PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel

pen/heminguwei shō (debyū shōsetsu shō)

Annual award recognizing debut novels by American authors, administered by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation since 2026 in partnership with the Hemingway Foundation and Society. Established 1976.

Debut novelFull-length novelShort story collectionAmerican literatureFiction award

Established: 1976
Organizer: PEN/Faulkner Foundation (administrator since 2026 cycle), in partnership with the Hemingway Foundation and Society
Category: General Fiction and Popular Fiction
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Newcomer
Frequency: 1 per year
Application Deadline: around September
Announcement Period: around March
Status: Active

Description

The PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel is awarded annually to debut full-length novels or short story collections by American writers who have not previously published a full-length novel. Established in 1976 by Mary Welsh Hemingway, funded by the Hemingway family and Hemingway Foundation/Society, operated by PEN America. Winners are selected by a panel of three distinguished fiction writers, and the winner receives a cash prize. Winners, finalists, and runners-up may receive Ucross Residency Fellowships. The award ceremony is often held at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Prize

Main Prize: The winner (Winner) receives a cash prize of US$25,000. The winner, 2 finalists, and 2 runners-up are provided with Ucross Residency Fellowships.
Cash Prize: 25,000 USD

Ucross Residency Fellowship (winner, finalists, runners-up)
Award ceremony (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston)
Publicity and exposure by PEN America

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Application/Nomination		—	—
Nomination (Finalist selection)		—	—
Final judging/Winner selection	Three distinguished fiction writers (selection panel)	—	Announced at the award ceremony (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston)

Application/Nomination

Judges

Nomination (Finalist selection)

Judges

Final judging/Winner selection

Judges Three distinguished fiction writers (selection panel)

Announcement Announced at the award ceremony (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston)

Criteria

Must be the first full-length fiction work (debut work)
Literary quality (originality of style and expression)
Narrative structure and depth of character portrayal
Future potential and promise as a writer

Application Tips

Dos

Always confirm eligibility requirements (debut requirements)
Strictly adhere to submission guidelines, formats, and deadlines
Submit a complete manuscript that has been thoroughly proofread
Clearly demonstrate the work's unique voice and style

Don''ts

Do not submit incomplete works or those needing major revisions
Do not ignore submission guidelines or formats
Do not make false declarations about publication history, etc.

From Judges

Judges often emphasize 'voice' and originality of style
Narrative completion, depth of character depiction, and structural clarity are evaluated
Freshness as a debut work and future potential are also highly valued