Robert Goolrick to receive UW-Whitewater Chancellor's Regional Literary Award

September 08, 2011

New York Times bestselling author Robert Goolrick will be honored with the seventh annual UW-Whitewater Chancellor's Regional Literary Award. The 2011 recipient will be recognized for his compelling novel, "A Reliable Wife."

Goolrick is also the author of a startling memoir titled "The End of the World As We Know It."

"I am pleased to have Mr. Goolrick receive this award. His writing is beautiful as well as thought-provoking," Chancellor Richard Telfer said. "This book takes us back to the early 20th century in northern Wisconsin and captures a different time and place than previous winners. The twists and turns in this story keep the audience engaged with characters who continue to amaze the reader."

Goolrick, who lives in New York City, will be on campus Monday, Oct. 10, for a 7 p.m. reading in the Summers Auditorium at the James R. Connor University Center. The event is free and open to the public.

"I'm really excited to get the chance, not only to read at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, but to join, for a few days, the life of the campus," Goolrick said. "And being part of the curriculum is the greatest honor any book can receive."

The Chancellor's Regional Literary Award honors a living author who has demonstrated a regional connection to the Upper Midwest in his or her published works of prose, poetry, nonfiction or drama.

The first award was given in April 2006 to C.J. Hribal, a professor at Marquette University, for his novel, "The Company Car." In April 2007, A. Manette Ansay was honored for her body of work including "Vinegar Hill," "Limbo" and "Blue Water." In April 2008, Michael Perry was given the honor for his body of work including "Population 485" and "Truck: A Love Story." In October 2008, Jane Hamilton was honored for her body of work including "A Map of the World" and "The Book of Ruth." In October 2009, David Rhodes was honored for "Driftless." In October 2010, Agate Nesaule was honored for "A Woman in Amber" and "In Love with Jerzy Kosinski."