What moved him to submit this year? “I have always liked James Baker Hall’s writings and Gurney Norman and Ed McClanahan were mentors to me so it seemed right,” states Willie. “I had just released a book of short stories the year before, so I had used what I had for the book. But, I started writing Honeysuckle Season 20 years ago. Every now and then I would pull it out and work on it, but hadn’t done anything to it for 10 years.”

The review of the entries are always by an independent judge and even people at the foundation have not read the book yet. But what we hear from reviewers is the development and complexity of the characters is what makes it stand out. “Because I am a slow writer, it allows for character development and to understand emotions. In Honeysuckle Season, the 12 narrators have a story to tell, but there is a subtext truth they are not seeing,” explains Wille. “Also, I am 20 years older too. This time the characters are more developed. I’m thinking about the main character who is 5-6 years old and who was inspired by my cousin Campbell and his brothers. Now, I am the parent of a six year old so I am thinking about it from a parent’s point of view. As an example, in the first draft the main character likes to fend for himself, bravely. In the second draft, he has more fear of the situation, more reality.”

It’s always nice to get recognized and published, but Willie says there is a psychological aspect as well to being the 2025 recipient. “I’m honored to now be connected to Kentucky writers I admired and to continue the tradition of Kentucky writers and storytellers like James Baker Hall, Gurney Norman and Ed McClanahan.”

Willie’s writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Kenyon Review, Salon, storySouth, and The Berkeley Fiction Review amongst other places. He is the winner of The Willesden Herald Review (judged by Zadie Smith) and the Katherine Ann Porter Prize (judged by Amy Hempel). He teaches English, Journalism, and Creative Writing at Kentucky State University. He is the author of the novel Nightwolf and the short story collection I Can Outdance Jesus.

Join the foundation on April 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington to celebrate the launch of Honeysuckle Season. The event is free and open to the public. Willie will be reading and signing books.

RSVP to the April 8th Launch Event of Honeysuckle Season at Joseph-Beth Lexington