Ladies and gentleman it has been a wild weekend for me that started with the Phillis Wheatley award ceremony on Friday.
For those of you who regularly follow The Neophyte Author, you know that I was nominated for a 2015 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction for my debut novel Born at Dawn. In June I became one of three finalists and I am pleased to announce that my God is faithful and as His word says He has blessed the work of my hands. Born at Dawn took home the 2015 Wheatley Award for First Fiction. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
There are not enough words to describe the level of emotions that washed over me when Omar Tyree (yes, the Omar Tyree, author of Flyy Girl) called my name. It was a wonderful night and I have some pictures of the other winners and I would like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners.
Categories and Finalist (Winners in Bold)
YOUNG READERS
Granny’s Helper by Selma Jackson
Midnight and the Man Who Had No Tears by Tiffany Golden
Tate and His Historic Dream by Bernard C. Turner
YOUNG ADULT
Dear Diary, The Bullying Won’t Stop by Delicia B. Davis
The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis
Willow by Tonya Cherie Hegamin
FIRST NON-FICTION
Daffodil: A Mother’s Journey by Demetria Hayes
No Doubt: The Murder(s) of Oscar Grant by Thandisizwe Chimurenga
Regina Anderson, Harlem Renaissance Librarian by Ethelene Whitmire
NONFICTION
A Light Shines in Harlem: New York’s First Charter School by Mary C. Bounds
Breaking Grounds: My Life in Medicine by Dr. Louis W. Sullivan
Businessman First, Remembering Henry G. Parks, Jr… by Maurice W. Dorsey
POETRY
Brief Evidence of Heaven: Poems from the Life of Anna Murray Douglass by M. Nzadi Keita
City of Eternal Spring by Afaa Micheal Weaver
Tears for My Ancestors by Malik Canty
FIRST FICTION
Adinkrahene: Fear of a Black Planet by Jeffrey A. Faulkerson (Check him out, please :))
Shifting Allegiances: A Nigerian’s Story of Nigeria, America & Culture by Amaka Lily
FICTION
Every Day is for the Theif by Teju Cole
Glorious Sunset by Ava Bleu
Congratulations to you! 🙂
Leslie J. Sherrod Mystery. Drama. Soul…. http://www.LeslieJSherrod.com
Thank you, Leslie!
Werk! Werk it girl! I see you in your white with blue shoes poppin’. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Thank you, Faith! I been taking style tips from Grace. LOL.
Congratulations!!!
Thank you so much, Jackie!