World Literary Awards

Literary Awards

Browse award recipients, categories, and yearly award lists

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580 literary awards

SAARC Literary Award

Established
2001
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL)
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
Literary awardPoetryRegion (South Asia)

An annual literary award presented by FOSWAL (Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature) to South Asian writers (established in 2001).

Kiriyama Prize

Established
1996
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Pacific Rim Voices (San Francisco-based non-profit organization)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Target
Open
International Literary AwardFictionNonfictionBooks related to the Pacific Rim and South Asia

International literary award for books on the Pacific Rim and South Asia. Established in 1996, discontinued in 2008.

Prize: Total $30,000 (evenly split between fiction and nonfiction winners)

Casa de las Américas Prize

Established
1959
Frequency
Annual (some categories awarded in alternate years)
Organizer
Casa de las Américas (Havana, Cuba)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around April
NovelPoetryShort storyDramaEssayTestimonial literature (Testimonio)Children's literatureTheaterTestimonial LiteratureChildren's and Young Adult LiteratureCaribbean Literature in EnglishFrancophone Caribbean LiteratureBrazilian Literature (Portuguese)Indigenous LiteratureStudies on Latinos in the United States

Presented annually since 1960 by Casa de las Américas, the Cuban cultural institution based in Havana, this is one of Latin America and the Caribbean's most prestigious literary prizes. Works in Spanish, Portuguese, English, and French are eligible across categories including fiction, poetry, short stories, theater, essay, and testimonial literature.

Prize: Awards by category (honor and recognition). Specific prize amounts are not listed on the official website.

OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature

Established
2011
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
NGC Bocas Lit Fest (organizer), Sponsor: One Caribbean Media (OCM)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around May
FictionPoetryLiterary non-fictionCaribbean literature

Annual literary award targeting books by authors of Caribbean origin or Caribbean citizens. Shortlists are selected from poetry, fiction, and non-fiction categories, with prize money awarded to the overall winner.

Prize: Overall winner: US$10,000 (US$3,000 awarded to each shortlisted work)

Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Established
2012
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Commonwealth Foundation (administered through its cultural programme, Commonwealth Writers)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Target
Open
Application Deadline
around November
Announcement Period
around June
Short story awardFor unpublished worksEnglish-language works onlyInternational literature awardShort Fiction PrizeUnpublished WorksMultilingual SubmissionsInternational Literary AwardRegional Awards

An annual international prize for unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words) open to Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and over. The overall winner receives £5,000 and each of five regional winners receives £2,500. Stories may be submitted in 13 languages, including Bengali, Chinese, French, and Malay, with English translations also accepted.

Prize: Overall winner £5,000; Regional winners £2,500 (Regional prizes were £1,000 in 2012–13)

Commonwealth Writers' Prize

Established
1987
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Commonwealth Foundation (Commonwealth Writers)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Literature and General Literary Arts
Target
Newcomer
Novel (Best Book)Debut Novel (Best First Book)Short StoryRegional Awards

An international literary award established by the Commonwealth Foundation in 1987. Regional winners were selected, and the Pan-Commonwealth best work was determined from among the regional winners. In 2011, the traditional award was discontinued, and since then, the short story award has continued under the Commonwealth Writers program.

Prize: Regional winners (4 regions) and the Pan-Commonwealth Best Book and Best First Book selected from regional winners

Encore Award

Established
1990
Frequency
Once a year (usually)
Organizer
Royal Society of Literature (organizer/announcer), sponsor: Lucy Astor
Selection Method
Selection
Category
General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around June
FictionNovelSecond novel (2nd work)

British literary award given to second novels (organized by Royal Society of Literature)

Prize: Prize money for the best second novel (current announced amount: £15,000)

John Llewellyn Rhys Prize

Established
1942
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
BookTrust (2003–2010). Previously The Mail on Sunday (1987–2002). Founded: Jane Oliver (1942)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Open
FictionNonfictionPoetryDramaFor young writersEnglish literature

Annual literary award given to works by Commonwealth writers aged 35 or under, written in English and published in the UK. Established 1942, last awarded 2010, suspended since 2011 due to funding issues.

Prize: £5,000 to the winner (as of 2010). £500 each to runners-up (as of 2010).

European Book Prize

Established
2007
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Esprit d'Europe
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Criticism and Critical Writing
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around December
Essay (essai)Novel and narratives (romans et récits)Jury prize

A literary award to promote European values and contribute to understanding the EU as a cultural entity.

Prize: Winner receives €10,000 (each).

