A lesson before winning

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is by far one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century, and its author, Ernest Gaines, is perhaps the most prolific author ever to come out of the bayous of Louisiana.

Wanting to honor and thank Gaines for his continuing contributions to the state and the literary community, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation created the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence to inspire a new generation of black writers in hopes that they too would one day achieve the literary recognition Gaines has earned, not only as a black writer, but as one of international importance.

“It was really a way for us to honor Mr. Gaines and celebrate a new stock of writers,” says Nathan Self of Baton Rouge Area Foundation. “We’ve gotten a tremendous response with 29 entries from across the country, so the judges have their work cut out for them.”

The panel of nationally recognized judges—including Tina McElroy Ansa, Rudolph P. Byrd, John F. Callahan, Elizabeth Nunez and Patricia Towers—selected Louisiana writer Olympia Vernon as the first winner of the annual prize for her novel, A Killing in this Town.

Vernon, who is the Hallie Ford Chair in Writing at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from LSU. She has published three novels: Eden (2002), Logic (2004) and A Killing in this Town (2006).

Vernon will receive a $10,000 award and commemorative sculpture created by local artist Robert Moreland at an award ceremony at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Manship Theatre.

Seating for the ceremony is limited. Reserve your tickets by contacting Helen Fisher at [email protected] or 387-6126 after Jan.1.

Submissions for next year’s award will be accepted beginning in February. ernestjgainesaward.org