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Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jayne Anne Phillips, a West Virginia University alumna, explores themes of resilience and humanity in her writing, often inspired by her home state. Phillips’ latest novel, Night Watch, set in post-Civil War West Virginia, took nearly eight years to complete and centers on characters protecting loved ones in a time of trauma. Her journey as a writer began at WVU, where mentors like Judith Stitzel supported her growth amid the social and political turbulence of the 1970s. Phillips, reflecting on today’s social climate, believes students should have a voice in addressing complex political challenges.

Book Value: Jayne Anne Phillips (English, ’74) writes about what she knows best

WVU Magazine /

West Virginia Roots and Literary Resilience: Jayne Anne Phillips Reflects on Her Journey and New Novel Night Watch