R.T. Smith is Finalist for the Library of Virginia’s 2014 Poetry Award
Washington and Lee University writer-in-residence R.T. Smith is a finalist for the Library of Virginia’s 2014 Poetry Award for “The Red Wolf: A Dream for Flannery O’Connor,” a tour de force capturing the intricate details of O’Connor’s life and character.
The poems are based on Smith’s long interest in O’Connor and his research at Georgia College and State University where the O’Connor Collection and manuscripts are located.
Smith, editor of “Shenandoah: The Washington and Lee University Review,” has twice won the Library of Virginia Poetry Award, for “Messenger” (2002) and “Outlaw Style: Poems” (2008).
Smith’s previous books of fiction are “Faith,” “Uke Rivers Delivers,” “The Calaboose Epistles” and “Sherburne.” He has edited “Shenandoah” since 1995 and was named writer-in-residence at W&L in 2009.
He is the former editor of “Southern Humanities Review,” as well as former alumni writer-in-residence at Auburn University. Smith’s poetry has also been published in “Best American Poetry,” and his stories have appeared in “Best American Mystery Stories,” “The Pushcart Prize Anthology,” “New Stories from the South” and “Best American Short Stories,” as well as in three earlier collections, and his 2011 collection of stories, “Sherburne.”
The winners in each category (fiction, nonfiction and poetry) will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the 17th Annual Library of Virginia Literary Awards Celebration Honoring Virginia Authors and Friends.
