Min Jin Lee to Receive The Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence

The Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence is a remarkable annual award presented by the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum. Established to honour the legacy of one of America’s most iconic literary figures, the prize recognizes authors whose work not only continues the rich tradition of American storytelling but also embodies the craft, wit and social insight that were the hallmarks of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, renowned for his classic novel The Great Gatsby, was a multifaceted writer whose contributions to American literature extended far beyond his novels. As a novelist, short story writer, memoirist, essayist, screenwriter, playwright, lyricist, poet, sportswriter and veteran, Fitzgerald’s literary range was vast and his influence on the cultural landscape of the United States was profound. The Fitzgerald Prize honors this wide-ranging literary legacy by recognizing contemporary authors who excel in one or more of these areas.

The Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence- the Legacy of American Storytelling

The Fitzgerald Prize was established not just as a tribute to Fitzgerald’s enduring impact on American literature, but also as a way to encourage and celebrate the authors who, like Fitzgerald, use their work to explore the complexities of human experience, societal norms, and the American Dream. The award seeks to highlight authors who continue to push the boundaries of literary art, bringing fresh perspectives to the themes that have defined American literature for generations.

Recipients of the Fitzgerald Prize are selected based on their ability to craft narratives that resonate with the same timeless quality found in Fitzgerald’s work. The award looks for authors who combine a mastery of language with keen social observation, much as Fitzgerald did in his portrayal of the Jazz Age—a time of great social upheaval, economic change, and moral questioning. By acknowledging these contemporary voices, the Fitzgerald Prize not only preserves the memory of Fitzgerald’s contributions but also ensures that the spirit of his work lives on in new and innovative forms.

In addition to recognizing excellence in writing, the Fitzgerald Prize also honours the broader cultural contributions of its recipients. Like Fitzgerald, who was a veteran and engaged with the world beyond his literary endeavors, many prize winners have demonstrated a commitment to addressing societal issues, whether through their creative work, public speaking, or other forms of advocacy. This broader view of literary excellence reflects the museum’s dedication to honouring authors who, like Fitzgerald, have a significant impact on both literature and society.

The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, located in Montgomery, Alabama, is the only museum in the world dedicated to the lives and legacies of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. The institution not only preserves the history of these two remarkable figures but also serves as a cultural hub for literature and the arts. The Fitzgerald Prize is one of the museum’s most prestigious initiatives, attracting attention from literary communities across the nation and furthering its mission to promote a deep appreciation of American literature.

Since its inception, the Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence has been awarded to a diverse array of authors, each of whom has brought something unique to the tradition of American storytelling. Past recipients include best-selling author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Rick Bragg, and social justice advocate and author Bryan Stevenson. These authors, along with others who have received the prize, exemplify the qualities that the award seeks to honor: literary brilliance, insightful social commentary, and a dedication to exploring the human condition.

As the Fitzgerald Prize continues to be awarded each year, it serves as a reminder of the lasting impact that one author can have on literature and culture. It also underscores the importance of storytelling as a means of understanding and interpreting the world around us. Through this award, the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum not only celebrates the past but also looks to the future, recognizing the writers who will shape the next chapter of American literature.

The Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence is more than just an award; it is a celebration of the enduring power of literature and its ability to illuminate the complexities of life. By honoring authors who carry forward the legacy of F. Scott Fitzgerald, the prize ensures that his spirit of innovation, creativity, and social insight continues to inspire new generations of readers and writers alike.

Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum continues yearly award tradition honouring America’s most notable authors. Min Jin Lee to be the 9th recipient of award.

“Having Min Jin Lee visit Alabama is doubly special as we celebrate the impact and vibrant contribution of the Korean American community and Korean cultural heritage to our region specifically.”

