The Sidney Prize for Southern Literature is awarded to writers who write about the South. It was first presented in 2012. This prize honors poets and fiction writers who write about the region. It was established in memory of the 19th-century Southern poet, Sidney Lanier.
Nikky Finney is a poet who was raised during the Black Power movement and the Civil Rights movement. She has published multiple books. She is currently a visiting professor at Smith College and has taught at Berea College. Her work has been featured in literary journals and anthologies.
Another writer whose work has been honored with the Sidney Prize is Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer. She is the author of several novels and short stories. Her writing has appeared in Granta, The Walrus, and Storyville. In addition, her work has been published in the anthology, American Writers Speak Out.
Two-time winner of the Sidney Prize is Mary Bottari. She has contributed to various media outlets, and she worked on the 2008 Wall Street meltdown and the ALEC Exposed investigation. Previously, she was the reporter for the Center for Media and Democracy. Since then, she has helped spearhead the Center’s investigations into attacks on organized labor and the 2008 Wall Street meltdown.
George Haddad is an artist, writer, and sessional tutor at Western Sydney University. His writing explores gender, language, and the limitations of language. He has received several awards, including the Viva la Novella competition. He has also been a finalist in the Writ Large Press Short Fiction Contest.
The Sidney Prize has been sponsored by the Sidney Hillman Foundation. Since its inception in 1950, the foundation has been honoring writers and public figures for their accomplishments. Those who win the award are given a $500 honorarium, a certificate, and a bottle of union-made wine.
Another prize awarded is the Thomas Robinson Prize. Previously known as the Sidney Lanier Prize, it was awarded in 2012. This prize is given to writers who have spent years writing about the South. As of 2012, the winner will be announced in April.
Earlier this year, Storyville, a new literary app, launched its Sidney Prize. It will be awarded to one author who has an unpublished short story that is no more than 6,000 words. Stories submitted for the Sidney Prize will be selected by former Soft Skull Press publisher Richard Nash. Those who enter the competition will receive a $1,000 prize, as well as publication in Storyville.
Storyville is an innovative, digital platform that enables readers to read archival and original stories. They can be accessed on a variety of devices, including the iPhone and Kindle. Currently, they offer a special subscriber rate, which means that writers can enter the contest for $4.99. Eventually, they will offer a monthly subscription for $1.49, which is a great deal.
Founded by former Soft Skull Press publisher Richard Nash, Storyville has been available for iPad and Kindle, as well as on the iPhone. Storyville’s Sidney Prize is available to writers who subscribe to the magazine.