The South Carolina Arts Commission and its literary partners announce a call for submissions for the biennial South Carolina First Novel Competition. The application deadline is Jan. 5, 2010; a winner will be announced in May. The contest will be judged by Bret Lott. Lott is the author of 12 books, most recently Ancient Highway (Random House, 2008). He is a former editor of the Southern Review and teaches creative writing at the College of Charleston.

Partnering again with the SC Arts Commission and the Hub City Writers Project for this competition are the South Carolina State Library and the Humanities Council SC. The winning author will receive a book contract with the Hub City Writers Project, an award-winning independent press in Spartanburg, S.C. The winner will also receive a $1,000 advance against royalties, and Hub City will publish at least 1,500 hardback copies of the book, including a book for every public library branch in the state.

Brian Ray of Columbia was the winner of the inaugural novel competition in 2009. His book, Through the Pale Door, was published by Hub City in June and has been widely and favorably reviewed across the Southeast. Booklist gave it a starred review and called Ray "a talent to watch." The novel is being nationally distributed by John F. Blair Co. of Winston-Salem, N.C.

"Having Hub City as my publisher has proven that two roads really do diverge in a wood, and that taking the less-traveled one pays off," said Ray, who has more than a dozen readings scheduled across the Southeast this fall and will appear at the Decatur Book Festival, the N.C. Literary Festival, and the South Carolina Book Festival. "Other first-time authors have a book published, but with this unique South Carolina literary partnership I've got a book plus a hundred friends and allies who believe in me."

The project is funded in part by Library Services and Technology Act Partnership grant monies administered by the SC State Library and the Institute of Museums and Library Services.

For information about First Novel Competition eligibility requirements and application guidelines, visit http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/firstnovel/index.shtml or call (803) 734-8696.

The S.C. Arts Commission

The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.

The State Library

The South Carolina State Library is the primary administrator of federal and state support for the state's libraries. The Library is a national model for innovation, collaboration, leadership and effectiveness.  The Library's mission is to optimize South Carolina's investment in library and information services. In 1969, as the result of action by the General Assembly, the State Library Board was re-designated as the South Carolina State Library and assumed responsibility for public library development, library service for state institutions, service for the blind and physically handicapped, and library service to state government agencies. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Library is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and other sources.  For more information, visit or call 803-734-8666.

The Humanities Council^SC

The Humanities Council^SC is in its 36th year as the state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The mission of The Humanities Council^SC is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. The Humanities Council^SC programs and initiatives are balanced, reflect sensitivity to a diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue, demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations. For more information, visit or call 803-771-2477.

Hub City Writers Project