Nordic Council Literature Prize

Established
1962
Frequency
Annual
Organizer
Nordic Council
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Literature and General Literary Arts
Target
Professional
Literature prizeInternational Literature PrizeNordic Literature

An annual prize awarded to works written in the languages of Nordic countries that meet high literary and artistic standards.

Prize: Cash prize (350,000 DKK) and recognition (honor)

Prisma

Established
2023
Frequency
Annual
Organizer
Bookstore Page 28 (Malmö) and Bögbibblan
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around December
Queer literatureNordic literatureMultiple genres (children's/young adult, poetry, non-fiction, novels, comics, translations, etc.)

Annual literary award targeting Nordic queer (LGBTQ) literature. Established in 2023.

Prize: Winners in each category (no public information on prize money or specific prizes available)

Aga Khan Prize for Fiction

Established
1956
Frequency
Annual
Organizer
The Paris Review (editors)
Selection Method
Selection
Category
General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Target
Professional
Short storyFictionLiterary award

The Aga Khan Prize for Fiction was awarded by the editors of The Paris Review to the best short story published in the magazine, presented from 1956 until 2004.

Prize: US$1,000 cash prize to the winner

Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American Poetry

Established
1987
Frequency
Annual (once a year)
Organizer
Sewanee Review / University of the South
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
PoetryAmerican PoetryLifetime Achievement Award

Annual award honoring long-standing outstanding achievements in modern American poetry. Operated by Sewanee Review and University of the South.

Prize: Prestigious award for lifetime achievement

Ambassador Book Award

Established
1986
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
English-Speaking Union
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
FictionBiographyAutobiographyPoetryAmerican StudiesCurrent AffairsNonfictionLiterary AchievementSpecial Citation / Distinguished Achievement

An award presented annually by the English-Speaking Union from 1986 to 2011, honoring literary and non-fiction works that contribute to the understanding of American life and culture.

American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal (Belles Lettres and Criticism)

Established
1916
Frequency
Twice a year (Academy awards 2 recipients per year overall, rotating through categories)
Organizer
American Academy of Arts and Letters
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Criticism and Critical Writing
Target
Professional
Belles LettresCriticismEssaysLiterature

Among the Gold Medals awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, this is the gold medal in the Belles Lettres and Criticism category. An honorary award given to individuals with distinguished achievements in belles lettres, criticism, or essays.

Prize: Gold Medal (Honorary Award) — No specific monetary prize amount has been publicly announced

American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal (Drama)

Established
1909
Frequency
Once a year (two gold medals awarded annually)
Organizer
American Academy of Arts and Letters
Selection Method
Vote
Category
Plays, Scripts, and Screenplays
Target
Open
DramaPlaywritingPerforming arts

Honorary gold medal awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters for outstanding achievements in the field of drama.

Prize: Gold Medal (Honorary)

American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal — Fiction (Novel, Short Story)

Established
1915
Frequency
Twice a year (categories rotate)
Organizer
American Academy of Arts and Letters
Selection Method
Vote
Category
General Arts and Media Arts
Target
Open
FictionNovelShort StoryLiterary award

Gold medal awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters to writers who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the field of fiction.

Prize: Gold Medal (Honorary Award)

American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal (Poetry)

Established
1911
Frequency
Twice a year (The Academy awards two Gold Medals each year, with fields rotating)
Organizer
American Academy of Arts and Letters
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
PoetryLiteratureHonorary Award (Gold Medal)

Gold Medal (honorary award) awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters to recognize outstanding achievements in poetry.

Prize: Gold Medal (honorary award). No official cash prize specified (primarily honorary recognition).

American Book Awards

Established
1978
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Before Columbus Foundation
Selection Method
Selection
Category
General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Target
Professional
Literary awardMulticultural literatureNo genre restrictions (novels, poetry, non-fiction, etc.)

An annual literary award recognizing the achievements of American writers and books. Selects multiple winners through selection by writers themselves, without nominations or categories.

Prize: Honorary commendation (plaque, certificate, etc.). No monetary prize is generally provided.

Anisfield-Wolf Book Award

Established
1935
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
Cleveland Foundation
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
Application Deadline
around October
Announcement Period
around April
FictionPoetryNonfictionMemoir/AutobiographyLifetime achievementSpecial achievement

America's only endowed juried prize dedicated to literature that contributes to the understanding of race and appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures. Established in 1935 by Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf, administered by the Cleveland Foundation. Awards are given annually in categories including fiction, nonfiction, memoir/autobiography, poetry, and lifetime achievement.

