The Best Christmas Present!

Without opening a single gift, I can tell you my favorite present this year–an honorable mention for the Thomas Wolfe Literary Award!  As the best gifts are, this one was totally unexpected. I knew my book had been submitted for the award in 2024, but what I didn’t realize was that due to Hurricane Helene, the committee didn’t select a winner last year and instead combined books from both 2024 and 2025.

Following are pictures from the awards ceremony and the cocktail reception at the Asheville Museum of History.

 

In other news, I received author copies of WILD MOUNTAIN IVY and look forward to the book’s publication on March 3, 2026.

And my other favorite present is a new contract with Reycraft for ADOPTED SON–George Masa, Immigrant Photographer of the Smoky Mountains.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Until January,

Shannon