WVU Press’ recently published book, “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies” by Deesha Philyaw, is one of ten titles longlisted for the National Book Award in fiction, which is considered the most prestigious recognition in American book publishing.
“My colleagues and I are extraordinarily proud of Deesha’s book, and we’re thrilled to see it among the ten candidates for the award recognizing the year’s best work of fiction,” said Derek Krissoff, director of the WVU Press. “That we’re able to help project our home University’s name and reputation in such a prominent way, despite being a tiny publisher with a full-time staff of just four, is especially gratifying.”
The short story collection explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good.
Author Deesha Philyaw added, "My agent shared ‘Church Ladies’ with large and small publishers where she fell it would be understood and fully supported as it made its way into the world. She’d met with WVU Press the previous year, and she knew they were committed to supporting and elevating the voices of regional authors, so they immediately came to mind when it was time to pitch. Their positive response was swift. I’m thrilled with the care and attention they’ve given the collection."
Called “tender, fierce, proudly black and beautiful,” in a starred review from Kirkus and “triumphant” in Publishers Weekly, “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies” “marks the emergence of a bona fide literary treasure,” according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Winners of the National Book Award, presented by the National Book Foundation, will be announced Nov. 18.