Writing Competition: The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence

About the award

The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence honors Louisiana’s revered storyteller, Ernest J. Gaines, and serves to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence at a national level. The book award, initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is now in its 18th year and has become nationally recognized in its role of enhancing visibility of emerging African-American fiction writers while also expanding the audience for this literature. The annual award of a $15,000 cash prize is to support and enable the writer to focus on writing.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation sponsors the winner’s travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to receive the prize at a ceremony, where the author reads an excerpt from the selected work of fiction. A reception follows. The evening is free, open to the public and attracts a diverse audience.

The literary award winner also participates in educational activities at selected area schools and after-school programs in keeping with the Gaines Award's interest in emphasizing the role of literature and arts in education. Through small creative writing workshops with the winning author, students are encouraged to pursue reading, delve into their own creativity, and to consider becoming an author.

Criteria and Submission:

To enter a published book or galley for review, send the completed REGISTRATION FORM and EIGHT (8) copies to:

Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
c/o Baton Rouge Area Foundation
451 North St., Suite LL 100
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801

Non-winning entries will be donated to an area nonprofit. Ineligible entries will not be returned.

The Literary Award, initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to honor Mr. Gaines, is designed to inspire and recognize rising African-American writers of excellence as they work to achieve the literary heights for which Ernest J. Gaines is known.

Entries will be accepted through October 31, 2026.

 

Criteria for the 19th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence:

A work of fiction (novel or collection of short stories) that is published between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. Galleys for a 2026 publication are also accepted.

 

The nominee must be a rising author, not yet widely recognized for their work. 

 

Author must be an African-American U.S. citizen.

 

Self-published books will not be accepted. Self-published defined as publishing one's work independently and at one's own expense.

 

Emailed entries will not be accepted.

 

The winning author must be willing to attend the award ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2027 and participate in media and educational outreach activities during that week.
TIMELINE:

 

April 1, 2026 – October 31, 2025 Eligible entries for the 19th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence will be accepted. See eligibility criteria and submission instructions above. All entries for the book award will receive written notification of receipt.

Spring 2027 – The winner will be selected by a national panel of judges. The judges reserve the right not to issue the award if they feel the selection pool lacks an acceptable candidate. Once the winner is selected, written notification will be sent to all eligible entries.

2027 – The 19th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence Ceremony will take place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

For additional information, please email:

 

gainesaward@braf.org