Ernest J. Gaines Award

Entries for the 17th annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence will be accepted through October 15, 2023. Initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to honor Mr. Gaines’ extraordinary contribution to the literary world, the award recognizes the outstanding work of emerging African American fiction writers. The winner receives a $15,000 prize. Eligibility and submission details for the award can be found at ernestjgainesaward.org/criteria. Entries must be a work of fiction – novels or collections of short stories – published between Oct. 1, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2023. Galleys for a 2023 publication are also accepted. The winning author, chosen by a national panel of judges, will be required to attend an award ceremony in Baton Rouge in 2024 and participate in media and educational outreach activities during that week.