World Literary Awards

Literary Awards

Browse award recipients, categories, and yearly award lists

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580 literary awards

T. S. Eliot Prize

Established
1993
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
T. S. Eliot Foundation
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around January
PoetryLiterary awardEnglish poetry

An annual poetry prize for the best English-language collection first published in the UK or Ireland in the previous year.

Prize: The winner receives £25,000. Each shortlisted poet receives £1,500.

Waverton Good Read Award

Established
2003
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Waverton Good Read (run by Waverton residents / volunteers)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Newcomer
Adult debut novelsChildren's literatureBritish fictionFirst book awards

Community-run British literary prize (founded 2003) judged by local village readers for debut novels by UK residents; a children's category was introduced in 2011.

Prize: Community literary prize: recognition, publicity and local award honours; no specific cash prize is stated on the referenced page.

Women's Prize for Fiction

Established
1996
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Women's Prize for Fiction (Women's Prize Trust)
Selection Method
Open call / Recommendation
Category
Publishing Culture and Book Culture
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around June
NovelFor female authorsEnglish-language worksWorks published in the UK

An annual British literary prize for the best full-length novel written in English by a woman and published in the UK.

Prize: The winner receives £30,000 in prize money and the bronze statue 'Bessie' created by Grizel Niven.

Costa Book Awards

Established
1971
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Costa Coffee (formerly sponsored by Whitbread)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Newcomer
Announcement Period
around January
NovelFirst novelChildren's bookPoetryBiographyShort story

Annual literary award for English books by writers residing in the UK and Ireland (1971–2021). Formerly known as Whitbread Book Awards. Costa Short Story Award established in 2012, discontinued in 2022.

Prize: Prize money for each category winner

Marsh Biography Award

Established
1987
Frequency
Biennial (presented every two years 1987–2011; discontinued after 2011)
Organizer
Marsh Charitable Trust (formerly Marsh Christian Trust)
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Target
Professional
Biography awardsBritish literary awards

British literary award recognising the best biography by a British author, presented biennially from 1987 until its final edition in 2011.

Prize: Award for the best biography written in the previous two years by a British author (specific prize money not stated in source).

Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation

Established
1996
Frequency
Biennial (every two years)
Organizer
Sponsored by the Marsh Christian Trust. Administered by the National Centre for Research in Children's Literature at Roehampton University from 1996, then by the English-Speaking Union from 2008. The award ended in 2017.
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Professional
Children's literatureTranslation awardBritish literary award

A UK literary prize awarded biennially to the translator of an outstanding work of fiction for young readers translated into English, running from 1996 to 2017.

Prize: Award recognizing translators. No fixed prize amount explicitly stated in public documents.

Vick Prize

Established
2004
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Vick Foundation
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Target
Professional
Novel PrizeLiterature prizeBulgarian Literature

Annual award for Bulgarian-language novels. Award established (2004) by Vick Foundation, with jury selection and reader-voted popularity award.

Prize: Best Bulgarian Novel Award (Vick Prize)

Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence (formerly the Arthur Ellis Awards)

Established
1984
Frequency
Once a year (ceremony usually in May, Grand Master Award biennially)
Organizer
Crime Writers of Canada
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Newcomer
Announcement Period
around May
Crime/Mystery Novels (Best Novel, etc.)Debut Novel (Best First Novel)Novella (Best Novella)Short Story (Best Crime Short Story)Nonfiction (Best Crime Nonfiction)Juvenile/Young Adult (Best Juvenile or Young Adult Crime Book)French-language Works (Best Crime Book in French)Unpublished First Novel (Best Unpublished First Novel)Criticism/Reference (Genre Criticism/Reference)Play (Best Play)Lifetime Achievement/Special Awards (Grand Master, Derrick Murdoch, etc.)Best Crime Novel Set in CanadaWhodunit Award for Best Traditional Mystery

Annual literary award presented to Canadian crime and mystery works. Formerly known as Arthur Ellis Awards, organized by Crime Writers of Canada.

Prize: Statuette (trophy) and recognition in publication and promotion from winning. Presence and amount of cash prizes vary by category and year.

Burt Award for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Literature

Established
2012
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Canadian Organization for Development through Education (CODE), operated by: Canada Council for the Arts (also involving Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, National Association of Friendship Centres, Association of Canadian Publishers, etc.)
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around October–November
Young adult literatureIndigenous literature (First Nations / Inuit / Métis)Canadian literature

Annual literary award targeting young adult (YA) literature by Canadian Indigenous writers.

Prize: 1st place $12,000 (2nd place $8,000, 3rd place $5,000). Winning works are purchased 2,500 copies each by CODE and distributed to Indigenous communities.

Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards (Canadian Jewish Book Awards)

Established
1989
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Koffler Centre of the Arts
Selection Method
Open call / Recommendation
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Open
FictionNonfictionHistoryYoung Adult / Children's LiteraturePoetryHolocaust LiteratureBiography / MemoirScholarshipYiddish Literature / TranslationJewish Thought and CultureChildren / YouthShort FictionLiterary CriticismTranslationSpecial Achievement

Annual literary award targeting works by Canadian Jewish writers or themed on Jewish culture and history. Operated by Koffler Centre of the Arts. Reorganized into Vine Awards in 2016 after a hiatus in 2015.

