Ernest Gaines Award Archives

Prize Honors Rising Authors, Literary Legend Ernest Gaines

Kentucky writer, poet and educator Crystal Wilkinson’s novel, “Birds of Opulence,” has been named winner of the 2016 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence.

Wilkinson, who serves on the Berea College faculty as Appalachian writer in residence, said she reverted to her 12-year-old self, shrieking and squealing with glee upon hearing that she had won this award for literary excellence. Continue reading Wilkinson’s ‘Birds of Opulence’ Wins 10th Annual Ernest Gaines Award →