Since 2014, the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame has recognized Alabama writers whose accomplishments have earned them national and international reputations in the literary arts. Founded through a partnership between the Alabama Center for the Book, housed in the University Libraries at the University of Alabama, and the Alabama Writers’ Forum, AWHOF has inducted six classes of honorees. E. O. Wilson, Fannie Flagg, Winston Groom, Margaret Walker, Harper Lee, and Sonia Sanchez are among those recognized and testify to the rich literary culture of our state.

On March 7th, 2025, the Alabama Writers’ Forum, with our partners at the Alabama Center for the Book and the University Libraries at the University of Alabama, inducted the 2025 Class of the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. The inductees included:

Ace Atkins

Frye Gaillard

Joy Harjo

Janice Harrington

C. Eric Lincoln

Robert McCammon

Brad Watson

Sue Brannan Walker

Home Coming: Alabama Writers Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

By Edward Journey

In her acceptance speech for the 2025 Alabama Writers Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, inductee Janice Harrington read from her poem, “A Box Big Enough.” It ends, “Give me a box, / a big box, / the right box, a heart box, / to carry everything I love / and all my friends / from far, far away.” The Vernon, Alabama, native, now living and teaching in Illinois, added that her big box will always include pieces of Alabama.

At the induction ceremony, held at the Bryant Conference Center at the University of Alabama on Friday, March 7, 2025, eight writers were inducted into the big and diverse box that is the sixth class of the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. Michael Pearce, director of Alabama Center for the Book, summed it up beautifully: “I suppose what stood out to me is that for such a diverse group of writers, with varying life experiences, their messages blended in such a logical and meaningful way. The 2025 class is very special in my mind. I believe that only Alabama could produce such a rich variety of life experience and literary talents that, when brought together for one special evening, effortlessly overcome as a group whatever differences of experience, genre, and subject matter are inherent in their writing. I came away from the event with a vision of a wonderful tapestry weaved by the inductees, one that encompasses the joys and sorrows that have shaped our great state.”

For attendees and honorees alike, the enchantment began before the ceremony with the thoughtful and striking centerpieces at each honoree’s table. The centerpieces, inspired by the writing and life of the individual nominee, featured memorabilia, books, and images specific to that writer’s life and career. These table settings are the creations of Julie Hall Friedman, the 2025 Gala Chair, whose table arrangements have become a much-anticipated feature of the biennial event. Before the event started, honorees were taking photos of their tables as the crowd gathered for the pre-induction reception and Joseph Ortiguera and the Northridge String Quartet of Tuscaloosa City Schools provided music.

After a three-course dinner and welcoming comments by Donald Gilstrap, dean and professor for University of Alabama Libraries, and Richard Evans, executive director of Alabama Writers’ Forum, awards were given. A particular highlight was the recognition of Alabama Writers’ Cooperative as the inaugural recipient of the first Jeanie Thompson Champion of the Literary Arts Award, named in honor of the Alabama Writers’ Forum founder and long-time executive director. Jeanie Thompson’s record of advocacy for the literary arts in Alabama sets a high bar for the award. As part of a longer statement about her namesake award, Alabama Writers’ Forum Executive Director Emerita Jeanie Thompson writes, “Although the award bears one name – it might be the ‘Alabama Champion of the Literary Arts Award’ – because without our state’s support of the arts in general, and literary arts in particular, we would not be able to elevate writers to the level of some of our best-known artists, musicians, and arts educators.” Alabama Writers’ Cooperative president Jessica Jones Langston accepted the award for her organization, which has served Alabama writers since 1923.

The Jeanie Thompson Award was followed by special recognition for three of the principal forces behind the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. Those notables – Julie Hall Friedman, Don Noble, and Jeanie Thompson – have been a key part of the Hall of Fame since its inception.

When the time came for the Hall of Fame inductions, honorary chair and 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Daniel Wallace took the lectern to introduce the eight 2025 inductees. As a previous inductee, Wallace shared words of experience with the incoming class. He assured them that, after their induction, “you’ll never have to write anymore … not even email.” Another, unpublicized, perk is that you will have “Don Noble reading you to sleep at night.” After Wallace’s sage insight, the inductees were announced, a short video tribute was played (featuring the mellifluous voice of Noble), and the honoree or their representative came onstage to make comments. The videos are a special part of the event – produced by Robert Briscoe of the Alabama Center for Public Television and Michael Pearce of Alabama Center for the Book and University of Alabama Libraries and narrated by Don Noble.