Prize: At the time of the 2016 Vine Awards reorganization, 10,000 CAD is awarded in each of the five main categories. Traditional Canadian Jewish Book Awards also featured category winners and special awards, with prize money and benefits varying by year and category.

Carol Bolt Award

Established
2002
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Plays, Scripts, and Screenplays
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around October
Playwriting (Plays)TheaterCanadian Literature Award

Annual best new play award for PGC members, hosted by Playwrights Guild of Canada.

Prize: Recognition for new plays (prize amount not specified in official information)

Danuta Gleed Literary Award

Established
1998
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
Writers' Union of Canada
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Target
Newcomer
Announcement Period
around June
Short stories (short story collection)Debut work (first short story collection)English-language works onlyCanadian literary award

Annual literary award for first published short story collections of English-language short fiction in Canada.

Prize: CAD 10,000 to the winner (since 2004)

Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers

Established
2007
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
Writers' Trust of Canada
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Literature and General Literary Arts
Target
Newcomer
Announcement Period
around October
LGBTQ2S+ Emerging WritersDebut books

Annual literary award organized by Writers' Trust of Canada for emerging Canadian writers from the LGBTQ community. Established in 2007.

Prize: Winner receives current CA$10,000 (increased in recent years; initially CA$5,000). Shortlisted non-winners historically receive CA$500 (if one) or CA$250 each (if two).

Doug Wright Awards for Canadian Cartooning

Established
2004
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Doug Wright Awards organization (awards ceremony usually held at Toronto Comic Arts Festival)
Selection Method
Open call / Recommendation
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Newcomer
Announcement Period
around May
Best Book (Long-form/Collected editions)The Nipper (Emerging Talent/Newcomer)Pigskin Peters (Small-/Micro-press/Small publishers)The Egghead (Kids' Book/Children's books)Comics/Graphic novels/Webcomics

Annual award presented to English-published Canadian comics (comics/graphic novels).

Prize: Wooden and glass trophy (Best Book/The Nipper) / Custom derby hat for Pigskin Peters. Custom bound copies of the winning works are presented to winners.

Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction

Established
1991
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Wilfrid Laurier University, Faculty of Arts
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Target
Newcomer
Announcement Period
around September
creative non-fictionNonfictionCanadian literaturedebut/early-career writers

Annual literary award recognizing the first or second work of emerging Canadian writers in creative non-fiction with geographical and cultural significance to Canada.

Prize: C$10,000 cash prize (main)

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young Readers

Established
1988
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Canadian Children's Book Centre
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Professional
Historical FictionChildren's literatureFor Young Readers

An annual literary award for historical fiction for young readers in Canada. CCBC conducts the judging, and prize money is awarded to the winner.

Prize: Cash prize awarded to the winner (Canadian dollars)

Gerald Lampert Memorial Award

Established
1981
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
League of Canadian Poets
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Newcomer
Announcement Period
around May–June
PoetryDebut award (first poetry collection)Canadian literature awardEnglish literature

Canadian debut poetry collection award targeting first published poetry books. Annual award hosted by League of Canadian Poets.

Prize: An encouragement grant is awarded to the winner (memorial award)

Griffin Poetry Prize

Established
2000
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry and Scott Griffin
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around May–June
PoetryTranslationCanadianInternational

An international poetry prize founded in 2000 by Scott Griffin. Awarded annually to a single collection of poetry written in or translated into English, with a prize of CAD30,000 — one of the largest prizes for a single poetry collection in the world.

Prize: Since 2022: single international prize of CAD$130,000 (winner). Shortlisted poets receive CAD$10,000; Lifetime Recognition Award: CAD$25,000. Historically there were separate Canadian and International prizes with different amounts.

Governor General's Awards

Established
1937
Frequency
Annual
Organizer
Office of the Governor General of Canada (overall); administered for many programs by the Canada Council for the Arts and by other organizations depending on the award (e.g., Rideau Hall Foundation, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Status of Women Canada).
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Professional
English-language fictionFrench-language fictionEnglish-language non-fictionFrench-language non-fictionEnglish-language poetryFrench-language poetryEnglish-language dramaFrench-language dramaChildren's literature (English)Children's literature (French)Children's illustration (English)Children's illustration (French)Translation (English↔French)Visual and Media ArtsPerforming ArtsMedals in ArchitectureHistory AwardsInnovation AwardsAwards in Commemoration of the Persons CaseAward in Celebration of the Nation's TableAcademic Medal and other specialized awards

A group of Canadian national awards presented by the Governor General recognizing distinction across literature, arts, and other fields; includes the prestigious Governor General's Literary Awards.

Prize: Prizes vary by program. Governor General's Literary Awards winners receive a cash prize and recognition; amounts differ across programs.

