Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence

あーねすと・じぇい・げいんずぶんがくしょう

An annual literary award recognizing emerging African American novelists. Cash prizes are awarded to winners.

FictionAfrican-American literatureLiterary award

Established: 2007
Organizer: Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Category: General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Selection Method: Selection
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Application Deadline: around October
Status: Active

Description

The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence honors the literary legacy of Ernest J. Gaines and was established through a donation from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. It is an annual literary award targeting emerging African American fiction writers. First awarded in 2007, winners receive a cash prize (US$15,000 as of 2020) to support their dedication to writing. Judging is conducted by a panel of judges, and it is considered one of the important awards supporting African American writers in the U.S.

Prize

Main Prize: Cash prize (financial support for the winner).
Cash Prize: 15,000 USD

Recognition and publicity opportunities from winning
Support for writing activities
Prestige of the award

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Application/Nomination Receipt	Selection Committee (Panel) — Anthony Grooms, Edward P. Jones, Elizabeth Nunez, Francine Prose, Patricia Towers	—	Finalists or nominations may be announced on the official website (varies by year).
Final Judging/Winner Determination	The above panel (members may vary by year)	—	Winners are announced on the official website and via press releases, etc.

Application/Nomination Receipt

Judges Selection Committee (Panel) — Anthony Grooms, Edward P. Jones, Elizabeth Nunez, Francine Prose, Patricia Towers

Announcement Finalists or nominations may be announced on the official website (varies by year).

Final Judging/Winner Determination

Judges The above panel (members may vary by year)

Announcement Winners are announced on the official website and via press releases, etc.

Criteria

Literary excellence (style and expression)
Originality and unique writer voice (voice)
Work completeness (structure and character depiction)
Future potential as a writer (rising author potential)
Fiction work and meeting eligibility (African American writer)

Application Tips

Dos

Always check the application requirements (eligibility, submission format, deadline) in advance
Enhance the work's polish (proofreading, revision, structure review)
Clarify your unique voice (voice) and perspective as an author
Follow specifications for submission format, page count, etc.