2018

Bil Lepp

Growing up in a family where the truth was fluid, Bil Lepp became adept at spinning tales and exaggerating circumstances at an early age. A nationally renowned storyteller and five time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest, Bil’s outrageous, humorous tall-tales and witty stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages and from all walks of life. Though a champion liar, his stories often contain morsels of truth which shed light on universal themes. Be it a hunting trip, a funeral, or a visit to the dentist, Bil can find the humor in any situation. Lepp explains that while his stories may not be completely true, they are always honest.

“…Lepp, a cross between Dr. Seuss and…film noir....” -Charleston Gazette

Bil is the author of six books and sixteen audio collections. His first children’s book, The King of Little Things, won the PEN Steven Kroll Award for Picture Book Writing, received a Kirkus Starred review, and favorable reviews from The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, The School Library Journal and other publications. It also won the Zena Sutherland Award, the Parent’s Choice Gold Award, was a finalist for the Irma Black Award, and was chosen to be West Virginia's book at the National Book Festival.

A storyteller, author, and recording artist, Lepp’s works have received awards and recognition from The Parents’ Choice Foundation, The National Parenting Publications Assoc., and the Public Library Assoc. In 2011, Bil was awarded the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award. Lepp has been featured 15 times at the National Storytelling Festival, and performed at major storytelling festivals, at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and at corporate events and functions across the country. He performed at Comedy Central’s Stage on Hudson in Los Angeles, CA.

Bil lives in Charleston, WV with his wife and two children.

The Vandalia Award proclamation presented to Lepp reads:

WHEREAS Bil Lepp can spin a yarn about any subject; and

WHEREAS he began his career as a liar in 1990 when he appeared at the West Virginia Liars Contest which he has won five times; and

WHEREAS, no matter how skewed, his lives and stories offer his audiences and readers a glimpse into the truth about life and West Virginia’s beauty and history; and

WHEREAS he is internationally recognized, having been presented with the National Storytelling Network Circle of Excellence Award and having presented his stories annually at the West Virginia Liars Contest, National Storytelling Festival and at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival; and

WHEREAS his books include award winning children’s publications and he encourages children to write at his school appearances; and

WHEREAS he continues to encourage the creativity of writing and performance every year as an emcee and judge at the West Virginia Liars Contest at the Vandalia Gathering; and

WHEREAS those stories and lies shed light on the humor, hospitality and good nature of West Virginians;

THEREFORE I, by the authority vested in me to foster the preservation of West Virginia’s traditional culture, due present to Bil Lepp the Vandalia Award for the year 2018