Bryan Washington facts for kids

Bryan Washington (born April 22, 1993) is an American writer. He grew up in Houston, Texas. He is known for his short stories and novels. His first book, Lot, came out in 2019. He also wrote the novel Memorial in 2020.

Bryan Washington's Early Life and School

Bryan Washington was born in 1993 in Kentucky. When he was three years old, his family moved to Katy, Texas. He went to James E. Taylor High School and finished in 2011.

After high school, Bryan Washington studied English at the University of Houston. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree there. He then continued his studies at the University of New Orleans. There, he earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. This advanced degree helps writers improve their craft.

Bryan Washington's Writing Career

Bryan Washington started his writing career with a collection of short stories. This book was called Lot. It was published in 2019 by Riverhead Books. The stories in Lot are connected and take place in Houston. One main character is Nicolás, a young man who works in his family's restaurant.

Awards for Lot

Lot received many important awards. It won the 2019 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. It also won the 2020 Dylan Thomas Prize. Another award it received was the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction. These awards show how well-loved and important his first book was.

Bryan Washington's Novels

Bryan Washington's first novel is called Memorial. It was published on October 27, 2020. This book was also very popular. It was named a New York Times Notable Book. This means it was recognized as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review.

The company A24 bought the rights to turn Memorial into a TV show. Bryan Washington himself is helping to adapt his novel for television. His second novel, Family Meal, was also recognized. It was shortlisted for the 2024 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction.

Teaching and Scholarship

Bryan Washington also teaches at Rice University. He is a lecturer in English there. In July 2020, he was given special roles at the university. He became the George Guion Williams Writer in Residence. He also became a Scholar in Residence for Racial Justice. This shows his dedication to both writing and education.

Bryan Washington's Major Awards

Bryan Washington has won several important awards for his writing. These awards celebrate his skill and the impact of his stories.

• 2019:
  • Lot won the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence.
  • Lot won the Sergio Troncoso Award from the Texas Institute of Letters Award.
• 2020:
  • Lot won the Dylan Thomas Prize.
  • Lot won the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction.
  • Lot won the Young Lions Fiction Award.
• 2021:
  • Memorial won the Heartland Booksellers Award for Fiction.