Alabama Writers’ Forum’s Richard Evans observes that, “The members of the 2025 Class of the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame embody what is great about our state’s literary culture. From journalists, poets, and historians to children’s book authors and masters of horror, this year’s class has joined the pantheon of great Alabama writers whose legacy will be forever enshrined among our state’s contribution to American literature.” Dean Donald L. Gilstrap adds, “I know that those who supported the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame with their attendance this year were very impressed by the incredible talent of authors that the great State of Alabama continues to produce!”

Not all living 2025 honorees still reside in Alabama and a couple were not born in the state, but, for each, the Hall of Fame was a homecoming to those things which shaped and defined their lives and literary careers.

Ace Atkins, the acclaimed author of grit and wit-filled suspense thrillers – both fact-based and fiction – began his career as a journalist after playing football for Auburn University where, he admitted, football “cut into my time of reading.” His mystery series, including a stint with the “Spenser” novels, and standalone crime novels have cemented his place as a master storyteller. In his acceptance of the honor, Atkins noted that Alabama’s “strength comes from our diversity.”

Historian, journalist, writer, and teacher Frye Gaillard has used his personal and world experience to examine aspects of American life and the American experience. He took time in his acceptance comments to recall a chilling anecdote of life in Jim Crow Alabama that fellow honoree C. Eric Lincoln shared with him. In terms of receiving the Hall of Fame honor, Gaillard commented that, with his life of writing, it is “very nice when somebody notices.”

Poet, musician, playwright, activist, and author Joy Harjo was the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States. “You never have poetry at career day,” she said, explaining how she found “the path of the writer” as an undergraduate. A member of the Muscogee Nation, Harjo detailed her Native ancestry in Alabama before the Trail of Tears, speaking of “coming back to our homelands … coming home.” She claims Alabama as a home, so it is fitting that we claim her, too.

“I’m so proud, I’m gonna have to go to church and beg forgiveness,” said poet, storyteller, teacher, and children’s writer Janice Harrington. She shared stories of the memories she cherishes of her Alabama childhood, often associated with the sounds of skillets and telling stories in her grandmother’s kitchen. She noted that her grandmother always listened to her stories, calling being listened to “the greatest gift.”

Less Lincoln received the posthumous Hall of Fame honor on behalf of his father, C. Eric Lincoln (1924-2000). An ordained Methodist minister, Athens, Alabama, native Dr. Lincoln was a pioneering sociologist who wrote extensively about the Black religious experience. His son recounted stories of growing up in a household with renowned scholars, activists, and religious leaders as frequent visitors. He urged those gathered to “reach further” and build community in the quest for justice.

Robert McCammon wrote fiction on the side while working as a copywriter after college. Frustrated in his efforts to write features, he detailed how he got off the copy desk and started to write the novels – horror, Gothics, mystery, suspense – which have garnered awards and recognition across six decades. Leaving the copy desk, he said, “turned out to be the best thing in the world” as he continues to explore the “mystery and suspense story of life.”

Poet, author, publisher, editor, and teacher Sue Brannan Walker always has projects in the works. Her stewardship of Negative Capability Press, books of poetry and prose, and years as Alabama’s Poet Laureate brought her writing to a wide-ranging audience. Walker talked about life as an adopted child and commented that “all of my life, I have gone around creating family.” Back in Tuscaloosa for the honor, she proudly stated, “I was here when the Bear was here.”

For those who knew Brad Watson (1955-2020), Jason Watson’s reminiscences about his dad captured much of the warm and generous personality and humor that we fondly remember. Jason talked about his father’s family, travel, jobs, and humility at his literary success through much-acclaimed novels and short story collections. He confided that Watson considered a stint as a garbage man to be “the best job he ever had. He loved that job.”

