The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, an institution rooted in the literary heritage of the American South, announces its 2026–2027 Fiction Contest. This annual competition is a significant fixture in the festival's programming, reflecting its commitment to nurturing contemporary fiction and honoring the legacy of Tennessee Williams. The contest is open to writers of all backgrounds, with a particular invitation to women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, and queer voices, as well as emerging writers, ensuring a diversity of perspectives that aligns with the festival's inclusive spirit. The 2026–2027 contest will be judged by Bernice L. McFadden, a national bestselling and award-winning author whose novels—including Sugar, The Book of Harlan, and Praise Song for the Butterflies—are celebrated for their richly layered narratives that center ancestry, memory, and the enduring strength of Black women. McFadden's work has earned numerous honors, including the American Book Award and an NAACP Image Award, and has been praised by Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison for its structural strength and searing imagination. Her recent memoir, Firstborn Girls, further establishes her as a vital voice exploring generational trauma and maternal legacy. Submissions will be evaluated by a writer of profound literary sensibility, offering entrants a rare opportunity for their work to be considered by a master of the craft. While the contest does not specify a monetary prize in the provided details, the recognition and validation that come from being selected by a juror of McFadden's stature cannot be overstated. The festival provides a platform for writers to gain visibility within a community that values literary excellence and the rich cultural tapestry of New Orleans. The $25 entry fee is a standard contribution that supports the festival's ongoing mission to celebrate and sustain the literary arts. Writers are encouraged to submit their most polished work, as the competition seeks to identify and celebrate exceptional fiction that resonates with the themes of memory, identity, and resilience that define McFadden's own oeuvre.