The WNC Historical Association is accepting nominations for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family, the Award has been presented by the Association for printed works that focus special attention on western North Carolina since 1955.

To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry. It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered. The publication date must be in 2009 or no later than June 1, 2010. The author must be a native of the WNC region, or a resident of WNC for at least twelve months prior to the closing date of the Award. If the author does not qualify as above, the focus or setting of the work must be in western North Carolina.

WNC includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 25 counties: Allegheny, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvannia, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and two copies of the work postmarked no later than June 2, 2010 to: Wolfe Award Committee, WNC Historical Association, 283 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801.

The Association and the Louis Lipinsky family presented the first Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad.
Later recipients include John Paris, Gail Godwin, John Ehle, Charles Frazier, Robert Brunk, Michael McFee, Lee Smith, Ron Rash and Bruce E. Johnson.

The WNC Historical Association is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to promote and preserve regional history. For more information about WNCHA, call 828 253 9231 or visit www.wnchistory.org.