Two Members are Finalists for the Harlem Book Fair/ Phyllis Wheatley Book Awards

NWU Authors Jo Anne Meekins and Malik Canty are among the finalist in the annual Harlem Book Fair/ Phyllis Wheatley Book Awards Program for their respective titles, “How To Uncover, Heal & Release Painful Life Experiences” (Nonfiction) and “Tears For My Ancestors” (Poetry). 

The event will take place at Columbia University’s Miller Theater, Broadway at West 116th Street  on Friday, July 17. The program will begin with a reception for the finalists at 6:00 p.m. The awards program will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at 9:00 p.m. Each finalist is allowed one guest. Additional guests must be registered (www.eventbrite.com) and will receive general seating.

This annual award, named for the first published African-American female writer, is given for literary work and literary advocacy that transcends culture, boundary, and perception. The Wheatley Award program is produced in collaboration with acclaimed musical director Atiba Wison. The program blends awards presentations into an entertaining evening of music, letters, and performance.

The Wheatley Awards are open to all books published in the preceding year; and include seven categories for book submissions. Three finalists are selected out of the submissions in each of the following categories:

• Fiction
• First Fiction
• Nonfiction
• First Nonfiction
• Young Readers
• Young Adult
• Poetry

Click HERE to see all the 2015 Wheatley Book Award Nominees.

Both finalists are scheduled to attend the Harlem Book Fair and sell their books along with other members at the National Writers Union table on Saturday, July 18, 2015.