For the first time in the history of the West Virginia University Press, a title has earned a spot in the Barnes&Noble Discover Great New Writers collection.

M. Glenn Taylor wroteThe Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggartfor the Vandalia Press, the creative writing imprint of the WVU Press. Taylor shares this honor with such renowned authors as Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt (Angelas Ashes), Andre Dubus III (House of Sand and Fog) and Travis Chevalier (Girl with a Pearl Earring).

The Barnes&Noble Discover Great New Writers program has been helping publishers introduce dynamic new literary writers to readers since 1990. Books honored by the program will be featured at every Barnes&Noble store in the country.

The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggartis a fictional tale of the oldest living man in West Virginia. Trouble seems to follow him as he goes through lifewith stints as a sniper in the mine wars, musician and prize-winning reporterbut he always finds a way to triumph.

Taylor was born and raised in Huntington. WhileThe Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggartis his first novel, his stories have been published in such literary journals as The Chattahoochee Review, Mid-American Review, Meridian and Gulf Coast. Taylor teaches English and fiction writing at Harper College in Chicago.

The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart,due out in June, is available for preorder from the WVU Press. For more information, contact the WVU Press atwww.wvupress.comor call 1-866-WVU-PRES.