Calvin Trillin, Parks and Rec writer vie for Thurber prize

CBC News

Posted: Aug 15, 2012 1:38 PM ET

Last Updated: Aug 15, 2012 1:37 PM ET

Author Calvin Trillin, seen at his Greenwich Village townhouse in 2006, is nominated for the Thurber Prize. (Richard Drew/Associated Press)

New York humorist Calvin Trillin and Parks and Recreation writer Nate DiMeo are among the finalists for this year’s Thurber Prize for American Humor.

Trillin, who pokes fun at food, travel and family in his books, is nominated for Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin. The collection compiles 40 years of his writing.

DiMeo, a staff writer for NBC's Parks and Recreation, is a finalist for Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America. The book explores the fictional town where the TV comedy is set.

Also nominated is Patricia Marx for her novel Starting from Happy, a comic love story involving a lingerie designer who is indifferent to romance.

The $5,000 US prize, which comes with a commemorative crystal plaque, honour the "outstanding book of humor writing" for the past year and is named after author James Thurber, known for his short stories published in New Yorker magazine.

The winner will be disclosed Oct. 1.

With files from The Associated Press

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