Writers! Submit your work to the First Novel Prize
December 7, 2011
COLUMBIA, SC – December 7, 2011 – The South CarolinaArts Commission, Hub City Press and their literary partners announce a call forsubmissions for the biennial South Carolina First Novel Prize. The applicationdeadline is March 19, 2012; a winner will be announced in October. Thecompetition judge is Josephine Humphreys, a Charleston novelist whose latestbook is “Nowhere Else on Earth.”
The winning author will receive abook contract with the Hub City Press, an award-winning independent press inSpartanburg, S.C. The winner will also receive a $500 advance againstroyalties, and Hub City will publish at least 1,500 paperback copies of thebook.
Matt Matthews of Greer was the winner of the mostrecent First Novel Competition and his book, “Mercy Creek,” was published in2011. The book sold out two hardback editions and will be released in Decemberin paperback and e-book format. Publishers Weekly called the book “anenticing full-blown whodunnit … a first-rate effort displaying skill, sensitivity,and grace.”
“Working with Hub City Press hasbeen exhilarating,” Matthews said. “I really appreciate the relationships thatI have begun with libraries around the state and the S.C. Arts Commission,which does such a great job supporting the arts statewide.”
Brian Ray of Columbia was the winner of theinaugural competition. His book, “Through the Pale Door,” was published in June2009 and was widely and favorably reviewed across the Southeast. Booklist gaveit a starred review and called Ray “a talent to watch.”
Partnering again with the S.C. ArtsCommission and HubCity Press for this competition are The HumanitiesCouncilSC and the South Carolina State Library.
For information about First Novel Competition eligibility requirementsand application guidelines, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com/firstnovelor call (803) 734-8696.
Hub City Press – Hub City Press is a nonprofitpress in Spartanburg, S.C., that has published more than 50 books by regionalauthors, won four national IPPY awards from Independent Publisher magazine, isa recipient of the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts, andhas partnered with the S.C. Arts Commission on three previous book projects.For more information, visit www.hubcity.org or call (864) 577-9349.
The Humanities CouncilSC – The Humanities CouncilSC is thestate program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The mission of TheHumanities CouncilSC is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of allSouth Carolinians. The Humanities CouncilSC programs and initiatives arebalanced, reflect sensitivity to a diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue,demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations. For more information,visit www.schumanities.orgor call (803) 771-2477.
The State Library – The South Carolina State Library isthe primary administrator of federal and state support for the state’slibraries. The Library is a national model for innovation, collaboration,leadership and effectiveness. The Library’s mission is to optimize South Carolina’sinvestment in library and information services. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C.the Library is funded by the state of South Carolina, by federal governmentthrough the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and other sources. Formore information, visit www.statelibrary.sc.gov or call (803) 734-8666.
About the South Carolina ArtsCommission:
The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating athriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless oftheir location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assemblyin 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the artsby providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: artseducation, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered inColumbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina,by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts and othersources. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.
