"This well-written, evocative work-in-progress draws the reader into a starkly beautiful landscape the author knows well," the judges said in their citation. The fellowship was created in 2001 to financially assist a writer at a crucial point in his or her career and is awarded to a sole author annually.

"I'm deeply appreciative to the PEN American Center for its recognition of my work, and to Phyllis Naylor for making the fellowship possible," said Les Becquets. "I'm thrilled to have this opportunity."

The PEN American Center is the largest of PEN International's 141 centers in the world. International PEN calls itself the world's oldest human rights organization and the world's oldest international literary organization. The American Center has 2,900 writers, editors and translators as members.

Les Becquets is a resident of Concord, New Hampshire. Her previous novels, The Stones of Mourning Creek and Love, Cajun Style, received starred reviews and numerous awards. Les Becquets was hailed by Publisher's Weekly as a writer to watch. Season of Ice is her third novel and will be released by Bloomsbury Publishing in January of 2008. To learn more about Diane Les Becquets visit Southern New Hampshire University or call the School of Liberal Arts 603 645 9692.