March 22, 2021, 3:15pm
Today, Yale University announced the winners of its Windham-Campbell Prizes, which celebrate extraordinary literary achievement by rewarding eight writers an unrestricted grant of $165,000 to support their creative projects. The Award, now in its 8th year, was the brainchild of lifelong partners Donald Windham and Sandy M. Campbell, who were deeply involved in literary circles, collected books avidly, read voraciously as well as penning various works. Previous winners include Yiyun Li, Namwali Serpell, and Anne Boyer.
This year, the winners of the prize are:
Vivian Gornick
(United States)
Kate Briggs
(United Kingdom/Netherlands)
Dionne Brand
(Canada/Trinidad and Tobago)
Renee Gladman
(United States)
Canisia Lubrin
(Saint Lucia/Canada)
Natalie Scenters-Zapico
(United States)
Nathan Alan Davis
(United States)
Michael R. Jackson
(United States)
According to the press release, all eight writers are at different stages in their careers—from innovative, new voices to enduring, literary figures—pushing the boundaries of literature with daring work, exploring personal and political ideas concerning identity, racism, and sexuality.
Mike Kelleher, the director of the Windham-Campbell Prizes, said the following of the winners:
Through original and intensely moving work that challenges what we think we know about genre and style, these extraordinary writers cast a forensic eye on the issues that make us human: our identity, our history, our cultural and political experiences. We are incredibly proud to recognize and celebrate such exceptional literary talent.
Congrats to all!