Around this time, Hurston experienced a few early literary successes, including placing in the short-story "Drenched in Light" and playwriting contests in Opportunity magazine (Biography.com; Zora Neale Hurston). ... These specific pieces of work became a great influence on well-known writers such as Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, Gayle Jones, Alice Walker and Toni Cade Bambara. ...

• Word Count: 1464
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School