The Californer - New Release Explores Grit, Wit, and Appalachian Life in We Saved Ourselves, Kinda

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"They didn't ask for much—just freedom, a porch, and maybe a yard. The rest they figured out themselves… kinda." #1 best seller on Amazon in its class!

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Californer -- Woodsong Publishing is proud to announce the release of We Saved Ourselves, Kinda, a deeply human and richly textured novel by Larry Arrowood. This compelling collection of interwoven stories captures the colorful customs, cultural pride, and rugged resilience of those who lived in the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Told through the lens of fiction but drawn from vivid childhood memories, We Saved Ourselves, Kinda invites readers into a world where independence reigned supreme. In the isolated communities of the Cumberland Plateau, families often chose to scrape by rather than surrender their freedom to government assistance. That freedom—precious and hard-won—was guarded with both suspicion and a kind of quiet dignity.

With a blend of humor and poignancy, Arrowood paints a memorable portrait of mountain life. Readers will laugh at the quirky vernacular of the highlanders, marvel at the legend of the blue-skinned people of Troublesome Creek, and grieve as young men leave the hollers of Kentucky to fight in wars far from home. The book also reflects on one of the greatest internal migrations in American history—when seven million people from Appalachia left their homes, traditions, and landscapes to settle in urban centers, trading front porches and open yards for factory jobs and narrow row houses.

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Through all these moments—whether heartwarming, heartbreaking, or historically fascinating—Arrowood's narrative voice remains grounded in appreciation for a people who, in their own way, did what they could with what they had. As the title suggests, they saved themselves… kinda.

Larry Arrowood is an accomplished writer, pastor, and storyteller with a deep connection to his Appalachian roots. He captures the spirit of a bygone era with authenticity, wit, and reverence, sharing stories that both entertain and preserve the heritage of a proud people.

We Saved Ourselves, Kinda is available now in paperback and hardback wherever books are sold. For interviews, bulk orders, or speaking engagements, please contact Woodsong Publishing: larrryarrowood@mac.com
ISBN 978-1961482012
http://www.woodsongpublishing.com