VCU Cabell First Novelist Award

I received lovely news yesterday that Show Me Good Land is on the short list for the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award.  I am humbled and honored and now very much aware that the phrase is true:  It really is just a pleasure to be nominated.  Information about the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award is here, and the committee chose engaging, interesting novels that fly below the traditional mainstream radar. 

I love that, and I love these titles.  What fabulous company!

2012 Semifinalists
The Brothers' Lot by Kevin Holohan
Show Me Good Land by Shonna Milliken Humphrey
A Young Man's Guide to Late Capitalism by Peter Mountford
The Book of Want by Daniel Olivas
This Burns My Heart by Samuel Park
and yet they were happy by Helen Phillips
The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock
Along the Watchtower by Constance Squires
We the Animals by Justin Torres
The Submission by Amy Waldman
Touch by Alexi Zentner  

Obviously, I hope I win.  But if I don't, I am thrilled to celebrate any of the authors listed above!   

(Here's hoping my readers will take this opportunity to maybe discover a new favorite.  Click any of the links above to learn more about the list of semifinalists.)

Challenge:  What is one product, author, artist, restaurant, location, or song that you feel needs more recognition and support?  How can you help deliver that support?