Russell Wins Genius Grant

Author Karen Russell is one of 24 MacArthur Fellows selected for 2013.  Each winner of the famed “Genius Grants” will receive $125,000 per year for the next five years (up from the previous $100K per year), with no strings attached.

The awards are presented to ‘‘individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits’’ in any field. Fellows are chosen through a system of anonymous nominators and a selection committee, with final decisions made by the board of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which presents the annual grants. No applications or unsolicited nominations are accepted.

Previous winners of genre interest include writers Octavia E. Butler, Virginia Hamilton, Jonathan Lethem, George Saunders, Junot Díaz, and author/artist David Macaulay.

For more, see the MacArthur Foundation site.