Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
Nominations for the 2026 Award are open!
The Asheville Museum of History is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Originated by the Louis Lipinsky Family, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award has been presented by the Western North Carolina Historical Association (now the Asheville Museum of History) since 1955. The award comes with a $1,000 cash prize.
The deadline for submission of nominated works is July 15, 2026. Anyone with knowledge of an author who meets the qualification criteria may nominate the author for the award.
To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:
- It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered.
- The publication date must be between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
- The author must be a native of Western North Carolina or a resident of Western NC for at least 12 months prior to the closing date for the Award.
- An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in Western NC.
Western North Carolina includes the Qualla Boundary and the following 23 counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.
Nomination letters must specify the following eligibility criteria:
- date of publication
- birthplace or residence of author
- setting of work
Nominators should submit a cover letter along with three copies of the work by July 15, 2026, to:
Asheville Museum of History
Thomas Wolfe Literary Award Committee
283 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
An awards ceremony and reception, in honor of the finalists and 2026 award recipient, will be held in December 2026.
Catherine Frank, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville, will chair the award panel this year.
For questions, email Steven Nickollof: education@ashevillehistory.org
Leigh Ann Henion won the 2025 award for Night Magic
2025 WInner
Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Night
Leigh Ann Henion
“In some cultures, a cord of three strands represents individuality, family, and community. With Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark, Leigh Ann Henion has woven a wonderful triple braid. First and foremost, she celebrates the individuality of living things – both fauna and flora – who live their best lives in darkness. Second, she introduces her young son to the dark and explores, with this growing member of her own family, the challenges and treasures of darkness. Lastly, she joins human communities that privilege ‘marvels of the dark,’ building stories around each adventure and exciting the reader’s curiosity.”
– Jim Stokely, Award Committee Member