During the ceremony, I found myself observing the college-age volunteers who were assisting during the ceremony. Those volunteers were not necessarily familiar with each of the inductees, but they were rapt listeners. I was pleased to watch them absorb the stories of opportunities, harsh lessons, and sweet victories afforded them by their time in Alabama. The eight honored Alabama writers give us the books and observations that provide hope for our future.

At a time when arts and education are attacked and under fire from many directions, the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame induction was a balm in troubled times. Most inductees cited their teachers in acceptance of the honor; most are teachers themselves. Their art is diverse, fierce, and unyielding. Their writing provides the essence of their Alabama home and the world beyond.

— Edward Journey

The 2023 Class of the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame

Eugene Walter, the “Renaissance Man” from Mobile, was a writer, actor, cookbook author, costume designer, host, editor and artist. He served in the military in the Aleutian Islands and lived in New York, Paris and Rome before returning to Mobile in his later years. He was a founding editor of Paris Review. His first novel, The Untidy Pilgrim, won the Lippincott Prize for fiction and his Time-Life cookbook, American Cooking: Southern Style, is a classic of the genre.

Trudier Harris, born in Greene County, AL, is an acclaimed author and scholar whose many authored and co-edited books often focus on Black American literature and authors. Her memoir, Summer Snow: Reflections from a Black Daughter of the South, was published in 2003. She retired from her position as the University of Alabama Distinguished Research Professor of English in 2022.

Michelle Richmond, a native of Mobile, is the author of six novels, several short story collections and numerous essays. Among her best-selling novels are The Year of Fog, The Marriage Pact and The Wonder Test. She is a past recipient of the Truman Capote Prize for literary nonfiction or short story. Her fiction often explores ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

Howell Raines, a native of Birmingham, is a prize-winning journalist and author of fiction, nonfiction, and memoir. Raines reported for regional newspapers prior to positions at the New York Times, where he was executive editor for three years. His novel, Whiskey Man, and books about fly fishing complement a career that includes commentaries, essays and reviews.

Daniel Wallace, from Birmingham, is a best-selling novelist, short story writer, children’s book author and illustrator. His best-selling novel, Big Fish: A Story of Mythic Proportions, was the basis for a popular film by director Tim Burton. Wallace is a professor of English and director of the creative writing program at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Kathryn Tucker Windham, born in Selma, was a journalist, photographer, folklorist, author, storyteller, actor and national radio commentator. She was the first woman journalist for the Alabama Journal and later reported for The Birmingham News and the Selma Times-Journal. Her eight “Jeffrey” books presented ghost stories from throughout Alabama and beyond. She was best-known for her appearances at storytelling festivals, schools and other events, and for her regular commentaries for National Public Radio.

Tom Franklin, a novelist and short-story writer, was born in Dickinson, AL. He is the author of the short story collection Poachers and novels Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter; Hell at the Breech; and Smonk. Franklin is currently an associate professor of creative writing at the University of Mississippi.

Angela Johnson, born in Tuskegee, AL, is the award-winning author of over forty books for children and young adults. Her first book, Tell Me a Story, Mama, was published in 1989. Her picture books, poetry and young adult novels celebrate Black families, their history and community, and frequently feature Alabama settings. Johnson received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2003.

The 2020 Class of the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame

Mark Childress

Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

Faye Gibbons,

Ralph Ellison

Carolyn Haines,

Michael Knight

Zelda Fitzgerald

Alabama Writers Hall of Fame 2018 Inductees

Joseph Glover Baldwin

William Bradford Huie

Shirley Ann Grau

Gay Talese

Wayne Greenhaw

Charles Gaines

James Haskins

Winston Groom

Alabama Writers Hall of Fame 2016 Inductees

E. O. Wilson

Fannie Flagg

Rodney Jones

Rebecca Gilman

Truman Capote

T.S. Stribling

Margaret Walker

Mary Ward Brown

Sequoyah

Alabama Writers Hall of Fame 2015 Inductee

Rick Bragg

Andrew Glaze

Johnson Jones Hooper

Zora Neale Hurston

Helen Keller

Harper Lee

William March

Albert Murray

Sena Jeter Naslund

Helen Norris Bell

Sonia Sanchez

Augusta Jane Evans Wilson