Monticello Book Author Wins Award

Ted Dunagan of Monticello was named Georgia Author of the Year for his book, A Yellow Watermelon, at a ceremony Saturday in Kennesaw.

The 45th annual Georgia Author of the Year awards ceremony and banquet was held at Kennesaw State University.

The Georgia Writers Association recognizes Georgia’s authors of excellence by presenting the Georgia Author of the Year Awards. The GAYA has the distinction of being the oldest literary awards in the Southeastern United States while reflecting the current publishing world.
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The GAYA honors both independently published authors, those whose books are published by traditional publishing houses. The awards have grown in prestige and participation since its inception in 1964 by the Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists. The GAYA changed hands in 1990 to Georgia Writers Association and in 2006 GWA began a strong affiliation with Kennesaw State University’s Department of Humanities.

The awards are presented in several categories, including First Novel, Poetry, Fiction, and Lifetime Achievement. Mr. Dunagan won for young adult fiction. This prestigious award is considered to be the oldest literary award in the Southeast and has been awarded to such notables as Terry Kay, Steve Berry and Judith Ortiz Cofer.

For more information, visit the Georgia Writer’s Association at GeorgiaWriters.org.