The Louisiana Writer Award

The Louisiana Writer Award was created in 2000 by the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana.

The award is given annually to honor a contemporary Louisiana writer whose published body of work represents a distinguished and enduring contribution to the literary and intellectual heritage of Louisiana. Only contemporary Louisiana writers are eligible for the award. Writers of juvenile and adult fiction, nonfiction, plays and poetry are eligible.

A Louisiana writer is defined as one who is a native of Louisiana or a current or past resident of the state.

The award is presented during a formal ceremony at the Louisiana Book Festival. The tribute includes a commemorative award and a $1,000 honorarium.

Louisiana Writer Award Recipients

2010 Valerie Martin
2009 Tim Gautreaux
2008      William Joyce, Children's Author and Illustrator
2007      Yusef Komunyakaa, Poet
2006      Elmore Leonard, Novelist
2005      Lewis P. Simpson, Scholar
2004      Shirley Ann Grau, Novelist
2003      Carl A. Brasseaux, Historian 
2002      James Lee Burke, Novelist
2001      William Jay Smith, Poet
2000      Ernest Gaines, Novelist