John Dos Passos Prize

じょん・どす・ぱっそすしょう

An annual literary award named after John Dos Passos that honors the achievements of American writers.

Literary awardAmerican literatureEnglish literatureWriter's achievement award

Established: 1980
Organizer: Longwood University
Category: Literature and General Literary Arts
Selection Method: Recommendation
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Status: Active

Description

Annual literary award established by Longwood University in 1980. Targets published bodies of work (long-term achievements) that originally explore American themes, demonstrate experimental approaches to form, and show interest in broad human experiences; selected by the department committee and judges. Winners receive prize money and a bronze medal.

Prize

Main Prize: Winners receive $5,000 USD and a bronze medal engraved with their name.
Cash Prize: 5,000 USD

Bronze medal (name engraved)

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Candidate selection (nomination)	Longwood University English and Modern Languages Department committee (chair, recent winner, prominent critics/editors/scholars)	—	Candidates selected within the committee
Final selection (winner determination)	The same committee conducts the review, with the chair leading the judging panel to make the final decision	—	Announced on Longwood University official website and news releases

Candidate selection (nomination)

Judges Longwood University English and Modern Languages Department committee (chair, recent winner, prominent critics/editors/scholars)

Announcement Candidates selected within the committee

Final selection (winner determination)

Judges The same committee conducts the review, with the chair leading the judging panel to make the final decision

Announcement Announced on Longwood University official website and news releases

Criteria

As a body of published works (long-term achievements), deeply and originally exploring uniquely American themes
Demonstrating an experimental approach to form
Demonstrating interest in a broad range of human experiences

Application Tips

Dos

Organize and present long-term publication achievements (multiple works) qualifying for the award
Clearly explain the themes or experimental style shown in the body of works
List representative works or selected bibliography, attach reviews or award history if available
Prepare comments or recommendation letters from recommenders (critics or editors)

Don''ts

Claiming long-term achievements based only on a single short story or single book
Listing inaccurate award history or publication information
Relying on simplistic imitation of form or themes

From Judges

This award emphasizes consistency and originality as a 'body of published works'
Formal experimentation and interest in broad human experiences are evaluated
Candidates' long-term achievements and influence are judged comprehensively