This award is an American literary prize given by the National Book Foundation. They accept all nonfiction and fiction titles. In order to be eligible for the Award, a book must be written by an American citizen and published by an American publisher between December 1 of the previous year and November 30 of the current year. Self-published books are only eligible if the author/publisher publishes the work of other authors in addition to his own.
GENERAL FICTION AWARDS
American Library Association Notable Book
The Notable Books Council annual list of important fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books for the adult reader.
Awarded to a novel by a woman writing in English and published in Britain by a panel of five women: one from the book trade, one from the media, one novelist, one academic and one other high-achieving role-model.
Every January, Booklist editors select the previous year’s top titles in adult books, books for youth, media, and reference.
“The Commonwealth Writers’ Prize is one of the world’s most important literary awards, presented annually by the Commonwealth Foundation with the support of the Macquarie Group Foundation… The Prize is fully international in its character, administration and judging. Each year, prizes for Best Book and Best First Book are awarded in four regions: Africa, Caribbean and Canada, South Asia and Europe and South East Asia and Pacific. Eight regional winners then compete for the pan-Commonwealth Best Book and Best First Book prizes, of £10,000 and £5,000, awarded at a public programme held in a different Commonwealth country each year.”
International literary award for new works of high literary merit in the English language. Managed by representatives of Dublin City, its Public Library System and IMPAC.
Honors the printed word in books with an extensive set of formal awards. Presented annually in nine subject categories: biography, current interest, fiction, first fiction (the Art Seidenbaum Award), history, mystery/thriller, poetry, science and technology, and young adult fiction.
The Man Booker Prize is given to the best work of fiction by a writer who is a citizen of the British Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland
Man Booker International Prize
The Man Booker International Prize is an award given to one writer’s work every two years that has contributed to fiction on the world stage.
“Established in 1950, the National Book Award is an American literary prize given to writers by writers and administered by the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization.”
“The National Book Critics Circle awards honor the best literature published in English in six categories—autobiography, biography, criticism, fiction, nonfiction and poetry. These are the only awards chosen by the critics themselves.”
Every year, the Swedish Academy gives the Nobel Prize for Literature to one writer from anywhere in the world.
- PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
Awarded by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation, is a national prize honoring the best-published work of fiction by an American author.
- PEN BOMC Translation Prize
Presented by PEN American Center and Book-of-the-Month Club, is given for a distinguished book-length translation from any language into English. - PEN First Book/Memoir Award
Presented by PEN American Center, is given for a distinguished book-length first book and memoir. - PEN/Hemingway Award for Best First Novel
Administered by the New England division of PEN, is presented for a novel or book of short stories by an American author who has not previously published a book of fiction. - PEN/West Translation Award
Presented by PEN Center USA West, is given for a distinguished book-length translation from any language into English.
Founded by Joseph Pulitzer, the Pulitzer Prize is given to groups and people in many areas, including journalism, literature, and music. The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is given every year and is considered to be an extremely prestigious award.
Southern Book Award for Fiction
Presented by the Southern Book Critics Circle composed of book editors and reviewers at newspapers in the South, is awarded to a Southern American author of a work of fiction.
MYSTERY
The Edgar Allan Poe award is given annually by the Mystery Writers of America. This award acknowledges the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, television and film published.
Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Mystery)
Honors the printed word in books with an extensive set of formal awards. Presented annually in nine subject categories: biography, current interest, fiction, first fiction (the Art Seidenbaum Award), history, mystery/thriller, poetry, science and technology, and young adult fiction.
SCIENCE FICTION
Science Fiction achievement award, considered to be the “Oscars” of the science fiction world.
Administered, voted and presented by the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) to acknowledge excellence in science fiction writing.
NONFICTION AWARDS
Run by the Nonfiction Authors Association, you can submit your book for this award year-round for award eligibility. Books are not judged against competing titles, but are reviewed by judges based on a scoring system that evaluates the quality of the writing as well as the production value of the physical book. They award bronze, silver, or gold according to the final score received.
American Library Association Notable Book (Nonfiction)
The Notable Books Council annual list of important fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books for the adult reader.
“The National Book Critics Circle awards honor the best literature published in English in six categories—autobiography, biography, criticism, fiction, nonfiction and poetry. These are the only awards chosen by the critics themselves.”
Presented by PEN American Center, is awarded to an American author for his or her first published memoir, distinguished by qualities of literary and stylistic excellence.
Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography
Awarded annually by Columbia University on the recommendations of a board of jurors for Biography or Autobiography.
Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
Founded by Joseph Pulitzer, the Pulitzer Prize is given to groups and people in many areas, including journalism, literature, and music. The Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction is given every year and is considered to be an extremely prestigious award.
SELF-PUBLISHING
“The “IPPY” Awards were conceived as a broad-based, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry, and are open to authors and publishers worldwide who produce books written in English and intended for the North American market.”
“Authors and publishers throughout North America and overseas publishers who publish English-language books intended for the American market may enter. Print-On-Demand and other independent authors are welcome to enter their books themselves.”
This award is open to authors, illustrators, and publishers of children’s books written in English or Spanish and intended for the North American market.
ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year
“ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards were established to bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors.”
Two grand prizes are awarded annually: one for short prose (i.e. fiction and creative nonfiction) and one for independent books from small, micro, and academic presses, as well as self-published books.
SELF-HELP
These awards and the annual presentation ceremony recognize the authors and publishers of the best self-help books of the preceding year with contributions from attendees going to the fight against multiple sclerosis.
“Candidates for the Living Now Book Awards are books written and designed to help shape our lives through creative ideas and time saving tips.”
YOUTH
Young Adult Library Services Association Awards
“YALSA’s six literary awards honor the best books for teens each year with its Alex, Edwards, Morris, Nonfiction, Odyssey, and Printz awards. In addition, YALSA publishes selected booklists each year, which offer recommended titles for both the avid and reluctant teen reader. Both the awards and booklists highlight great books for teens.”
“The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.”
The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children. Established by The Library Association in 1936, in memory of the great Scottish-born philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.
Honors the printed word in books with an extensive set of formal awards. Presented annually in nine subject categories: biography, current interest, fiction, first fiction (the Art Seidenbaum Award), history, mystery/thriller, poetry, science and technology, and young adult fiction.
“The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.”
“The Batchelder Award is a citation awarded to an American publisher for a children’s book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States.”
“The Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.”
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
“The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois. ALSC administers the award.”
“The Wilder Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children”
CULTURALLY SPECIFIC AWARDS
Asian American Literature Award
Awarded annually to Asian American writers for excellence in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, memoir, stage plays and screenplays.
Black Caucus ALA Literary Award
Awarded for excellence in adult fiction and nonfiction by African American authors published in the previous year, recognition of a first novelist, as well as, for Outstanding Contribution to Publishing.
Presented annually by American Library Association to authors and illustrators of African descent whose distinguished books promote an understanding and appreciation of the “American Dream.” The Award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and honors his widow, Coretta Scott King.
“The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate.”