2022 Debut Shortlist
J.R. Jamison is the award-winning author of the memoir Hillbilly Queer, host of the NPR podcast and radio show: The Facing Project (recorded and produced at Indiana Public Radio), and a founder of the national Facing Project network—a nonprofit organization in 18 states and over 100 communities that creates a more understanding and empathetic world through stories that inspire action. His work has been featured in The Guardian, The Huffington Post, Pangyrus, Writer’s Digest, and in various print literary journals. Currently, he is writing his debut young-adult novel.
J.R. is a two-time graduate of Ball State University with a B.S. in Cultural Geography and Creative Writing and an M.A.Ed. in Higher Education Administration. He lives in Muncie with his husband, Cory, and their dog, J.J. When not writing and recording, J.R. can be found long-distance running or sipping coffee on his deck with 55-pound J.J. on his lap.
See all the 2022 winners and learn more about the 2022 Awards. See the entire debut shortlists.