Hillsborough children's book author, educator and presenter John Claude Bemis has been selected as the 2013 Piedmont Laureate. His appointment was announced on the Murphey School Radio Show on Saturday, February 23rd. Co-sponsored by the Alamance County Arts Council, City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission & United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County, the Piedmont Laureate Program’s mission is to “promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont region.” He will receive an honorarium of $6,500 & serve until December 31, 2013 presenting public readings/workshops.

"John Bemis brought his book and aspects of American folklore alive for our students with a lively and entertaining program," said Dr. Rhonda Zayas-Palmer, a librarian at Ravenscroft School. "He did what has become increasingly difficult in our video age - he inspired them to read!"

An inspiring speaker and entertaining performer, John brings his passion for music, folklore and spinning exciting tales to his novels and presentations. The first novel in his Clockwork Dark trilogy, The Nine Pound Hammer, was nominated for the North Carolina Children's Book Award and was selected as a New York Public Library Best Children's Book for Reading and Sharing. The trilogy continues with The Wolf Tree and The White City and has been described as "original and fresh" and "a unique way of creating fantasy." His latest novel is The Prince Who Fell from the Sky. A musician and educator, John lives with his wife and daughter in Hillsborough, NC.

For John's schedule/blog: www.piedmontlaureate.com