Herman Voaden Playwriting Competition

Established
1997
Frequency
Biennial (every 2 years)
Organizer
DAN School of Drama and Music, Queen's University
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Plays, Scripts, and Screenplays
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around November
PlayPlaywritingLiterary awardTheatre

A biennial national playwriting competition for Canadian citizens or permanent residents, administered by the DAN School of Drama and Music at Queen's University.

Prize: First prize: CAD 3,000; Second prize: CAD 2,000. Both winning works receive workshop productions at Thousand Islands Playhouse

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction

Established
1997
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Writers' Trust of Canada
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around November
NonfictionCanadian literature awardsEnglish-language literature awards

Canada's most lucrative nonfiction prize, awarded annually by the Writers' Trust of Canada to the best nonfiction work by a Canadian writer. Since 2023, the prize is CA$75,000.

Prize: Winner receives CA$60,000. All finalists each receive CA$5,000.

Innis-Gérin Medal

Established
1966
Frequency
Biennially (every 2 years)
Organizer
Royal Society of Canada
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Target
Professional
Social sciencesNon-fiction literary awardsCanadian academic awardsScience writing awards

A bronze medal awarded biennially by the Royal Society of Canada for a distinguished and sustained contribution to the literature of the social sciences, including human geography and social psychology.

Prize: Medal (recognition)

John Glassco Translation Prize

Established
1982
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
Literary Translators' Association of Canada (LTAC)
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Professional
TranslationLiteratureCanadian translation awardFirst translation prize

The Literary Translators' Association of Canada (LTAC) awards this translation prize annually to the most outstanding book translated into English or French. The winner receives $1,000 and a free LTAC membership.

Prize: $1,000 prize money and free LTAC membership

KOBZAR Book Award (Kobzar Literary Award)

Established
2003
Frequency
Biennial (every 2 years)
Organizer
Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (Shevchenko Foundation)
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around March
literary non-fictionFictionPoetryyoung readers' literatureplaysscreenplaysmusicals

A biennial literary award that recognizes outstanding contributions to literary works on Ukrainian-Canadian themes.

Prize: CA$25,000 (Main Prize)

Lane Anderson Award

Established
2011
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Fitzhenry Family Foundation
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around September
Science writingCanadian non-fictionAdult nonfictionYoung readers / Children's science

An annual award for Canadian science non-fiction works (adult category and young readers category).

Prize: Plaque and monetary prize (winner receives a plaque and a cash award)

Lorne Pierce Medal

Established
1926
Frequency
every two years (awarded biennially if a suitable candidate; awarded annually 1926–1964)
Organizer
Royal Society of Canada
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Professional
LiteratureCanadian literary awardMedalAcademic award

Medal awarded by the Royal Society of Canada for an achievement of special significance and conspicuous merit in imaginative or critical literature written in English or French (critical literature dealing with Canadian subjects has priority over critical literature of equal merit that does not deal with Canadian subjects).

Prize: Gold-plated silver medal

McNally Robinson Aboriginal Book of the Year Award

Established
2005
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
Presented as part of the Manitoba Book Awards program. Prize money donated by McNally Robinson bookstore. Previously co-produced by the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers and the Manitoba Writers' Guild; following the 2026 relaunch, governed by an independent non-profit board.
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Literature and General Literary Arts
Target
Professional
Indigenous literatureFirst NationsInuitMétisEnglish-language

A Canadian literary award presented annually since 2005 to First Nations, Inuit or Métis writers for works published in English. The prize is a cash award donated by McNally Robinson.

Prize: Cash prize donated by McNally Robinson (CAD 5,000)

McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award

Established
1988
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Manitoba Book Awards
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Literature and General Literary Arts
Target
Professional
Literary prizeEnglish-language booksRegional (Manitoba)

Presented annually to the Manitoba writer whose adult English-language book is judged the best written. Established in 1988. On hiatus since November 2023 following the suspension of the Manitoba Book Awards program; last awarded in 2023 to Jonathan Dyck for Shelterbelts.

Prize: Cash prize donated to the winner by McNally Robinson Booksellers

Milton Acorn People's Poetry Award

Established
1987
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Jeff Seffinga (Acorn-Plantos Award Committee)
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
PoetryPoetry awardCommemorative award

An annual Canadian poetry prize established in 1987 by Ted Plantos in memory of Milton Acorn. It recognizes Canadian poets whose work continues the accessible tradition of Acorn, Dorothy Livesay, Al Purdy, and others. The prize is $500 CAD and a medallion. The award continues under the name Acorn-Plantos Award for Peoples Poetry.

Prize: Cash prize (currently $500) and a medallion modeled after Milton Acorn

Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction

Established
1999
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Fleck Family Foundation and the Canadian Children's Book Centre
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around September–November
Children's booksNonfictionCanadian Literary Awards

A literary award established in 1999 for Canadian children's non-fiction works. CAD10,000 is awarded to the winner.

Prize: CDN$10,000 (Canadian dollars) is awarded to the winner