Nicole Dennis-Benn’s novel Patsy won at the Lambda Literary Awards 2020 announced on June 1, 2020.
The Lambda Literary Awards, or the “Lammys,” as they are known are an award of Lambda Literary, the oldest and largest literary arts organization advancing LGBTQ literature in the United States. Awards are handed out in the categories of Lesbian Fiction, Gay Fiction, Bisexual Fiction, Transgender Fiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Bisexual Nonfiction, Transgender Nonfiction, Lesbian Poetry, Gay Poetry, Transgender Poetry, Lesbian Mystery, Gay Mystery, Lesbian Memoir/Biography, Gay Memoir/Biography, Lesbian Romance, Gay Romance, LGBTQ Anthology, LGBTQ Children’s/Young Adult, LGBTQ Drama, LGBTQ Erotica, LGBTQ Graphic Novels, LGBTQ SF/F/Horror, and LGBTQ Studies.
Previous winners of the awards from Africa include Chike Frankie Edozien for Lives of Great Men in 2018, and Chinelo Okparanta twice for Under The Udala Tree in 2016 and for Happiness, Like Water in 2014.
The shortlists for the 2020 edition of the awards were announced on March 10 with several African and/or Black writers in the running. The winners were announced on June 1 with the novel Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn winning in the lesbian fiction category. The book is described by its publisher as “a beautifully layered portrait of motherhood, immigration, and the sacrifices we make in the name of love from award-winning novelist Nicole Dennis-Benn.”
Dennis-Benn thanked the Lambda Awards for supporting her for a huge part of her career.
“I want to thank the readers for believing in me as well, I would like to thank my agent Julie, my editor Katie, my publicist Cordelia and Michael. And last but not least my wife who has been there from the beginning,” she added.
We here at JamesMurua.com would also like to make an appeal on behalf of the organisation running these awards. For more than 30 years, Lambda Literary has provided the programs, tools, recognition, and space to affirm the value of LGBTQ literary life, create community, and preserve legacies. You can support their work by clicking here for more information.
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