St. Francis College 2013 Literary Prize
Digging Up a Winner:
Dirt Lands David Vann $50,000 Literary Prize
By Meghan Lewit
On the night of September 21, St. Francis
Tony D’Souza (Mule), and Christopher Tilghman (The Right-Hand
College found itself at the epicenter of
presented the award.
New York’s famed literary scene when
Shore)—were recognized at the gala, where Dean Allen Burdowski
Burdowski noted that the prize is only part of the College’s mission
to support writers in Brooklyn and beyond through readings and events
it hosted the opening night gala for the
like the Walt Whitman Writers Series, which have brought authors such
eighth annual Brooklyn Book Festival,
Nikki Giovanni to campus.
and awarded its biannual $50,000
Markowitz celebrated Brooklyn’s reputation as the “The Left Bank”
Literary Prize to author David Vann.
winners who call the borough home.
“
T
as E.L. Doctorow, Pete Hamill, Julie Orringer, Jonathan Lethem and
At the opening of the event, Brooklyn Borough President Marty
of New York City, noting the proliferation of authors and Pulitzer Prize
“Whoever says print is dead clearly hasn’t been in Brooklyn,”
his is a wonderful gift,” Vann told the assembled authors,
Markowitz said. He also recognized the College’s contribution to the
publishers, agents, and guests who filled the College’s
festival and to supporting Brooklyn’s literary community.
Founders Hall to fete the nominees and kick off the largest
“Brooklyn is home to more college students than Cambridge, Mass.,”
book event in the Northeast. “I feel very honored to be on the shortlist
he said. “St. Francis is an important part of that higher education here
with these authors. I love all these books.”
in our borough.”
Vann’s novel, Dirt, was selected from among more than 170 submis-
The College has