Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
1 appearances
-
Edition 17 (2023) Winner
Aaliyah Bilal
アーリヤ・ビラル
Aaliyah Bilal
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Sunni Islam
- Residence History
- Suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Short story writer
- Active Years
- 2023-
- Influenced By
- Toni Morrison, Gwendolyn Brooks, Edward P. Jones
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oberlin College | — | African American Studies and Spanish | BA | 2000-2004 | United States |
| University of London | — | — | MA | — | United Kingdom |
Oberlin College
African American Studies and Spanish
Degree:
BA
Period:
2000-2004
Year of Graduation:
2004
Country:
United States
University of London
Degree:
MA
Country:
United Kingdom
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | National Book Award for Fiction (Finalist) | Temple Folk | — | National Book Foundation | Finalist |
| 2024 | Aspen Words Literary Prize (Finalist) | Temple Folk | — | Aspen Words | Finalist |
| 2024 | Whiting Award | — | — | Whiting Foundation | Winner |
| 2024 | Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence | Temple Folk | — | Ernest J. Gaines Award | Winner |
National Book Award for Fiction (Finalist)
2023
Work:
Temple Folk
Organization:
National Book Foundation
Result:
Finalist
Aspen Words Literary Prize (Finalist)
2024
Work:
Temple Folk
Organization:
Aspen Words
Result:
Finalist
Whiting Award
2024
Organization:
Whiting Foundation
Result:
Winner
Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
2024
Work:
Temple Folk
Organization:
Ernest J. Gaines Award
Result:
Winner
Awards & Nominations
Whiting Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 39 (2024) Winner
Works
Major Works
Temple Folk
2023 Short story collectionA collection of short stories about the lives of Black Muslims in America in the 1970s, including their participation in and interactions with the Nation of Islam. The book explores community relationships, faith, and questions of identity.
Black communityIslam1970sIdentityFaith and community
Bibliography
- Temple Folk
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Restrained, delicate character-focused proseRealist short-story structure
- Recurring Motifs
- Faith and religious practiceCommunity bondsMemory and the past
Legacy
Her debut Temple Folk brought critical attention, earning a National Book Award finalist spot and multiple prizes. Her work on the experiences of Black Muslims is recognized as an important voice in contemporary American literature.
Trivia
- When her debut was named a National Book Award finalist, it was reported she did not yet have an agent.
- Grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
- Graduated from Oberlin College (Class of '04).