The awards, which come with a $50K purse, have helped launch the writing careers of many now well-known authors, including Colson Whitehead, Ocean Vuong, Alice McDermott and Jia Tolentino.
Work dried up in Atlanta's booming film industry last winter and has been at a near-standstill ever since the industry's writers went on strike in May and actors joined them in July. Writers reached a deal late last month, but with the actors strike still ongoing, many Atlanta-based performers and behind-the-scenes crew members members are grappling for financial survival.
Members of the SAG-AFTRA Atlanta chapter, entertainment industry workers and supporters met at a rally in Clayton County on Monday night in support of the national actors strike.
