Rea Award for the Short Story

Rea Award for the Short Story is a prestigious American literary prize established in 1986 to honor a living writer who has made a significant contribution to the short story form. It was created and endowed by the late Michael M. Rea to recognize excellence in a genre he passionately championed. The award is administered by the Dunaganon Foundation and is notable for its substantial monetary prize and its focus on a writer's entire body of work rather than a single publication.

History and establishment

The award was founded in 1986 by Michael M. Rea, a philanthropist and ardent patron of the arts from Baltimore, Maryland. Rea, who had a deep personal appreciation for the short story, sought to create a prize that would elevate the genre's status within the broader literary landscape. He established the award through his family's Dunaganon Foundation, intending it to be a lifetime achievement honor. The inaugural prize was presented in 1987 to Cynthia Ozick, setting a high standard for the award's future. The award's creation coincided with a period of renewed critical interest in the short story, championed by figures like Raymond Carver and Ann Beattie.

Selection process and criteria

The selection process is conducted by an annually appointed jury, typically composed of three distinguished figures from the literary world, such as authors, critics, or editors. The jury considers a writer's entire career output and their demonstrated mastery of the short story form. Key criteria include originality of vision, sustained excellence, and a substantial impact on the development of the genre. There is no application process; the jury independently nominates and selects the winner from the pool of living American and Canadian writers. This confidential and juror-driven model is similar to that used by the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Recipients and notable winners

The list of recipients comprises many of the most celebrated short story writers in North America. Early winners included masters like Donald Barthelme (1988) and Tobias Wolff (1989). The award has recognized a diverse range of literary voices, from the minimalist precision of Ann Beattie (1999) to the magical realism of Joyce Carol Oates (1990) and the intricate narratives of Alice Munro (2006). Other notable laureates include John Updike (2006), Lorrie Moore (2004), and Jhumpa Lahiri (2017). The award has also brought wider attention to influential but less commercially prominent writers, such as Deborah Eisenberg (2000) and Mavis Gallant (2002).

Impact and significance

The Rea Award is regarded as one of the most distinguished honors specifically for the short story, often mentioned alongside the O. Henry Award and the Pushcart Prize. Its substantial monetary value provides significant, unrestricted support to writers, allowing them to focus on their craft. By honoring career achievement, the award validates the short story as a serious and demanding literary art form, countering the commercial focus often placed on the novel. It has helped solidify the reputations of its winners within the literary canon and continues to influence critical discourse about the genre's evolution and its leading practitioners.

Award details and administration

The award consists of a monetary prize, historically set at $30,000, making it one of the most lucrative literary awards in the United States. The prize is funded by the Dunaganon Foundation, which handles all administrative duties, including jury selection and the award ceremony. The presentation event is often held at culturally significant venues, such as the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.. Unlike many prizes, it is not tied to a university, a magazine, or a specific anthology series, maintaining its independence. The award's continuity and prestige rely on the stewardship of the foundation and the integrity of its annually convened jury.

Category:American literary awards Category:Short story awards Category:Literary awards established in 1986