Prize: Each category winner receives prize money and promotional support (winners are honored at the ceremony with media exposure opportunities).

Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

Established
2012
Frequency
Once a year (one each for fiction and nonfiction)
Organizer
American Library Association (ALA) / Booklist / Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around January
Adult FictionAdult NonfictionLibrary-related Literary AwardUnited States

Annual award presented by the American Library Association (ALA) recognizing the best fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers published in the U.S. the previous year. Each winner receives a $5,000 cash award. Co-sponsored by ALA's Booklist and the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA).

Prize: $5,000 to each category winner (1 fiction, 1 nonfiction), $1,500 to 2 finalists per category.

Arab American Book Award

Established
2006
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Arab American National Museum
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Open
Application Deadline
around March
Announcement Period
around September–November
Adult fictionNon-fiction (Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award)Children's/Young AdultPoetry (George Ellenbogen Poetry Award)

An annual book award honoring Arab American culture, research, and literature (organized by Arab American National Museum).

Prize: Recognition and promotion upon winning (introduction on official website and museum, commendation at award ceremony). The fixed amount of prize money is not clearly stated in public information.

Arthur Rense Prize

Established
1998
Frequency
Every 3 years (Triennial)
Organizer
American Academy of Arts and Letters
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
PoetryLiterary award

Award presented by the American Academy of Arts and Letters every three years to outstanding poets. Prize money is $20,000.

Prize: Cash prize for outstanding poets

Asian American Literary Awards

Established
1998
Frequency
Annual
Organizer
Asian American Writers' Workshop
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Open
FictionPoetryNonfictionMembers' ChoiceLifetime Achievement

Annual awards by the Asian American Writers' Workshop honoring excellence in fiction, poetry and nonfiction by Asian American authors.

Prize: Honors in fiction, poetry and nonfiction; Members' Choice Award; Lifetime Achievement Award.

Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature

Established
0
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around January
Adult FictionAdult NonfictionChildren's literatureYoung Adult LiteraturePicture Book

APALA's annual literature award that honors books related to Asian/Pacific Americans.

Prize: Honor and recognition (winners receive commendation from APALA and promotion of their works). No officially designated cash prize is specified.

Bancroft Prize

Established
1948
Frequency
Annually
Organizer
Trustees of Columbia University
Selection Method
Selection
Category
Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Target
Professional
Announcement Period
around March
HistoryDiplomacyAmerican HistoryNonfiction

An academic prize awarded annually by the Columbia University Board of Trustees to books on diplomacy and the history of the American continents.

Prize: Cash is awarded to winners as an incentive grant. The current prize amount is $10,000 per recipient (increased from $4,000 in 2004).

Saif Ghobash–Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation

Established
2006
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Founded by Banipal Trust for Arab Literature (Banipal), operated and managed by The Society of Authors (UK)
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Open
Application Deadline
around March
Announcement Period
around January
Translation awardArabic literatureLiterary translation

Annual translation award given to published English translations of long Arabic literary works.

Prize: Award to the translator (recognition and prize money). Details vary by year; refer to official announcements.

Best Translated Book Award

Established
2008
Frequency
Once a year
Organizer
Three Percent（Open Letter Books / University of Rochester）
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Research, Translation, and Scholarship
Target
Open
Announcement Period
around May
Translation awardFictionPoetry

An American literary award honoring outstanding translations into English in fiction and poetry. Founded in 2008, it has been on indefinite hiatus since 2021.

Prize: Prize money for winners in each category. Officially $5,000 per winner (after Amazon funding). In some years, the format was for the translator and original author to receive shares respectively.

Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry

Established
1988
Frequency
Biennial
Organizer
Library of Congress (The Center for the Book)
Selection Method
Recommendation
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Professional
PoetryLiterary awardAmerican poetry

Poetry prize awarded biennially by the Library of Congress to the most outstanding U.S. poetry collection published in the past two years (prize money $10,000).

Prize: Standard prize money $10,000 (may be replaced with Lifetime Achievement Award at judges' discretion)

Bollingen Prize for Poetry

Established
1948
Frequency
every two years (biennial; awarded annually 1948–1963; biennial thereafter)
Organizer
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University
Selection Method
Open call
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Target
Open
PoetryAmerican poetryLiterary award

A biennial American poetry prize administered by the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University, recognizing a poet's best new volume or lifetime achievement.

Prize: Cash award recognizing a poet's best new volume or lifetime achievement (administered by Yale's Beinecke Library).