Haitian-Canadian winner made history last month by becoming the first Haiti-born writer in 11 years to receive the Prix Guilloux prize for a literary work. Orcel was born in Haiti, and grew up in Canada. His book L’ombre Animale received the prize from among several books contending for the prestigious honor. The last time a Haiti-born winner took the prize home was in 2005. The writer’s name, according to the prize’s history timeline, was a man by the name of Lyonel Trouillot.

Congratulations to Makendy Orcel. According to his publisher, this was a sophomore work from the author. Remember to keep in trying in life folks! You may not get a prize the first time around…but you never know what continuous effort will bring your way.