The Piedmont Laureate program is accepting applications from mystery fiction authors for 2016. Authors must be residents of Wake, Durham or Orange counties. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30th, 2015 by 4:00 p.m.
The primary goal of the Piedmont Laureate program is “to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont region.” The program is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing, enriching the lives of all our citizens.
The program focuses each year on a different literary form. The 2015 Piedmont Laureate is speculative fiction author James Maxey; the 2014 Laureate was author of short fiction Carrie Knowles.
The 2016 Piedmont Laureate will be selected by a committee appointed by the sponsoring agencies. The Laureate will receive a stipend of $5,500 and serve for one year (January 1st to December 31st, 2016). Laureate activities will include presenting readings and workshops, encouraging creative writing, and promoting literature at public events.
The Piedmont Laureate 2016 program sponsors are the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.
Additional information on the Piedmont Laureate program, including guidelines and the application form, is available at www.piedmontlaureate.com or on the websites of the sponsoring agencies. Information on the Orange County Arts Commission can be found at www.artsorange.org.
For more information, contact Martha Shannon, Orange County Arts Commission at mshannon@orangecountync.gov or 919/968-2011 or Belva Parker, Office of Raleigh Arts program director at belva.parker@raleighnc.gov or 919/996-3610.
