A collection of poems, short stories and photographs (including the award-winning short story "Red and Milky White"), TRASH is inspired by a number of characters met over a five-year period in the Appalachian mountains of VA, KY, TN and GA. Rather than a re-telling of folk-lore and oral histories, TRASH shares some of the stories of modern-day Appalachians; from addiction to relationships, the struggles they face are no different than the rest of the country's. The various compositions, their styles and timing make the collection (as the author jokes) something of a heap of "trash". After further analysis, it's not just a heap, but a few of the characters represented have been "tossed out" by society, or rather have become society's "trash" themselves. These two elements give the collection it's title. In addition to the poems and short stories, TRASH also contains photographs taken (mostly) in the mountains of Southeast Kentucky and Southwest Virginia by the author. Highlighting the area's natural beauty and history, the photos also help set the tone, and even supplement the stories being shared - in some cases a strong wedding of pictures and words. The author of TRASH is Wise, VA resident and Lynch, KY native Greg Sturgill.