W. Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction
だぶりゅー・わい・ぼいど ぐんじ ふぃくしょん ゆうしゅうしょう
A literary award presented annually by the ALA for outstanding fiction set during periods when the United States was at war.
Military fictionAdult fictionAmerican literatureSponsored by library organizations
- Established
- 1997
- Organizer
- American Library Association
- Category
- Publishing Culture and Book Culture
- Selection Method
- Recommendation
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Announcement Period
- around May
- Status
- Active
Description
The W. Y. Boyd Literary Award was established in 1997 by the American Library Association (ALA) and is awarded annually to honor "the best fiction set in a period when the United States was at war." (the best fiction set during periods when the United States was at war). It was created to recognize the service of American veterans and military personnel, with funds provided by William Young Boyd II (1926–2015), a writer and World War II veteran. Winners are announced in ALA's official announcements (news releases).
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination (Recommendation Submission) | Recommendations by publishers, librarians, ALA members, etc. (using ALA-designated nomination form) | — | Accepted via ALA nomination form |
| Selection | ALA Selection Committee (librarians, history and literature experts, etc.) | — | Committee reviews to narrow down candidates |
| Final Decision and Announcement | Final decision by ALA (Selection Committee) | — | Announced via ALA's news & press releases and official website (News & Press Center) |
Nomination (Recommendation Submission)
Judges
Recommendations by publishers, librarians, ALA members, etc. (using ALA-designated nomination form)
Announcement
Accepted via ALA nomination form
Selection
Judges
ALA Selection Committee (librarians, history and literature experts, etc.)
Announcement
Committee reviews to narrow down candidates
Final Decision and Announcement
Judges
Final decision by ALA (Selection Committee)
Announcement
Announced via ALA's news & press releases and official website (News & Press Center)
Criteria
- Set during a period when the United States was at war (primary condition)
- Themes or depictions that recognize the service or experiences of military personnel and veterans
- Literary excellence (style, structure, character portrayal, etc.)
- Historical and factual accuracy and realism
Application Tips
Dos
- 対象作品が米国が戦時であった時期を舞台にしていることを明確にする
- 出版情報（出版社、刊行年月、ISBNなど）を正確に添付する
- ALAの公式ノミネーションフォームを利用し、提出期限を守る
- 推薦状や編集者コメントなど、作品の評価を裏付ける資料を添える
Don''ts
- ノンフィクションや戦時を主要舞台としない作品を応募しない
- 必要な書誌情報や提出書類を欠落させない
- 権利関係の確認を怠る（権利処理中の作品等は避ける）
From Judges
- 歴史的事実と文学的表現の両立を重視する
- 登場人物の深い描写と現実感が評価されやすい
- 戦争体験の描写だけでなく、その影響や奉仕の意味を掘り下げた作品が高く評価される
Related Awards
- Sophie Brody Award (Sophie Brody Award)
- Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction
- Dartmouth Medal
- Eliza Atkins Gleason Book Award
- Stonewall Book Award