Alexandra Salerno of Columbus, Ohio, Finalist In 2011 James Jones First Novel Fellowship

WILKES-BARRE, PA (10/05/2011)(readMedia)-- Alexandra Salerno of Columbus, Ohio, was named a finalist in the 20th Annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship for her manuscript The Butcher's Daughter. The competition is co-sponsored by the Wilkes University Graduate Creative Writing Program and the James Jones Literary Society.

The James Jones First Novel Fellowship was established in 1992 to "honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture as exemplified by (the writings of) James Jones." It is awarded to an American author of a first novel-in-progress. This year's competition drew 667 submissions.

The Butcher's Daughter is a literary thriller spanning the period between pre-World War I Italy and depression-era New York. Dolores, daughter of Italian-immigrant parents, discovers evidence of a long-ago crime. She begins a journey that sends her cross-dressing through Manhattan's meatpacking district, uncovering her family's connection to the early days of Italian fascism.

The Fellowship awarded first place and $10,000 to Robert Shuster of Bedford, N.Y., for his novel To Zenzi.

Runners-up in the competition were Lyn Fairchild Hawks of Chapel Hill, N.C., for her manuscript St. Michael, Pray For Us; and Carol Piasente of Berkeley, Calif., for her manuscript Known Unto God. They were each awarded $750.

Sophie Rosenblum of Tallahassee, Fla., was also a finalist for her manuscript City, Beach, Farm, Forest.

Requests for guidelines for entering the annual competition should be sent, along with a stamped, self-address envelope, to James Jones First Novel Fellowship, c/o The Graduate Creative Writing Department, Wilkes University, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, or via e-mail to jamesjonesfirstnovel@wilkes.edu.

The submission deadline for entries is March 1 of each year.