Townsend Prize for Fiction Award Ceremony

April 15, 2027

The Carter Center - Atlanta, GA 

This esteemed literary fiction prize, awarded every two years by the Atlanta Writers Club in partnership with the Georgia Writers Museum, will next be awarded on April 15, 2027 in a gala at the Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. The early-bird price of $125/ticket will be offered through December 31, 2026, after which the ticket price will go up to $150 apiece.

The event will open to ticketholders on April 15, 2027 at The Carter Center at 6:00 p.m. During that hour, you can meet the 10 finalists, pose for photos with them, purchase signed, personalized books from our bookseller, and enjoy the passed appetizers from Proof of the Pudding caterers. The open bar will offer wine, beer, water, and tea.

From 7:00 to 8:15 p.m., a full buffet dinner will be served with vegetarian and gluten-free options along with choice desserts. 

At 8:15 p.m., AWC Officer Emeritus, Townsend Prize Selection Chair, and our emcee Clay Ramsey will welcome everyone in attendance and talk about the importance of the Townsend Prize for Fiction and the strength of the Georgia literary landscape. GWM executive director Melissa Swindell will introduce videos of each finalist so you can get to know them and their work.

We will then announce the winner of the 2027 Townsend Prize for Fiction .

Following the recipient's acceptance speech, AWC president Maddison Bruer Zigtema and GWM president Lou Benjamin will offer concluding remarks. 

As a bonus, The Carter Center will provide docents to lead a tour of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum (which connects to The Carter Center via a tunnel) at no charge between 5pm and 6 pm on April 15th. You will have a chance to indicate below whether you're interested in arriving early and taking that tour.

To purchase one or more tickets to this event, please complete the fields below then click the SUBMIT button for payment by credit/debit card.