book awards

Four prizes of $10,000 each are given annually for books of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and young people’s literature written by U.S. writers and published in the United States during the previous year. A $10,000 prize is also given for a translated book of fiction or nonfiction by a living writer and translator published in the United States during the previous year. Finalists in each category receive $1,000 each. Using only the online submission system, publishers may submit an entry form with a $135 entry fee per title by May 18. Six copies of books (or bound galleys) published or scheduled for publication between December 1, 2021, and November 30, 2022, must be submitted to the judges and to the National Book Foundation by June 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $2,000, publication by Elixir Press, and 25 author copies is given annually for a short story collection or a novel. Anthony E. Varallo will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 120 to 500 pages with a $40 entry fee by May 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of North Texas Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 100 to 200 pages with a $25 entry fee between May 1 and June 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,500 and publication by Barrow Street Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Tina Chang will judge. Submit a manuscript of 50 to 80 pages with a $25 entry fee ($28 for electronic submissions) by June 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $15,000 and publication by University of Pittsburgh Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Writers who have published at least one previous book of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in nationally distributed magazines or literary journals are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages between May 1 and June 30. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,500 and publication by University of Akron Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Adrian Matejka will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 48 to 90 pages with a $25 entry fee by June 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $1,000, publication by Black Lawrence Press, and 10 author copies is given annually for a collection of poems or short stories. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 45 to 95 pages or a fiction manuscript of 120 to 280 pages with a $27 entry fee by March 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of £3,000 (approximately $3,965) is given annually for a book of poetry or fiction translated from Arabic into English and published for the first time in English during the previous year. Translations of Arabic works of poetry or fiction originally published in 1967 or later are eligible. Publishers may submit five copies of a book published between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, with three copies of the original work by March 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.

Publication by University of Iowa Press is given annually for a poetry collection. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 150 pages with a $20 entry fee during the month of April. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

A prize of $2,500 and publication by Kent State University Press is given annually for a debut poetry collection. The winner is also invited to teach a weeklong writing workshop at Kent State University and give a reading with the judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 50 to 70 pages with a $30 entry fee by May 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.