BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A pair of Bellingham authors are in the running for one of the state’s top literary honors.

The Washington Center for the Book has announced 41 finalists across seven categories for this year’s Washington State Book Awards.

Among them are Bellingham residents Rena Priest and Cori Winrock, who are both finalists in the creative nonfiction and memoir category.

Positively Uncivilized (left) and Alterations at Village Books in Fairhaven. Photo by Emma Toscani

Priest, a member of the Lummi Nation, was nominated for her latest work titled “Positively Uncivilized,” a collection of 12 essays examining humanity’s impact on the planet.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Priest was also selected as one of two authors to represent the state at this year’s National Book Festival, which took place last weekend.

Winrock was selected for her extended essay titled “Alterations,” which follows a group of women who turn wedding dresses into burial clothing for infants.

The winners will be announced on Sept. 15.