The Stephen Crane Award is a literary honor presented annually by the Modern Language Association (MLA) to recognize outstanding work by emerging writers. Named after the American author Stephen Crane, known for his novel *The Red Badge of Courage*, the award aims to support and encourage new voices in literature. Recipients of the award are typically selected based on their significant contributions to fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction. The award not only acknowledges the talent of the writers but also helps to promote their work to a broader audience, fostering a vibrant literary community.