Announcing the 2026 George Plimpton and Susannah Hunnewell Prizewinners

Why It Matters

The awards spotlight emerging literary talent and reinforce The Paris Review’s influence as a premier incubator for new voices, while supporting the magazine’s financial sustainability through the Spring Revel fundraiser.

Key Takeaways

• Renny Gong wins 2026 George Plimpton Prize
• Bud Smith receives 2026 Susannah Hunnewell Prize
• Edward P. Jones honored with lifetime Hadada award
• Spring Revel gala raises funds for The Paris Review
• Prizes highlight emerging talent in literary magazine

Pulse Analysis

The Paris Review announced its 2026 literary honors, naming Renny Gong the George Plimpton Prize winner and Bud Smith the Susannah Hunnewell Prize recipient. Both awards will be presented at the Spring Revel gala on April 14, alongside a lifetime‑achievement Hadada award for Edward P. Jones. The George Plimpton Prize, established in 1993, highlights emerging fiction published in the magazine, while the Hunnewell Prize, created in 2023, celebrates outstanding prose or poetry. The ceremony also draws industry leaders, reinforcing the Review’s cultural clout.

Gong’s winning story “Ping‑Pong Kids” follows a twelve‑year‑old Chinese‑American navigating a rigorous table‑tennis academy, exposing the pressures of immigrant ambition with sharp, vernacular prose. Simpson praises its nuanced portrayal of a “stage‑mom” and the boy’s moral awakening amid competitive sport. Critics note the stories’ ability to bridge personal narrative with broader social commentary. Smith’s “Skyhawks,” set in a historic New Jersey oil refinery, blends technical detail with dark humor, illustrating the uneasy coexistence of industry and nature. The piece’s vivid characters and unflinching tone have earned Smith a forthcoming novel contract with Knopf, signaling the prize’s career‑advancing power.

By spotlighting Gong and Smith, the Review reinforces the market value of literary magazines as talent incubators, attracting readers, donors, and agents seeking fresh voices. The Spring Revel fundraiser leverages these accolades to secure essential support, underscoring how award ceremonies can drive financial sustainability for non‑profit publications. As the publishing landscape increasingly favors digital platforms, such high‑profile recognitions help preserve print‑based literary culture and ensure emerging writers receive both critical acclaim and economic opportunity. Such events also foster networking among writers, editors, and patrons, strengthening the literary ecosystem.