Attention: High School Classes of 2007 and 2008, the End is Near: Thirty Days Remain to Submit Essays for the First Annual Avar Press Scholarships

Wilmington, NC (PRWEB) June 3, 2006 –-

“Xen” is an appeal to the current generation becoming concerned with our society’s quagmire of war, torture, animal cruelty, racism, sexism, religious intolerance, propaganda, & consumerism. Released in 2004 by second time author, D.J. Solomon, this timely novel from the future has been used in the curriculum for creative writing at Indiana University and has been described as a “satirical allegory where the battle of the sexes has been settled for good,” by the Wilmington Star-News.

The Competition was announced last November after Solomon, a Stanford M.D. with a private practice in rural North Carolina, persuaded Avar Press to sponsor a scholarship competition for high school students, to recognize outstanding teens. He has publicly pledged at least 10% of all proceeds in any capacity from “Xen” toward charity and chose this opportunity instead of specific bequests for 2005.

The response has been inspiring, particularly given the Press's stated caveat about the book: because of the advanced vocabulary and uncensored nature of the characters' thoughts, this novel is not recommended for teens under the age of 16. It is empowered by a rich vocabulary and sprinkled with strong language.

But time is running out. Essays must be no longer than 1500 words and must be received before June 30, 2006. The Scholarship Competition is open to all members of US high school classes of 2007 & 2008, including homeschoolers. The first place winner will receive $500, second place $250, and third place $100. Matching awards will be awarded to the high schools. All winning essays will be published. Winners will be announced by September 1, 2006, in time for college applications.

Complete details can be obtained from the Avar Press website, including an application. "Xen," now in a second printing, may be obtained from traditional and online retailers as well as from school and public libraries.

About the author:

D.J. Solomon is a Stanford M.D., Brandeis Phi Beta Kappa, and Westinghouse Science Talent Search Scholarship winner. He has a private practice in rural North Carolina. “Xen" is his first novel, second book, the first published in 1979 by W.B. Saunders, when he was 25. He lives with two dogs and has three children. He has several works in various stages of development, both fiction and non-fiction.

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