The Hub City Publications Committee, comprised of five members of our board of directors, reviews manuscript submissions twice a year, in April and October. They are looking for books that are either literary in nature (fiction, poetry, memoir) or serve to educate people about the place they live. They are also looking for books that will find a broad audience.

There's something for everyone this year, as the Hub City Writers Project releases a Christmas feast of new books by Spartanburg authors.

Hub City's newest book, TWENTY: South Carolina Poetry Fellows, is not just another poetry collection. Here, 20 Palmetto State writers who have received the state's highest honor in creative writing present five of their favorite poems and tell readers what these works reveal about their lives as poets.

Hub City and the Spartanburg County Historical Association celebrated the release of When the Soldiers Came to Town at a reception and book signing at the Regional Museum of History, 100 East South Main Street, Sunday, Nov. 21. In addition to getting a book and author signatures, patrons toured the wide-ranging historical exhibit of Camp Wadsworth (1917-1919) and Camp Croft (1941-1945) artifacts.

Hub City has begun a writing project that will encourage people whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS to become creative writers. Thanks to a grant from the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, Hub City will provide a writer-in-residence to Piedmont Care Inc., the local nonprofit agency that serves HIV+ people and their families in our community. Kris Neely, a poet, essayist and former English teacher, will work with clients, their families and caregivers to develop creative writing pieces for a Hub City publication called Hidden Voices. Entry topics will be diverse and will not be limited to HIV/AIDS.