Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 Ashmead Award and the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. The application for the former award is a simple nomination by a young editor’s superior. This year’s deadline for nominations is May 15, 2012. Information is available at www.theashmeadaward.com. For the Gaines Award, which is meant to recognize excellence among rising African-American writers, please go to www.ernestjgainesaward.org.