UW Professors Book Selected as Spur Award Finalist

University of Wyoming Professor Jeff Lockwood’s book about the energy industry in Wyoming was recently chosen as a Spur Award Finalist by Western Writers of America (WWA).

“Behind the Carbon Curtain: The Energy Industry, Political Censorship, and Free Speech” is a finalist in the Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction category. Published by the University of New Mexico Press, the book tells a story of the conflict between private wealth and free speech.

Since 1953, the Spur Awards have been considered one of the most prestigious awards in American literature. Awards are given for works whose inspiration, imagery and literary excellence best represent the reality and spirit of the American West.

Spur Award winners and finalists will be honored June 20-23 in Billings, Mont., during the WWA’s annual convention.

Lockwood, a professor of natural sciences and humanities, has written numerous nature-based articles and essays that have been published in journals and magazines, including Orion, Wild Earth and High Country News. Additionally, he has written nonfiction science books, as well as meditations. His second mystery novel, “Murder on the Fly,” was recently released. His awards for writing include the Pushcart Prize and the John Burroughs Medal.

For more information about WWA, and to view a list of this year’s winners and finalists, go to www.westernwriters.org.