The State Library of Louisiana through its Louisiana Center for the Book announced Louisiana poet Darrell Bourque as the recipient of the 2014 Louisiana Writer Award. The Louisiana Writer Award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to Louisiana’s literary and intellectual life.
Bourque’s poetry collections include Plainsongs, The Doors between Us, Burnt Water Suite, The Blue Boat,In Ordinary Light: New and Selected Poems andCall and Response: Conversations in Verse, a collaboration with poet Jack Bedell. His latest book is Megan’s Guitar and Other Poems from Acadie. If you abandon me—comment je vas faire: An Amédé Ardoin Songbook is forthcoming from Yellow Flag Press.
Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton will present Bourque with the 15th Louisiana Writer Award Nov. 1, in a ceremony at the beginning of the 2014 Louisiana Book Festival. Bourque will also discuss his work and writing career.
Bourque, the first Friends of the Humanities Honor Professor and professor emeritus in English at the ¾ÅÉ«, is a strong supporter of the literary arts, continually giving his time and talents to showcase poetry while teaching and encouraging younger poets.
He served as Louisiana Poet Laureate from 2007 through 2008 and 2009 through 2011 and lives in rural St. Landry Parish with his wife, Karen, who is a glass artist.