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Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302
Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound
Full text linkDevil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound is a short story collection that features strong female characters against a backdrop of ghosts, fairy tales, and urban legends. The thirteen stories subvert the historical narrative of women in fairy tales, positioning them as bold and willing to step into the face of danger. “The Braided Veil” features a young orphan in Victorian New Orleans who seeks revenge upon her mother’s abuser. “Devil’s Oak” addresses the horrors of slavery through the eyes of a young girl who learns that her family owned human beings. “Good Little Girls” takes readers back to childhood in which a sick girl explores her neighbor’s attic on a stormy day; she discovers more than she bargained for. “The Game” features relational aggression in the 1990’s in a “mean girls” style that takes a grizzly turn. “Selkie Skin” leans into Celtic lore, following a young pregnant girl who longs for freedom. “The Ripper Society” reaches back through time to Jack the Ripper’s wife, who discovers his misdeeds and takes matters into her own hands. “She Has Seen the Wolf” is longer story that connects to my novel, The Butterfly Circle; when a graduate student learns she is pregnant, she uncovers her family’s connected history to a haunted home for unwed mothers. In “Roots in the Cove,” a woman in an unhealthy relationship shapeshifts into a bear on a trip to Gatlinburg and finally finds her freedom. Both “Marsh Girl” and “Cicadas in the Suburbs” explore the psychological challenges of suburban life, including postpartum depression and the longing for the magic of youth. In “Honey Tree,” a divorced woman seeks comfort from the bees, and in “Crow Woman,” a widow faces metaphorical death and is reborn. Finally, “Ghost Apples” is a retelling of Snow White from the perspective of the queen; she shapeshifts into a wolf to protect a young girl who has been attacked and seeks revenge upon her abuser.
~A literary horror/fiction short story collection by Mary Carroll Leoson. Foreword by Christopher Barzak, author of A Voice Calling and One for Sorrow. Editor and jacket design by A.Miller. Available in PDF, Ebook (epub), paperback, and hardcover in October 2025.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each story has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB). Official press release.--
Reviews
“What distinguishes Mary Carroll Leoson’s work is her ability to inhabit the liminal spaces between myth and reality, past and present, the seen and the unseen. These stories are rooted deeply in the soil of ancestral memory and the landscapes of the American South, yet they reach far beyond that geography into the universal territory of trauma, resilience, and transformation.” --Christopher Barzak, author of One for Sorrow and A Voice Calling.
“Each story reads like an old heirloom passed from hand to hand, warm with use and heavy with meaning. The prose is lyrical but never ornamental; the horror, earned. And as the final page turns, it leaves you changed. Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound isn’t just read. The stories linger like the smell of roses at a closed casket.” --Diane Sismour, author of novels, short stories, and screenplays
“I loved Marguerite in “Devil’s Oak,” her personality shone through, and I found myself rooting for her immediately. I loved seeing her rebel against expectations of femininity. Go, Marguerite!” -- Janet Alcorn, author of award-winning short stories
“Kate, Bea, and Nana from “She Has Seen the Wolf” are my favorite characters in this standout story of this Devil’s Oak collection; and I could easily see it adapted to television in some way.” --Ada Wofford, Sundress Publications
“My favorite character and story is Claire in “Marsh Girl,” plus “Good Little Girls” is especially chilling, and I enjoyed “The Ripper Society” so much, I was bereft at the end, hoping for more!” --Jasmine De La Paz, Gothic horror author
Book information
Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound
© 2025 Mary Carroll Leoson
Published by MT Open Press (Blue Crescent Books imprint) at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro
Identifiers
ISBN (paperback) 979-8-9995864-0-7
ISBN (hardcover) 979-8-9871721-9-3
ISBN (digital PDF) 979-8-9871721-6-2
ISBN (digital epub) 979-8-9871721-7-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00425
Distribution
Print-on-demand version (epub, paperback, hardcover) available at https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mtop
Follow and review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239910520-devil-s-oak
Suggested Citation
Leoson, Mary Carroll. Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound. MT Open Press, Middle Tennessee State University, 2025. https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00425
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial No Derivatives-4.0 International Licens
Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound
Full text linkDevil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound is a short story collection that features strong female characters against a backdrop of ghosts, fairy tales, and urban legends. The thirteen stories subvert the historical narrative of women in fairy tales, positioning them as bold and willing to step into the face of danger. “The Braided Veil” features a young orphan in Victorian New Orleans who seeks revenge upon her mother’s abuser. “Devil’s Oak” addresses the horrors of slavery through the eyes of a young girl who learns that her family owned human beings. “Good Little Girls” takes readers back to childhood in which a sick girl explores her neighbor’s attic on a stormy day; she discovers more than she bargained for. “The Game” features relational aggression in the 1990’s in a “mean girls” style that takes a grizzly turn. “Selkie Skin” leans into Celtic lore, following a young pregnant girl who longs for freedom. “The Ripper Society” reaches back through time to Jack the Ripper’s wife, who discovers his misdeeds and takes matters into her own hands. “She Has Seen the Wolf” is longer story that connects to my novel, The Butterfly Circle; when a graduate student learns she is pregnant, she uncovers her family’s connected history to a haunted home for unwed mothers. In “Roots in the Cove,” a woman in an unhealthy relationship shapeshifts into a bear on a trip to Gatlinburg and finally finds her freedom. Both “Marsh Girl” and “Cicadas in the Suburbs” explore the psychological challenges of suburban life, including postpartum depression and the longing for the magic of youth. In “Honey Tree,” a divorced woman seeks comfort from the bees, and in “Crow Woman,” a widow faces metaphorical death and is reborn. Finally, “Ghost Apples” is a retelling of Snow White from the perspective of the queen; she shapeshifts into a wolf to protect a young girl who has been attacked and seeks revenge upon her abuser.
