How the Whiting Awards Have Discovered New Literary Talent for 40 Years

For 40 years, the Whiting Awards have been discovering up-and-coming literary talent, and awarding them with substantial grants. Past recipients include Michael Cunningham, Jonathan Franzen, Hernan Diaz, Ocean Vuong, Michael R. Jackson, Mary Karr, and more. This week, the 40th Annual Whiting Awards handed out grants to a new class of writers. Courtney Hodell , director of literary programs with the Whiting Foundation, discusses her role overseeing the awards, and how the Foundation has become so adept at identifying emerging literary talent.