An item in the Books section of Asheville Citizen-Times issue of Sunday, November 20 by Hilliel Italie commented on winners of the National Book Foundation awards for 2011 and noted that one author, Lauren Myracle, was announced as an award finalist then asked to withdraw from contention for the award.  Myracle is a WNC-born author now living in Ft. Collins, CO, and her present day book "Shine" is set in Transylvania County.  This YA book deals with poverty, effects of drug misuse, a hate…

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Shine by WNC-born author Lauren Myracle is in the news.  Who wants to talk about it?  Look it over and let's discuss.

Those who are involved in YA literature might be interested in the discussion that took place on NPR's program Talk of the Nation that aired on Wednesday, July 6 when moderator Neil Conan invited Wall Street Journal critic Meghan Cox Gourdon and Lauren Myracle, author of Shine, the recently released YA book set in WNC to commen on the nature of contemporary YA books.  A link to the audio podcast is below.…

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Some writers can use language to create images that evoke the gamut of emotions. Some writers can tell a darn good story. But not every writer can do both.



Paula Kane, a long-time student in the Great Smokies Writing Program, is a card-carrying member of that special class of writers whose words can make you shiver with their beauty while still satisfying your desire for plots and character development. Her short story, "The Color of Magic," appears in the premier issue of The Great… Continue