The Texas Institute of Letters is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to stimulate interest in Texas letters and to recognize distinctive literary achievement.
Induction into the TIL is based on literary achievement. Application for membership is not accepted. The rules governing the selection of members and officers are contained in the TIL By-Laws.
In addition to recognizing literary achievement through the induction of members, the TIL annually gives awards for published work and, with the University of Texas at Austin, supports the Dobie Paisano Fellowship Program for writers.
Joyce Gibson Roach is an elected member of the Institute and winner of non-fiction book prize for Eats: A Folk History of Texas Foods.