LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2005) − UK writing professor Kim Edwards’ first novel, “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” has been chosen as a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers title, as well as the Lexington Herald-Leader’s book club selection for July.

The novel, released at the end of June and in its third printing, is a testament to the way life can take unexpected turns, and how two families’ lives are intertwined in mystery, loss and grief. It is a tale of redemptive love.

“It’s a great thrill to have my book out in the world,” Edwards said. “The response from readers and critics has been wonderful.”

Edwards, a professor in the English Department in the College of Arts and Sciences, has won numerous awards including a Whiting Award and the Nelson Algren Award. She is the author of a collection of short stories, “The Secrets of a Fire King,” which was an alternate for the PEN/Hemingway Award. Her stories and essays have appeared in “Ploughshares,” “Zoetrope,” Anteaus,” “Story,” and “The Paris Review” and have received National Magazine Awards for excellence in fiction and a Pushcart Prize. Edwards received her bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, and earned her Master of Fine Arts in fiction and her Master of Arts in linguistics at the University of Iowa. She has been at UK for three years.