06/04/2024
Aaliyah Bilal's debut collection of short stories, TEMPLE FOLK, has won the 17th annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. This award, which serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Mr. Gaines' literary contributions, is presented by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation each year to celebrate an emerging African-American fiction writer. Aaliyah will be honored at a ceremony on October 23, 2024.
"It is an honor to have my first effort, Temple Folk, chosen for the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence," said Bilal. "I am especially proud to be associated with the legacy of Mr. Gaines, whose work informs my ambition to tell timeless stories in plain spoken, elegant prose. Mr. Gaines teaches us how to do this sacred work with grace, grit, and love."
Visit ernestjgainesaward.org to learn more about the award and the winning author. 📚✨
