The A. A. Chida Award for Literary Excellence
In every issue of First Light Journal, the editorial team identifies a singular piece – poem, short story or essay – that stands out from the rest. That piece is marked Editor’s Choice and given the A. A. Chida Award for Literary Excellence. The award includes a certificate and cash prize.
| Issue | Genre/Title | Award Recipient |
| #1 / Fall 2025 | Poetry / An apartment building in the rain | Heather Sager |
A. A. Chida (1917-1967)
An upright and hard-working man, Aleem Ahmad Chida was well known for his insatiable reading habits. He could be identified from a distance by a book in one hand and a cigarette dangling from the other. He read almost everywhere, be it between shifts at work, leaning against his bicycle in the shade of trees that lined the neighborhood playground, or in the familiar comfort of his living room armchair. He was known for reciting poetry on demand and for conjuring up verse in witty exchanges, yet his manner was mild and reserved. He cherished solitude and preferred the language of silence.
We honor his legacy of quiet creativity in all our issues.