Durham County Novelist is 2010 Piedmont Laureate

Durham County novelist Zelda Lockhart has been selected as the 2010 Piedmont Laureate. She is the author of two novels, Fifth Born, a 2002 Barnes & Noble Discovery selection and Cold Running Creek, which won a 2008 Honor Fiction Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

In June 2010, Ms. Lockhart’s third novel, Fifth Born II: The Hundredth Turtle, will be published. Her other works of fiction, poetry and essays can be found in anthologies, journals and magazines.

She received her bachelor’s in English from Norfolk State University, a master’s in English from Old Dominion University and a certificate in writing, directing and editing film from the New York Film Academy.

Lockhart will receive an honorarium of $7,000 and serve as laureate for one year. She will present public readings and workshops, participate at select public functions and create at least one original activity to expand appreciation of literature. Her schedule of activities will be posted at the Piedmont Laureate Web site.

The Piedmont Laureate program is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing. Co-sponsored by the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Alamance County Arts Council, Durham Arts Council, Johnston County Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, the program’s key goal is to “promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont region.”

Learn more about the Piedmont Laureate program »
Visit Zelda Lockhart’s Web site »
Watch videos of Zelda talking about her work»