News January 5, 2026 THE ADVOCATE: Some thoughts on hope as a new year arrives November 5, 2025 Post and Courier: Florence festival that is an ‘elevation for the whole community’ is back for its 18th year October 23, 2025 Pointe Coupee Banner: 2025 Ernest Gaines award presented to Essie Chambers October 21, 2025 LISTEN: WRKF’s Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster Interviews Essie Chambers ahead of the Ernest J. Gaines Award Ceremony October 13, 2025 THE ADVOCATE: The 2025 Ernest J. Gaines Award winner ‘talks across time’ in her debut novel August 30, 2025 PEOPLE: 2025 Zora Awards Finalists Are Here — See the Full List (Exclusive) August 7, 2025 AUTHORS UNBOUND: Essie Chambers’ novel Swift River has won the 18th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence July 29, 2025 KIRKUS: Essie Chambers Wins the Ernest J. Gaines Award July 26, 2025 The Skanner News: Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence Names Essie Chambers’ “Swift River” for 2025 July 21, 2025 Essie Chambers’ novel Swift River wins the 18th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence June 4, 2025 “Swift River” is a Madison Public Library Book Discussion Pick – July 2025 May 16, 2025 Washington Post: 15 new paperbacks to read this month, including Swift River Next Page→
