Since 2006, the Tennessee Writers Alliance has been recognizing writers through two awards, the Tennessee Writer of the Year Award and the Tennessee Literary Legend Award. The purpose of these awards, each given annually, is to recognize writers who have contributed to the literary heritage of the state.
The Tennessee Writers Alliance Writer of the Year Award is granted annually to a published author whose contributions to literature have enhanced the literary image and heritage of Tennessee and who lives or has lived in Tennessee OR whose literary work reflects the nature, history, culture and/or character of the state, its land and its people.
Nominations for the Writer of the Year Award can be made by any member of the Tennessee Writers’ Alliance. The nominees should be living authors who have been actively writing, publishing, and otherwise contributing to the state’s literary community in the past ten years.
The Tennessee Writers’ Alliance Literary Legend Award is granted annually to a published author whose contributions to literature or the literary community have benefited or continue to enhance the literary heritage of Tennessee.
The award is given to an individual who has twenty or more years of experience in the literary community and who has resided in the State of Tennessee for at least ten years. The award may be granted posthumously.
Nominations for the Literary Legend can be made by any Tennessee Writers Alliance member.
See past Tennessee Writer of the Year awardees
See past Literary Legend awardees
Awardees are commemorated on a plaque at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
