Shepherdstown author Malcolm Ater recently was awarded for his newest novel, ‘Tyler’s Mountain Magic.’ (Submitted photo)

Shepherdstown author and Harpers Ferry Junior High and Harpers Ferry High School special education teacher Malcolm Ater recently was awarded for his new novel, “Tyler’s Mountain Magic.”

Ater’s book received best book length story for 2011 from the West Virginia Writers, Inc., at the West Virginia Writers Conference in Ripley, W.Va., last month.

The book, “Tyler’s Mountain Magic,” is a novel based on actual events in which a boy, plagued with cystic fibrosis, leads his junior high wrestling team to a victorious season based on what many thought would be an impossible dream. The book was released in April.

Ater frequently contributes to state magazine “Goldenseal,” as well as has written three education comic books. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Old Dominion University where he was varsity baseball pitcher. Ater went on to complete his master’s in special education at West Virginia University.