Anthony Varallo, writing professor at the College of Charleston, S.C., is winner of this year's $15,000 Drue Heinz Literature Prize.

The 36-year-old author's short-story manuscript, "Out Loud," was selected by prize judge Scott Turow, who called it "awfully damn good." There were more than 300 entries.

Varallo was born in Media, Delaware County, and earned graduate degrees at the University of Iowa's writers' workshop and University of Missouri.

He's the 28th winner of the prize, supported by the widow of H.J. Heinz II through the University of Pittsburgh Press. The press will publish Varallo's collection in the fall.

It's Christmas in January for the writers and artists who create children's books -- and Santa Claus is the American Library Association.

Each year at this time, the ALA announces its choices for best books of the year. The winners for 2008:

John Newbery Medal -- Laura Amy Schlitz, author of "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village" (Candlewick). This award recognizes the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.

Randolph Caldecott Medal -- Brian Selznick, illustrator of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" (Scholastic). This prize honors the most distinguished picture book.

Michael L. Printz Award -- Geraldine McCaughrean, author of "The White Darkness" (HarperTempest), named best young adult literature.

Coretta Scott King Award -- Christopher Paul Curtis, author of "Elijah of Buxton" (Scholastic). He was recognized as the outstanding African-American author of children's books.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award -- Mo Willems, author of "There Is a Bird on Your Head" (Hyperion), called most distinguished book for beginning readers.

The ALA named Walter Dean Myers as its author of distinction of children's books.

The announcements were made yesterday in Philadelphia, site of the association's annual meeting.

Tonight: Novelist Patricia Marx visits Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2705 E. Carson St., South Side, at 7 p.m. She'll be promoting the paperback release of her comic novel, "Him Her Him Again The End of Him." 412-381-3600.

Friday: Choice Cuts Reading Series presents three poets -- Sophie Klahr, Sten Carlson and Dan Remein -- for its 7:30 p.m. program at Slaughterhouse Gallery and Studios, 5136 Butler St., Lawrenceville. Cost is $3 at the door(choicecuts.org).

Jan. 22: Andrew O'Toole, author of "Sweet William," the biography of Pittsburgh boxer Billy Conn, will be signing his book at Joseph-Beth Booksellers at 7 p.m.

Jan. 26: Mystery Lovers Bookshop, 514 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, brings suspense author Steve Berry in for its Coffee and Crime breakfast at 10 a.m. Berry's latest is "The Venetian Betrayal." Cost is $5. Reservations: 412-828-4877.