you notice recurring motifs or concerns unique to that environment?

KT: Our community is caring and youth supporting but the substance abuse was destroying the area.

GM: What challenges did you face in compiling and editing the book? Were there any unexpected hurdles or rewarding breakthroughs?

KT: As a volunteer group we struggled with having the time to dedicate to the project. However we got this done.

GM: How do you hope readers—especially those from small towns—will connect with the collection? What impact do you envision it having?

KT: Our hope is that they will recognize the problem and establish the support to increase awareness and provide encouragement for treatment and recovery.

GM: Looking ahead, do you see this project as part of a larger series or movement? Are there plans to continue amplifying young voices in future publications?

KT: Yes we are working on Volume 2 at this time. We believe this gives our youth the voice to tell their story.

Connect...
Website: www.tcbridgebuilders.org
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