Pulitzer Prize-Winner Claudia Emerson Inducted into Fellowship of Southern Writers
Claudia Emerson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and English professor at the University of Mary Washington, will be inducted into the prestigious Fellowship of Southern Writers during its biennial meeting at the Conference on Southern Literature. Emerson won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for Late Wife. She has written five books of poetry, with a sixth forthcoming, and has won numerous other honors. We are fortunate that each April she has helped our library system by judging the Teen Poetry Contest and acting as presenter for Teen Poetry Night.
The Fellowship of Southern Writers, a highly selective organization that seeks to recognize and encourage literature in the South, was founded in 1987 by a group of authors that included James Dickey, John Hope Franklin, Walker Percy, Elizabeth Spencer, Robert Penn Warren and Eudora Welty. 
Emerson will be welcomed into the fellowship alongside eleven other distinguished writers including Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Emerson will be welcomed into the fellowship alongside eleven other distinguished writers including Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller, To Kill a Mockingbird.To be considered for membership, a writer must have been born and raised or have resided for a significant part of his or her life in the South, or have written works that in character and spirit embody aspects of the Southern experience.
In addition to owning and sharing Dr. Emerson’s books, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library has also produced a video in which she is interviewed about her life and work.
Attention, Teen Poets! Since 2003, Claudia has judged Central Rappahannock Regional Library's annual Teen Poetry Contest and presented the Teen Poetry Night.
Entries for the Teen Poetry Contest were accepted from April 1-12 in two categories: Grades 7–9 and Grades 10–12. Winners will be awarded prizes and invited to read their work at Teen Poetry Night on Tuesday, April 26, from 7:30 to 9 pm at the Headquarters theater. Whether you entered the contest or just want to hear the winning young poets present their work, we encourage you to attend. Sign-up by phone or in person is on-going for grades 7 to adult.The information in the preceding article is largely drawn from a UMW news release written by Heather Brady.
More about Claudia Emerson Online:
Fredericksburg Songwriter’s Showcase: Claudia Emerson and Kent Ippolito
Claudia and her husband Kent, a seasoned musician who has performed with bluegrass, rock, folk, jazz, blues, ragtime and ethnic music ensembles, have been writing songs together since 2002. They are at work on their first CD of original songs, entitled “No Rain.”
Home at Claudia Emerson
The author’s home page has a bit about her latest book, contact information, lists of her courses, events, and related links.
Virginia Women in History, 2009: Claudia Emerson
In 2009, Claudia Emerson was honored by the Library of Virginia. Find here biographical notes and a sample of her work, “The Last Christmas.”
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