Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence among African-American Writers

According to the official Ernest J. Gaines Award website, "The winner of the first annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence is Ms. Olympia Vernon for her novel, A Killing In This Town. Ms. Vernon [received]a $10,000 award and commemorative sculpture created by artist Robert Moreland at the award ceremony on January 24, 2008 at 7 p.m., at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge.... Her novel was selected from 29 entries from across the country by a panel of nationally-known judges. One of America’s finest writers and teachers of writing, Mr. Gaines has been recognized internationally for his work. The award, initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is designed to honor Mr. Gaines and inspire new generations of African-American writers as they aspire to the literary heights for which Ernest Gaines is known."

A Killing in This Town by Olympia Vernon
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Jacket Notes:
From an award-winning and critically acclaimed writer comes a searing novel about a small Mississippi town trapped in a cycle of racism and violence, and the two boys who heroically defy tradition and seek an end to the injustice. More . . .