Land of Lost Places

by Hannah Allman Kennedy

Land of Lost Places tells the stories of people left behind. A middle-aged farmer considers his regrets. A young woman finds herself on the other side of the country, in a desert swirling with memory. A man released from prison grapples with who he has become. A group of teens rebels against the invasion of their hometown by a faceless outsider.

From the clefts of rural Pennsylvania hills, to forgotten corners of shimmering cities, to lonely stretches of remote highways, these stories and poems honor the hidden pockets of overlooked time and place, and the people who call them home.

103 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Hannah Allman Kennedy grew up among the oil ghost towns of Venango County, Pennsylvania. Her debut novel, And It All Came Tumbling Down, was 2023 Book of the Year at the Writer's Conference of Northern Appalachia.
Hannah earned her MFA in creative writing from Carlow University. She lives and writes in Pittsburgh.

Reviews

[Ej Amford · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has spent time in Pennsylvania or the surrounding areas, you will find yourself transported back there in time and space. The vivid imagery and flowing language is mesmerizing. Each story has a unique flavor but they all have a cohesive vibe that made me want to sip black coffee in the woods on a cool morning.
Beautiful collection of stories!

[Amelia King · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Land of Lost Places" is for everyone who has ever experienced love and loss. A collection of short stories and poems, there is something to resonate with everyone. With the variety of characters, a mix of poetry and prose, and themes that get to the core of what makes us human, readers will be able identify with at least one character. I know I certainly did, especially with "The Duck" and "Ode to the Rust Belt". I have been thinking about these pieces nonstop since I finished reading them.

If you've ever felt lonely, confused, lost, or abandoned, take a read! You might just see yourself reflected among the characters, feel a little less alone, and a little more human.

[Emily Pryor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat to get an early copy of this one! Land of Lost Places is told through a series of individual stories that weave together into a bigger picture of Western Pennsylvania — the people, the places, and the culture that shaped them both.

The opening story, “The Highway,” grabbed me right away and is still sticking with me. What is worth preserving? How does one remain amongst changing places — or do we change, too? Thoughtful, atmospheric, and beautifully written. Hannah Kennedy is such a talented storyteller — can’t wait to see what she writes next.

[Jenny Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a word, haunting. It is a good collection for when you want to feel all the feelings. It’s the feeling of looking out the window at the trees in a fall rain. If you need a sad soundtrack for big feelings that aren’t the real ones you’re feeling, this book for you. Another sparkling success ✨

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic, local, quaint, cozy, and sometimes gut-wrenching. I loved this! A quick, enjoyable read!