Richmond Leader

Library of Virginia issued the following announcement on Sept.

Nine authors are finalists for the Library of Virginia’s 24th Annual Library of Virginia Literary Awards. The finalists were chosen by an independent panel of judges from more than 110 books nominated for the awards. The winner in each category will be selected from among these finalists and announced during a virtual celebration at the Library of Virginia on Saturday, October 16, 2021.

The 2021 Library of Virginia Literary Award finalists are:

FICTION FINALISTS 

RACHEL BEANLAND | Florence Adler Swims Forever 

BRIAN CASTLEBERRY | Nine Shiny Objects 

ALMA KATSU | The Deep

NONFICTION FINALISTS 

CHIP JONES | The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South 

RYAN K. SMITH | Death and Rebirth in a Southern City: Richmond's Historic Cemeteries 

NICOLE MYERS TURNER | Soul Liberty: The Evolution of Black Religious Politics in Postemancipation Virginia

The finalists for the Library’s People’s Choice Awards for fiction and nonfiction were announced in a previous news release: www.lva.virginia.gov/news/press/media_release-vote_in_LVA_peoples_choice_awards.pdf

"The Library of Virginia's annual Literary Awards program provides a special opportunity to honor and thank the many talented authors who live in Virginia or who write about its past and future,” said Librarian of Virginia Sandra G. Treadway. “Their work inspires and informs readers around the world, and it is a delight to highlight and celebrate their amazing work."

The Library of Virginia Literary Awards will be celebrated virtually this year with a week of author conversations and special events, some free, beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2021. Anchoring the week will be the Art in Literature: The Mary Lynn Kotz Award on Friday, October 15, to be held in-person, and the virtual Library of Virginia Literary Awards on Saturday, October 16, with our finalists, presenters, and special guests. This annual event, sponsored by Dominion Energy, attracts library supporters, authors, publishers, and those who enjoy the written word. Award-winning Virginia author Adriana Trigiani will again serve as host for the evening. A full schedule of events with registration links and online platform information will be announced soon.

The winners will be announced on Saturday, October 16, 2021, during the virtual celebration. Each winner will receive an engraved crystal book and a monetary prize of $2,500. For awards information and a list of past winners and finalists, please visit www.lva.virginia.gov/public/litawards/index.htm.

For sponsorship or information on how you can support the 24th Annual Library of Virginia Awards Celebration honoring Virginia authors and friends, please call 804.692.3813.

Original source can be found here.