Maya Binyam and Tyriek White are among the honourees of the US National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 2024 announced on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
The National Book Foundation, best known for its National Book Awards, announces some of the best young writers in the United States with its “5 Under 35” awards. Nominees are chosen by previous National Book Award winners, finalists and longlisted authors, or writers previously recognized by the 5 Under 35 program. There is no nomination process, and no one has any idea who is being considered for the award. Some of the previous honourees have been Akwaeke Emezi, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Bryan Washington, and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.
The 2024 honourees were announced and the following writers of African descent are among them;
- Maya Binyam, Hangman, Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Macmillan Publishers Selected by Alejandro Varela, 2022 National Book Award Finalist
- Tyriek White, We Are a Haunting, Astra House / Astra Publishing House Selected by Tiphanie Yanique, 2010 5 Under 35 Honoree
Tyriek White said on Instagram, “Damn, what a year. Thank you to the @nationalbookfoundation for the recognition — this is such an incredible honor. To the amazing folk at @astrahousebooks & @janklownesbit, I appreciate everything. Shout to this cohort of writers who share this with me. And shoutout Zoe Guy at @vulture for such a dope conversation. Spent most of the day in the airport but trust I’m feeling loved on. Thank y’all for your grace and support during this past year.”
They will be honoured at a ceremony in the USA on May 9, 2024.
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