Appalachian writers receive Pushcart Prize nominations

ISSUED: 20 November 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Six writers featured in Shepherd University's 2024 volume of the Anthology of Appalachian Writers recently received Pushcart nominations for their work.

The Pushcart Prize is an American literary award that recognizes the best short fiction, poetry, essays, and other works published in small presses.

S. Joelle McDonald from Huntington, West Virginia, was nominated for her short story "A Mourner," which also won the West Virginia Fiction Competition in 2023.

Nominations for poetry include Torlie Bush's "Letter to JD Vance," Webster Springs, West Virginia; Elizabeth Alfred's "Male or Mule," Shepherdstown, West Virginia; Tom Donlon's "Pythagorean Theorem," Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia; EJ Wade's "A Painter by Trade," Oak Park, Illinois; and Marc Harshman's "Listening," Wheeling, West Virginia.

The Anthology of Appalachian Writers features works that contribute to an understanding and appreciation for the region that in some way relate to the work of the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence at Shepherd.

The anthology gives new writers a venue to have their work published.

The 2024 volume of the Anthology of Appalachian Writers centers on the work of West Virginia writer Ann Pancake, who was the 2023 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence for Shepherd and the 2023 One Book One West Virginia Common Read Author.

The 2025 volume of the anthology will be published in April 2025, and revolves around the work of West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman, who has also been selected as the 2024 One Book One West Virginia Common Read Author and 2024 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence.

Visit the Shepherd University website to learn more about the anthology and these Appalachian writers.

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