~A literary horror/fiction short story collection by Mary Carroll Leoson. Foreword by Christopher Barzak, author of A Voice Calling and One for Sorrow. Editor and jacket design by A.Miller. Available in PDF, Ebook (epub), paperback, and hardcover in October 2025.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each story has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB). Official press release.--
Reviews
“What distinguishes Mary Carroll Leoson’s work is her ability to inhabit the liminal spaces between myth and reality, past and present, the seen and the unseen. These stories are rooted deeply in the soil of ancestral memory and the landscapes of the American South, yet they reach far beyond that geography into the universal territory of trauma, resilience, and transformation.” --Christopher Barzak, author of One for Sorrow and A Voice Calling.
“Each story reads like an old heirloom passed from hand to hand, warm with use and heavy with meaning. The prose is lyrical but never ornamental; the horror, earned. And as the final page turns, it leaves you changed. Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound isn’t just read. The stories linger like the smell of roses at a closed casket.” --Diane Sismour, author of novels, short stories, and screenplays
“I loved Marguerite in “Devil’s Oak,” her personality shone through, and I found myself rooting for her immediately. I loved seeing her rebel against expectations of femininity. Go, Marguerite!” -- Janet Alcorn, author of award-winning short stories
“Kate, Bea, and Nana from “She Has Seen the Wolf” are my favorite characters in this standout story of this Devil’s Oak collection; and I could easily see it adapted to television in some way.” --Ada Wofford, Sundress Publications
“My favorite character and story is Claire in “Marsh Girl,” plus “Good Little Girls” is especially chilling, and I enjoyed “The Ripper Society” so much, I was bereft at the end, hoping for more!” --Jasmine De La Paz, Gothic horror author
Book information
Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound
© 2025 Mary Carroll Leoson
Published by MT Open Press (Blue Crescent Books imprint) at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro
Identifiers
ISBN (paperback) 979-8-9995864-0-7
ISBN (hardcover) 979-8-9871721-9-3
ISBN (digital PDF) 979-8-9871721-6-2
ISBN (digital epub) 979-8-9871721-7-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00425
Distribution
Print-on-demand version (epub, paperback, hardcover) available at https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/mtop
Follow and review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239910520-devil-s-oak
Suggested Citation
Leoson, Mary Carroll. Devil’s Oak: Waking the Feminine Wound. MT Open Press, Middle Tennessee State University, 2025. https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00425
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial No Derivatives-4.0 International Licens
Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302
Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302
Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302
Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302
Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302
Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302
Educator Reflections : The Power of Our Stories
Full text linkThe monograph, Educator Reflections: The Power of Our Stories, highlights the diverse professional journeys of various educators within Middle Tennessee State University and their partner schools as they share their experiences in the teaching profession. Contributors represent all educational levels, from preschool through higher education.
Teachers from various levels recount their unique paths to the profession, emphasizing pivotal moments and acknowledging the heroes and mentors who influenced their professional development. These shared experiences aim to inspire and guide individuals at different stages of their careers, including those just considering teaching as a career, preservice teachers, current educators, and those nearing the conclusion of their educational journey who seek to continue making a positive impact.
The book concludes with targeted recommendations and insights designed to propel the profession forward in a constructive direction, motivating readers to engage further with the content and their professional development.
If you have ever considered a career in education at the preschool, elementary, or high school level, aspired to be a college professor, or been inspired by a remarkable teacher, you will find resonance in the powerful stories these incredible educators share. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of teaching and will leave you inspired to embark on or continue your journey in the field of education.
--Publisher\u27s Note: Each chapter has been editor and press reviewed, and the entire book has been externally reviewed by experts in the field as part of the quality review process. Indexed in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).--
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56638/mtopb00325
ISBN (paperback): 979-8-9871721-5-5ISBN (digital PDF): 979-8-9871721-4-8LCCN: 202593302