Josephine Humphreys, the distinguished author of four widely acclaimed novels, most recently "Nowhere Else on Earth," also named two honorable mentions, "The Descent" by Lis Anna of Asheville, and "Outside the Lines" by Therese Fowler of Raleigh.
A former student of Doris Betts while receiving her bachelor's degree at the University of Chapel Hill, Shaw she received her master's degree in English and creative writing from Hollins University, where her fiction took top honors. Shaw has won a Fellowship in Literature from the N.C. Arts Council and a grassroots artist grant from the United Arts Councils of Mecklenburg and Gaston County. She lives in Gastonia with her husband and has recently completed a novel.
"To win is a great honor," Shaw says. "This competition is but one example of how the North Carolina Writers Network is a great resource for writers and book lovers across our state. Conferences, author readings and other events create a feeling of community that inspires me to write. You know they are there for you, and they want to help you to succeed. Whether you're a writer or simply love books, their work is key to promoting literature."
The first honorable mention winner, Lis Anna, is a prize-winning writer, film maker, and photographer. Her films have been screened internationally, and her photography published in "Asheville Through the Seasons," a coffee table book by Twin Lights Publishers.
Therese Fowler, the second honorable mention winner, is a 2005 graduate of North Carolina State University’s new creative writing masters of fine arts program. She works as editorial assistant for the literary journal, Obsidian III.
The Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize, one of the N.C. Writers Network's most popular and successful competitions, had been suspended for several years, but was reinstituted in 2005 by the Board of Directors, and will be continued annually. The final judge for the 2007 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize has not yet been selected, but will be announced in the coming months.
Earley on "Bookwatch"
UNC-TV presents an encore showing of "N.C. Bookwatch" on Sunday, June 25, at 5 p.m. Host D.G. Martin will interview Lawrence Earley, author of "Looking for Longleaf."
Covering 92 million acres from Virginia to Texas, the longleaf pine ecosystem was, in its prime, one of the most extensive and biologically diverse ecosystems in North America. Today these magnificent forests have declined to a fraction of their original extent, threatening such species as the gopher tortoise, the red-cockaded woodpecker, and the Venus flytrap. Conservationists have proclaimed longleaf restoration a major goal, but has it come too late?
In "Looking for Longleaf," Lawrence S. Earley explores the history of these forests and the astonishing biodiversity of the longleaf ecosystem, drawing on extensive research and telling the story through first-person travel accounts and interviews with foresters, ecologists, biologists, botanists, and landowners. On this episode of "N.C. Bookwatch," Earley demonstrates how, in the 20th century, forest managers and ecologists struggled to understand the special demands of longleaf and to halt its overall decline.
Tutor Training
The Moore County Literacy Council will hold training for new tutors in July.
Orientation will be held on Thursday, July 6, from 11 a.m. to noon. Tutor training will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 12, and Thursday, July 13, and Wednesday, July 19, and Thursday, July 20.
Poetry Book
Wayne Adams announces the release of his book of poetry, "Connections: Love Poems." It has been released by PublishAmerica of Frederick, Md.
Author at Waldenbooks
Author L. Diane Wolfe will be at Waldenbooks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, to sign copies of her most recent book, "James: The Circle of Friends, Book III."
Wolfe grew up in Salem, Ore., and began writing when she was 13. When she left home at 19, writing was put on the back burner as she moved around the United States. Eventually settling in North Carolina with her husband, she is now self-employed and a professional photographer.
Wolfe was inspired to return to writing by the adage that everyone needs "something to hope for and someone to love."
Ten years associating with a motivational training system and her experience as a foster parent gave her the in-depth knowledge of relationships, personality traits and success principles. Wolfe's series, "The Circle of Friends," focuses on the pursuit of dreams and the overcoming of obstacles. The stories intertwine as the characters learn that with belief and encouragement, they can achieve anything.
Traveling the East Coast to promote her series, Wolfe has set herself on a heavy tour of extensive book signings and speaking engagements.
The author uses her story and the character’s experiences as an allegory for overcoming obstacles, portraying relationship dynamics in a real setting. A nonfiction book on the subject might come across as too preachy, but a novel teaches subtly and captures the emotions of the reader.
In her talks, Wolfe outlines the steps to overcoming barriers and setting meaningful goals. The author uses her own venture of publishing and promoting to demonstrate that when the dream's big enough, the facts don't count.
The books are published by AuthorHouse.
