Gov. Bob Wise applauded the works of West Virginia authors today (Oct. 10) in announcing the release of four new books by West Virginia University Press.

Wise and WVU Press officials unveiled the new releases rich in Appalachian writing during a ceremony held in conjunction with the West Virginia Book Festival, which begins Friday and continues through Saturday (Oct. 11-12) at the CharlestonCivicCenter.

“West Virginia has produced authors teeming with ideas and creativity,”Wise said.”The rugged terrain of the region has formed the backbone of their thoughts, and its natural beauty has energized their imaginations. In the WVU Press launching these new titles, we honor all West Virginia writers, past and present.”

The new releases include works for both general readers and scholars, said Patrick Conner, director of the WVU Press.

“This year, we are proud to launch two new series of books and pleased to see our special West Virginia imprint, Vandalia Press ,_ growing by leaps and bounds,”Conner said _. “We are honored that the governor has taken the time to announce these books and the opening of the West Virginia Book Festival and hope that all West Virginians will be made more aware of all the wonderful writing that takes place in our state.”

WVU Press published two of the new works for the general readerthrough Vandalia Press. The imprint was created to publish imaginative literature from throughout the state.

“Oradell at Sea”by Meredith Sue Willis is about a spunky West Virginia woman whose travels on a cruise ship take her far from her home state, but not from her roots. According to Silas House, author of”Clays Quilt,”“The most extraordinary people are the seemingly ordinary ones. Oradell is one of the best, most fully drawn characters youll ever have the privilege of meeting.”

The other Vandalia Press title is a first-of-its-kind anthology called”Backcountry: Contemporary Writing in West Virginia . “The anthology brings together 58 works from 22 of the states finest writers, including Denise Giardina, Lee Maynard and Breece DJ Pancake. The editor of the collection is West Virginias poet laureate, Irene McKinney. Many of these writers are being featured on the new West Virginia Public Radio series,”In Their Own Country.”

The latest Press offerings also include the first two volumes in the new”West Virginia and Appalachia”series under the general editorship of WVU history professor Ronald Lewis. These two books provide fascinating glimpses into the states past.

“Transnational West Virginia: Ethnic Communities and Economic Change, 1840-1940,”the first title in the series, offers insight into the immigration of diverse ethnic groups to the state. Also edited by WVU history professor Kenneth Fones-Wolf, the volumes essays were written by noted scholars of regional and labor studies and will enlighten many readers about the immigration of the Irish, Italians, Germans and many others who have left their cultural mark on the MountainState.

The second volume in this new series is a personal account of an 1851 wilderness adventure called”The Blackwater Chronicle”by Philip Pendleton Kennedy. The work paints a detailed picture of the breathtaking CanaanValley landscape not yet marred by civilization. The release of this new edition, originally published almost 150 years ago, was edited by WVU English professor Timothy Sweet, who also wrote a new introduction detailing the importance of the book for todays readers.

Willis, McKinney, Lewis and Sweet were on hand to present autographed copies of the new books to the governor.

Kanawha County Public Library President Kenneth Bailey, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the West Virginia Book Festival, thanked WVU Press officials for their involvement in the festival.

“We are justifiably proud of the accomplishments of West Virginia writers, and the festival is a particularly good forum for promoting West Virginia authors and topics,”Bailey said.”The participation of the West Virginia University Press is particularly appreciated to help achieve the festivals goals.”

In addition to its new releases, the WVU Press is also offering a limited edition of rare collectable art prints from the Gramlee collection this fall that celebrate the popular culture and creative history of West Virginia. These wood-block prints are made from the original blocks from the S. George flour milling company, which decorated its flour sacks with these images as far back as 1895. They are available singly or in a set of five.

The Press has recently released a catalogue that provides information on all of the Pressrecent book publications as well as three CDs of Appalachian fiddle players that will delight music lovers.

These WVU Press publications and others will be available at the book festival.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the catalogue, contact WVU Press at 304-293-8400 or visitwww.wvupress.com.