Two books from the West Virginia University Press,Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian CoalfieldsandAfflicting the Comfortable: Journalism and Politics in West Virginia ,have been selected as finalists for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. Both are competing in the autobiography/memoir category.

ForeWord Magazine is a trade publication that began in May 1998. Its mission is to promote great books through reviews and feature stories, exclusively showcasing independent presses.

The Book of the Year Award was established to celebrate and promote the literary achievements of independent publishers and their authors. Each year a jury of librarians, booksellers and reviewers judge the categories and select winners based on editorial excellence and professional production, as well as the originality of the narrative and the value the book adds to its genre. This year’s winners will be announced May 20 at Book Expo America .

This is an exciting opportunity for the Press. It would be great if one book won the Gold Award and the other the Silver,said Sherry McGraw, marketing director of the Press.

Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfieldschronicles the senator’s experiences from his boyhood in the early 1920s to his election in 2000, which won him an unprecedented eighth term in the U.S. Senate. Byrd offers commentary on national and international events that occurred throughout his long life in public service.

Thomas Stafford’sAfflicting the Comfortabletakes its readers inside West Virginia politics as it documents the author’s lifelong dedication to the field of investigative reporting. During Stafford’s career, his investigations brought about the downfall of a governor and an administration that had robbed the state and the citizens of West Virginia for years.

I am truly honored that my father’s book is being considered for this award. I know he would be proud,said Margo Stafford, daughter of Thomas Stafford.

For more information, visit www.wvupress.com or call 1-866-WVUPRESS.