University writing instructor and alumna Charlotte Matthews has won the Fellowship of Southern Writers' 2007 New Writing Award for poetry. The award recognizes Matthews' first full-length book of poetry, "Green Stars," released in February 2006.
George Garrett, chair of the New Writing Award committee, said in choosing recipients of the award, the committee looks for written work worthy of recognition rather than following a firm set of criteria.
"What stood out for me [is that] these poems are rooted ... in a reality that we can understand and know," said Garrett, who is also one of the founding members of FSW.
Matthews said her work is about "exactness" and exploring hidden aspects of human life.
"It is really ... about looking carefully at what is small and brilliant and exquisite," Matthews said. "It ... has a sense of reverence for the natural world."
For Matthews, the news of the award came at a difficult time.
"I was going to treatment for cancer, so it felt like a rest from things that were hard."
Garrett spoke highly of Matthews's work, describing it as "moving" and noting that it is "worth in every way celebrating. This poetry invites the reader to share the experience and contribute to it. She invites you to take the walk with her."
FSW meets biennially during the Arts & Education Council Conference on Southern Literature in Chattanooga, Tenn., to award those receiving the recognition. The fellowship currently has 50 members who work on committees that internally nominate and select the award winners, according to Susan Robinson, executive director of AEC and executive secretary of FSW.
"They have to show excellence in writing, and Charlotte Matthews does that," Robinson said.
FSW was founded in 1987 by 22 members including John Hope Franklin, Robert Penn Warren and Louis Ruben in order "to recognize and encourage literature in the South ... through commemorating outstanding literary achievement, encouraging young writers through awards, prizes and fellowships [and] recognizing distinction in writing by election to membership," according to the group's Web site.
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