 Literature in Virginia often deals with the state 's extensive and sometimes troubled past . The works of Pulitzer Prize winner Ellen Glasgow often dealt with social inequalities and the role of women in her culture . Glasgow 's peer and close friend James Branch Cabell wrote extensively about the changing position of gentry in the Reconstruction era , and challenged its moral code with Jurgen , A Comedy of Justice . William Styron approached history in works such as The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie 's Choice . Tom Wolfe has occasionally dealt with his southern heritage in bestsellers like I Am Charlotte Simmons . Mount Vernon native Matt <unk> received critical acclaim for his historic novel The Wettest County in the World about <unk> in Franklin County during prohibition . Virginia also names a state Poet Laureate , currently Ron Smith of Richmond , who will serve until mid @-@ 2016 . 