— Daron K. Harris, Vice President of Fitzgerald Museum

The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum awards the Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence annually to an author whose work continues the legacy of American storytelling while also exemplifying the craft, wit and social insight typified by F. Scott Fitzgerald. F. Scott Fitzgerald was a novelist, short story writer, essayist, screenwriter, playwright, lyricist, poet and veteran- the Fitzgerald Prize recognizes an author’s contribution in one or more of these areas. This year, the ninth annual recipient will be American author, Min Jin Lee.

In 2023, Lee served as the Editor of The Best American Shorts Stories. Lee received the Manhae Grand Prize for Literature, the Bucheon Diaspora Literary Award, and the Samsung Happiness for Tomorrow Award for Creativity.

She is the recipient of fellowships in Fiction from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study at Harvard, and the New York Foundation for the Arts. Lee was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the New York Foundation for the Arts and New York State Writers. She was honored by the Columbia University Weatherhead East Asian Institute, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Korean American Community Foundation, the Council of Korean Americans, and the Queens Public Library. She is at work on her third novel, American Hagwon and a nonfiction work, Name Recognition. She is a Writer-in-Residence at Amherst College and serves as a trustee of PEN America and a director of the Authors Guild. Lee lives in Harlem with her family.

Ms. Lee’s appreciation of F. Scott’s work, The Great Gatsby is well known. In the New York Review she wrote in 2021, “Nearly a hundred years after its publication, Gatsby is considered “the Greatest American Novel.” I cannot imagine a more persuasive and readable book about lost illusions, class, White Americans in the 1920s, and the perils and vanity of assimilation. It remains a modern novel by exploring the intersection of social hierarchy, White femininity, White male love, and unfettered capitalism. I’ve read and loved Gatsby for a very long time, and with each new reading, my understanding of it has grown more layered and provocative.”

Previous recipients of the Fitzgerald Prize have been best-selling author and journalist, Ta-Nehisi Coates (2023,) retired Navy SEAL and author, Clint Emerson (2022), Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Rick Bragg (2021), the ground-breaking social and legal reformer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson (2020), and accomplished Alabama authors Frye Gaillard (2019), Wayne Flynt (2018), Katherine Clark (2017) and Kim Cross (2016).

An Evening with Min Jin Lee will be held at the The Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center in Auburn, Alabama at 7:00 pm. The evening will include the awarding of the 2024 F. Scott Fitzgerald Prize for Literary Excellence by the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum followed by a discussion between Min Jin Lee, Dr. Alaina Doten, and Dr. Ellie Lee, Director of Auburn’s Korea Center-King Sejong Institute.

“The Fitzgerald Museum is honored to continue the Prize’s tradition of recognizing this country’s most impactful authors. Having Min Jin Lee come to Alabama is doubly special as we celebrate the impact and vibrant contribution of the Korean American community and Korean cultural heritage to our region specifically. It is an honor to be co-hosting this event with our friends and presenting partners, Auburn’s Korea Center-King Sejong Institute and the office of International Programs!” said Daron. K. Harris, Vice President of the Fitzgerald Museum Board.

About Min Jin Lee

BBC, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and the New York Public Library. Pachinko was a selection for “Now Read This,” the joint book club of PBS NewsHour and The New York Times. It was on over 75 best books of the year lists, including NPR, PBS, and CNN. Pachinko will be translated into 25 languages. Lee’s debut novel Free Food for Millionaires (2007) was a Top 10 Books of the Year for The Times of London, NPR’s Fresh Air, USA Today, and a national bestseller. Her writings have appeared in The New Yorker, NPR’s Selected Shorts, One Story, The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, The Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian, Conde Nast Traveler, The Times of London, and Wall Street Journal. She served three consecutive seasons as a Morning Forum columnist of the Chosun Ilbo of South Korea. In 2018, Lee was named as an Adweek Creative 100 for being one of the “10 Writers and Editors Who are Changing the National Conversation” and a Frederick Douglass 200. She received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Monmouth College. She will be a Writer-in-Residence at Amherst College from 2019-2022.

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