Shannon Reed, a lecturer in Pitt’s creative writing program, has been named a semifinalist for the 21st Thurber Prize for American Humor for her book, “Why Did I Get a B? And Other Mysteries We’re Discussing in the Faculty Lounge.”
Past winners for the Thurber Prize include Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart, David Sedaris and Pittsburgh native Damon Young.
“I don’t know if I can truly encompass all of the many things [this nomination] means to me,” Reed told Pittsburgh Magazine. “I’ve known about the Thurber Prize for a long time, and so many of the humor writers I admire and have read for years have been nominated for, or won it. To be included in that list is overwhelming and, frankly, unbelievable.”
Reed’s book is a collection of personal essays and humor that “explores all the joys, challenges and absurdities of being a teacher.” It came out in June 2020 from Atria Books.
The prize winner will be announced at a live ceremony on April 22.