ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Do you have a favorite local author you think deserves some special recognition? Now’s your chance to nominate them for the 2024 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award.

The literary award has been presented by Western North Carolina Historical Association (now the Asheville Museum of History) since 1955. Winners are also given a $1,000 cash prize. The deadline to submit your nominations is Aug. 16, 2024.

A press release from the Asheville Museum of History says anyone can nominate their favorite author — whether it be fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry — who meets the following criteria:

  • It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered.
  • The publication date must be between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
  • The author must be a native of Western North Carolina or a resident of Western NC for at least 12 months prior to the closing date for the Award.
  • An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in Western NC. Western North Carolina includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 23 counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.

Nomination letters must specify the following eligibility criteria:

  • Date of publication
  • Birthplace or residence of author
  • Setting of work

Nominators should submit a cover letter along with three copies of the work by Aug. 16, 2024 to:

Asheville Museum of History
Thomas Wolfe Award Committee
283 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801

An awards ceremony and reception in honor of the finalists and 2024 award recipient will be held in November 2024, the museum says. Wilma Dykeman was the first author to be presented with the award in 1955 for her book, The French Broad. David Joy was the recipient of last year’s Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award for his nationally acclaimed novel, Those We Thought We Knew.

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