Local Author Martha Park to Release Debut Book

Cover of Martha Park's debut book, World Without End

News Summary

Martha Park, a local writer and illustrator from Memphis, is set to publish her first book, “World Without End: Essays on Apocalypse and After,” in 2025. The book explores themes of faith, climate change, and motherhood through a unique blend of storytelling and illustrations. Park’s experiences growing up in church and her Southern roots heavily influence her writing. The forthcoming publication reflects important societal issues, including environmental stewardship and the complexities of modern motherhood.

Memphis, Tennessee – Local writer and illustrator Martha Park is set to release her debut book, “World Without End: Essays on Apocalypse and After,” in May 2025 through Hub City Press. The book delves into the intertwined themes of faith, climate change, and motherhood, marrying storytelling with illustrations to create a unique narrative experience.

Having spent her formative years in church-owned parsonages as the child of a United Methodist preacher, Park’s upbringing has significantly shaped her literary voice. Currently residing in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, she draws deeply from her Southern roots and experiences while crafting her work. Park graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, where she double-majored in Studio Art and Creative Writing, before earning her Master of Fine Arts degree from Hollins University.

Park’s professional journey includes serving as the Philip Roth Writer in Residence at Bucknell University. For the past decade, she has worked as a freelance writer and illustrator, contributing to prominent publications such as The Guardian, Oxford American, and The Bitter Southerner. Her diverse experiences have influenced her writing style and thematic choices in her upcoming book.

“World Without End” emerged partly from Park’s reflections during the pandemic in 2020. A pivotal moment for her was writing a feature about a rare tree, which crystallized her thoughts on the connections between motherhood and faith. The book’s final essay addresses her son’s traumatic birth, offering a poignant reflection on the sacred moments entwined in motherhood.

Park’s writing articulates how motherhood has reshaped her perceptions of time and relationships, particularly in the context of climate change. She characterizes the South as “Christ-haunted,” indicative of the deep ties between regional identity and spiritual exploration within her essays. Through this lens, Park aims to provoke readers to contemplate the significance of the ordinary places in their lives, encouraging care and attention to the environment and the connections therein.

Her work reflects both her personal experiences and the narratives of those she interviewed, creating a collective exploration of faith and stewardship of creation. Park is married to Colin Lee, and their two young children play a vital role in her creative process, infusing her writing with authenticity and emotional depth.

In addition to her writing, Park is dedicated to community engagement and raising awareness regarding environmental issues. She blends her artistic talents with her commitment to storytelling, offering a voice that resonates with the complexities of modern motherhood, the urgency of climate action, and the intricacies of faith.

As her debut book approaches publication, Park continues to craft narratives that contribute to a broader dialogue about vital themes that impact communities today. Readers can anticipate a thoughtful collection of essays that not only reflect her journey but also invite contemplation on how these issues are interwoven with everyday life.