Parris Award

The Parris Award was established by SouthWest Writers to honor a published writer, screenwriter, or editor who has given outstandingly of time and talent to other writers.

Prestigious recipients of the Parris Award include Tony Hillerman and the Pulitzer nominee Norman Zollinger.

SouthWest Writers was established in 1983 to allow successful established authors to pass on their knowledge and insights to aspiring writers.

The Parris Award is named for one of the Charter members, Parris Afton Bonds, who gave tirelessly of her time encouraging new members.

The award is given to an SWW member who has:

1) a significant published body of work, 2) a record of extraordinary effort in furthering the organization, and 3) a pattern of showing encouragement to other writers.

The 2024 winner, Cornelia Gamlem, received a plaque from the Parris Award committee nominator Lynn Doxon, at the SWW Annual Meeting on October 12, 2024.    For more information about Cornelia visit her author page.

Lynn Doxon (left) gives Cornelia Gamlem (center) the Parris Award Plaque as Mary Therese Ellingsworth looks on.