WHAT: James Baker Hall Book Award Announcement
WHEN: Tuesday, October 1 7:00-9:00 PM
WHERE: Spalding University
Egan Leadership Center/Troutman Lectorium
901 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40203
The James Baker Hall Foundation will be announcing the winner of its inaugural book award on Tuesday, October 1 at the Troutman Lectorium located in the Egan Leadership Center on the campus of Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky.
The James Baker Hall Book Award was established this year to acknowledge, reward and promote continued excellence in Kentucky letters. The inaugural award for poetry will be presented to one of four previously unpublished finalists by renowned poet and educator, Greg Pape. The award includes a $3,000 stipend and a publishing contract for their first book, including digital marketing and sales.
“We could not be more pleased with the first year of the James Baker Hall Book Award,” noted foundation Managing Director Lawrence Pemble, “We wanted this first fellowship to an unpublished Kentucky poet to establish a benchmark of creative excellence in the work and character of the inaugural James Baker Hall Fellow, winner of the 2024 James Baker Hall Book Award, Poetry. Collaborating with Accents Publishing, we have made this emerging poet fellowship program very turnkey. The point is to provide every incentive we can to kickstart an important new Kentucky voice and add important members to our community. I think we have succeeded and are excited to make our first award!”
For further information, contact foundation Executive Vice President, Jeanine Triplett.
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About the James Baker Hall Foundation
James Baker Hall (1936-2009) was an icon of Kentucky writers and beloved professor of Creative Writing at the University of Kentucky for 30 years. He was the author of many essential works of southern literature and mentor to young Kentucky writers throughout his life. He was named Kentucky Poet Laureate in 2002 and dedicated his term traveling the state educating others about the great legacy of prominent Kentucky writers.
The James Baker Hall Foundation believes creating art is a sacred gesture, a vehicle to change lives and build communities. We celebrate the legacy of our great artistic heritage by investing in future prominent Kentucky writers. With direct fellowship grants to artists and art-groups, we create space and time for artists to work. Through regional collaborations we help grow writing workshop outreach programs into underserved geographies in our Commonwealth.
