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The Hurston/Richard Wright Award™ for College Writers has been established by novelist Marita Golden to honor excellence in fiction writing by students of African descent enrolled full time as an undergraduate or graduate student in any college or university in the United States.
The first place award of $1,000, and two finalist awards of $500 will be announced in April for the writers of the best previously unpublished short story or novel excerpt.
At the time of submission, applicants must be enrolled in a college or university full time as an undergraduate or graduate student. Writers who have published a book in any genre are ineligible.
How to Apply:
Those applying for the Hurston/Wright Award should submit 2 copies of a double-spaced manuscript, of no more than 15 pages (of a novel) or 20-25 pages (of a short story) typed in a 12 pt. font, along with an application and $10 processing fee (money order only) to:
The Hurston/Wright Awards
6525 Belcrest Road, Suite 531
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Please indicate on each of the two (2) copies of the manuscript whether it is a short story or novel excerpt. Only one story may be submitted per applicant. Manuscripts will not be returned. A completed application should be enclosed with your submission. Do not include your name on any manuscript page.
To ensure acknowledgment of receipt of your submission, you may send it by certified mail, receipt requested.
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Submissions must be received between November 3, 2008 and post marked no later then January 15, 2009. The nominated winner and finalists will be required to provide a verification of college enrollment and a photo. Previous winners are not eligible.
David Anthony Durham: Pride of Carthage, Gabriel's Story, and Walk Through Darkness, (Doubleday) also a 2002 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award Winner
Tayari Jones: The Untelling and Leaving Atlanta, (Warner Books) also a 2003 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award Winner
William Henry Lewis: I Got Somebody in Staunton, (Amistad); In the Arms of Elders, (Carolina Wren Press) also a 2006 PEN/Faulkner Fiction Award Finalists
Monifa Love: Dreaming Underground, (Lotus Press); Freedom in the Dismal, (Academy Chicago Publishers); My Magic Pours Secret Libations, (Florida State University, Museum of Fine Arts)
Nelly Rosario: Song of the Water Saints, (Pantheon Books)
Tracy Price-Thompson: Knockin' Boots, A Woman's Worth, (One World/Ballantine); Chocolate Sangria, (One World/Strivers Row) and Black Coffee, (Villard) also a 2005 Hurston/Wright Legacy Award Winner
David Wright: Fire on the Beach, (Scribner)
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Hurston/Wright Award Winner:
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Kelly Kennedy, a native of Omaha, Nebraska is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Indiana University. She was selected as the winner of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for her short story Becoming Fluent.
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Hurston/Wright Award Finalists:
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Chidi Asoluka, a native of Newark, New Jersey is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Rutgers University, Newark. He was selected as a finalist of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for his novel excerpt Exchange.
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Antoinette Cole, a native of Chicago, Illinois received her Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She was selected as a finalist of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for her short story Water Mommies. |
Hurston/Wright Award Honorable Mention:
Brendan Banteh, received honorable mention for his novel excerpt Kate My Love.
James Jones, receive honorable mention for his novel excerpt Coming of Age.
Jessica Oni, received honorable mention for her short story The Mistang’s Belly.
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Joel Windsor, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania attends St. Joseph’s University in there Writing Studies graduate program. He was selected as the winner of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for his short story Jimmy Crack Corn.
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Nicole Terez Dutton, a native of Cleveland, Ohio received her Masters of Fine Arts with a concentration in Literary Arts from Brown University. She was selected as a finalist of the Hurston/Wright Award of College Writers for her novel excerpt Red: Susie Lee.
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W. Christopher Johnson, a native of Lowndes County, Alabama is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Indiana University. He was selected as a finalist of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for his novel excerpt Keep My Headstone Clean. |
2006 Hurston/Wright College Award Recipients
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Natalie Baszile, a native of Los Angeles, California is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson College. She was selected as the winner of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for her novel excerpt The Grinding Season.
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Corwin Moore, a native of Brooklyn, New York is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lesley University. He was selected as a finalist of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for his short story excerpt Challenger.
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Asha L. French, a native of Louisville, Kentucky is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Indiana University. She was selected as a finalist of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for her novel excerpt Folding. |
2004 Hurston/Wright College Award Recipients
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Elinathan N. Ohiomoba is a native of Houston, Texas, and a recipient of a Masters in Fine Arts in English from Harvard University. She was selected as the winner of the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers for her novel excerpt The Late Great Zechariah Olumbayo. |
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Mitchell Jackson is a native of Portland, Oregon and a recipient of a Masters in Fine Arts in creative writing from New York University. He was selected as a finalist for his novel excerpt Luminous Days.
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Rashida Merritt is a native of Brooklyn, New York and a recipient of a Masters in Fine Arts in fiction writing from Columbia College. She was selected as a finalist for her novel excerpt The Game of Life. |
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2003
Winner: Damaris Hill
Finalists: Travis Craig & Justin Haynes
2002
Winner: Shannon Gibney
Finalists: Jacinda Townsend & Tracy Price-Thompson
2001
Winner: Ravi Howard
Finalists: R. Erica Doyle & Nnedi Okorafor
2000
Winner: Tayari Jones
Finalists: Faith Adiele & Shelly Thiam
1999
Winner: Genaro Ky Ly Smith
Finalists: Phillip L. Cunnigham & Dokubo Melford Goodhead
1998
Winner: Brandon Khalif Walston
Finalists: Angel Y. Green, Angela Sherelle Threatt & Linnea Colette Ashley
1997
Winner: Nelly Rosario
Finalists: April Reynolds, Douglas Jones & Crystal Drake
1996
Winner: Gwendolyn Wooten Scott
Finalists: Princess J. L. Perry, Amy DuBois Barnett & Nardya Smith
1995
Winner: Monifa A. Love
Finalists: Trent Masiki, Dedra Johnson & Broc Yusef Hamlin
1994
Winner: Manuel Martinez
Finalists: David Wright, Marc Anthony Richardson & William Henry Lewis
1993
Winner: Kenyatta Dorey Graves
Finalist: Joci Llyn Dyes
1992
Winner: David Anthony Durham
Finalist: Erica Hector Vital
1991
Winner: Paul Derek Moore
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- When is the submission deadline?
Submissions must be received between November 3, 2008 and post marked no later then January 15, 2009.
- Can I submit my work if I am enrolled in a university or college outside of the United States?
No, you must be enrolled full time in a university or college in the United States.
- Can I apply if I am in school part time?
No, you must be a full-time student.
- Is there an application fee?
Yes, $10 money order only.
- If I was a previous winner can I apply again?
No, but if you were a finalist you can reapply.
- When will I be notified if I have been chosen as a winner or finalist?
The first week of April.
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