When you do something for the first time, you never know how it will turn out. The foundation announced the book award at our event on May 1 and by the deadline of June 30, we had over 70 manuscripts submitted! We were stunned with the response and very pleased. Many thanks to acclaimed poet, Greg Pape, for serving as the judge. We are proud to announce George Wesley Houp as the 2024 James Baker Hall Foundation Book Award winner for his submission Strung Out Along the Endless Branch.

With over 70 entries in the initial book award, we walked away knowing that our belief in the depth of writing talent in Kentucky was true. We not only wanted to honor our winner, but also highlight the other strong finalists.

The James Baker Hall Foundation will be participating in the Bluegrass Community Foundation’s Good Giving Challenge December 3-6. In 2023, the online event raised $2.67 million dollars benefiting 195 Bluegrass area charities.

The James Baker Hall Foundation in partnership with Accents Publishing is pleased to announce the results for the James Baker Hall Book Award.  The inaugural award recognizes an emerging author who hasn't yet published a full-length collection in poetry.

The foundation is gearing up for an exciting night on October 1st to name the winner of the inaugural James Baker Hall Foundation Book Award, which in 2024 will be awarded for a work in poetry.

We are preparing to take the James Baker Hall Foundation on the road with a series of house parties. Our goal is to introduce the foundation and our work of supporting Kentucky artists to the people! Would you be interested in helping by holding an introduction party?