The Robert Hicks Award for Historical Fiction
The award was established to celebrate storytellers and foster a love of historical fiction.
Robert Hicks
If you spent any time with Robert, you immediately realized his love for a good story, his dedication to Civil War history, and his commitment to historical preservation. His passion ran deep. During his lifetime, he wrote three books, but told a million stories!
This is the inaugural year of the Robert Hicks Award for Historical Fiction to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the publication of The Widow of the South.
Robert became fascinated by the Battle of Franklin, a major battle that occurred in the final months of the Civil War in Tennessee. During his many years working at Carnton, he began to develop a book idea. During an accidental meeting with Civil War historian and author Shelby Foote, he received further encouragement to complete a historic novel about the battle.
The Widow of the South was published on September 1, 2005, and entered the New York Times Bestseller List in its first week. The novel is centered around the Carnton Plantation and Mansion, which officers of the Confederate States Army commandeered as a hospital during the Battle of Franklin. Robert creates a cast of characters, including the wife of the Plantation owner, Carrie Winder McGavock, and soldiers wounded during this monumental battle. Robert also published
A Separate Country and The Orphan Mother.
The Widow of the South has certainly made an indelible impact on history aficionados, Civil War enthusiasts, heritage tourism in Tennessee and preservation. In fact, so much so that The Tennessean named Robert “Tennessean of the Year” in 2005 recognition of his impact.
Robert passed away in 2022; his literary works and this award will continue to celebrate his legacy.
Submission Information
The Robert Hicks Award for Historical Fiction
Award overview
- Encourage creative writing in historical fiction among storytellers.
- Offer recognition and visibility for authors.
- Promote storytelling with portrayals of historical events, cultures, and figures.
- 2026 Category - Short Story
- 2026 Award - $1,000
Eligibility Criteria
A. Author Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older
- Can reside in any country.
- Short Story must be centered around U.S. historical event(s) or figure(s).
B. Content Requirements
- Connection to historical event(s) set at least 25 years in the past.
- Short Story - typically 1,000 to 5,000 words.
- Written in English
- Original content (no AI-generated content, plagiarism, or adaptations of existing works).
Submission Rules
A. Submission Format
- Digital submissions only (PDF)
- Include a cover page with: title, author name, contact info, and historical basis.
- Provide reference material such as a Wikipedia page, a textbook page, etc…
- Participants reps & warrants ownership of the submission. Co-writers need to be listed.
B. Entry Fee
- $25 per submission
C. Submission Window
- Submissions Annually: January - March
- Review Window: April - June
- Award Recipient Announced Annually: September 15
D. Judging Criteria
- Verifiable historical origin
- Character development
- Quality of writing/style
Submission Form