Literary Awards
There are lots of literary awards; here are descriptions of a few of them; from Books & Authors database by Gale.
The Agatha Awards, established by Malice Domestic in 1989 and named in honor of Agatha Christie, recognize outstanding traditional mysteries and related works first published in the United States by a living author during the previous year. The award, a teapot emblazoned with a skull and crossbones on the sides, is presented at the annual Malice convention. Agatha nominees receive a certificate recognizing their achievement. Only Malice conferees may vote for the awards; awards oversight is performed by the Agatha Committee. An eligible book must have been published in the United States between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year and must be written in the style of Agatha Christie's mysteries. This is loosely translated as no explicit sex, gore or violence; an amateur detective (usually); a confined setting; and characters who know each other. The Agatha Awards Committee reviews all nominated books for appropriateness and oversees the entire awards process
The Alex Awards were established in 1998 by Booklist and the Young Adult Library Association. Each year, the 10 best adult books for young adults are given the award
The American Book Awards were established to recognize outstanding contributions to contemporary American multicultural literature. The winners are selected by a panel of authors, editors, and publishers representing the broad spectrum of the American multicultural literary tradition. Plaques and travel expenses to the awards ceremonies are presented
The Bancroft Prize was established in 1948 to recognize the authors of the best works in American history
Publishing News sponsors the annual British Book Awards. This category is given to the book of the year. Starting in 2010 this award became known as the Galaxy National Book Award
The Caldecott Medal was established in 1937 to recognize the most distinguished American picture book for children. The award is named in honor of Randolph Caldecott, the noted 19th century English illustrator. It is bestowed by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association
Carnegie award, established in 1936 in honor of Andrew Carnegie, recognizes an outstanding book for children written in English and first published in the United Kingdom during the preceding year. Books published simultaneously in the United Kingdom and abroad are also eligible for consideration. For fiction, the choice is based upon consideration of plot, style, and characterization; for information books, the choice is based upon consideration of accuracy, method of presentation, style, and format. The award is sponsored by CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
The Costa Book Awards were established in 1971 to encourage and promote quality English literature by writers based in the UK and Ireland. Known as the Whitbread Book Awards until 2005, they are sponsored by Costa Coffee (a subsidiary of Whitbread, a leisure company that owns restaurants, hotels, and clubs) to further the enjoyment of reading. Books are considered in the following categories: Biography or Autobiography, Children's Novel, Novel, First Novel, and Poetry. One book from these categories is chosen as the Book of the Year. The winners each receive 5,000 pounds and the overall winner is awarded an additional 25,000 pounds
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards were established to recognize authors for outstanding contributions in mystery, crime, and suspense writing. The winners are awarded a ceramic bust of Edgar Allan Poe
Hemingway award, established in 1975 by Mary Hemingway in memory of her husband, was given to encourage the publication of first fiction by young and developing American writers. Authors of novels or collections of short stories in English, excluding children's books, are eligible. The deadline is December 31. A monetary prize of $8,000 is awarded
From 1965 through 1998, the Guardian Fiction Prize was awarded annually to an outstanding work of fiction published in the United Kingdom. In 1999 the award's name was changed to the Guardian Prize for a First Book, and works of nonfiction became eligible. The Prize is worth 10,000 pounds and is open to all debut writers regardless of genre
The Hammett Award was established in 1991 to recognize the best work of literary merit in crime fiction or nonfiction published in English by an American or Canadian author during the previous year
The Hugo Awards recognize outstanding achievement in science fiction or fantasy. They were established in 1953 in honor of Hugo Gernsback, who founded the first science fiction magazine and invented the term "science fiction”.
Established in 1989, the Lambda Literary Awards promote and recognize excellence in the area of gay and lesbian writing and publishing. Only gay and lesbian books published (copyrighted) in the previous calendar year in the United States are eligible. Nominations are accepted and solicited nationally; and a transparent engraved plaque in the shape of a book is awarded annually
Los Angeles Times Book Award: Fiction This award is given annually to recognize outstanding fictional works. Winners receive $1,000. Established in 1980, the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes later became the Los Angeles Times Book Awards. Writers of all nationalities qualify, but they must be living at the time their books are published
There are also several non-fiction catagories.
The Macavity Awards take their name from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. First presented in 1987 to recognize excellence in the mystery writing field, they are awarded annually by the members of Mystery Readers International
The Man Booker Prize, also known as the Booker Prize, which was established in 1968, is considered Britain's major literary prize for fiction and is given for full-length novels. Outstanding critics, writers, and academics serve as the judges; and citizens of the British Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland are eligible. Winners receive a monetary prize of (L)50,000
National Book Awards These awards, established in 1950 and renamed the American Book Awards (TABA) from 1980 to 1986, are given to honor American books of the highest literary merit. There are separate judging panels for each category. Full-length books, collections of short stories and essays, and collected and selected poems written by American authors and published by American publishers between December 1 and November 30 are eligible, but reprints and translations are not accepted. Winners in each category receive $10,000, while runners-up receive $1,000 each. The nonprofit National Book Foundation currently administers these awards
The Nebula Awards are voted on, and presented by, active members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., founded as the Science Fiction Writers of America in 1965 by Damon Knight. The Nebula Awards are in the areas of Best Novel (40,000 words or more), Best Novella (17,500-39,999 words), Best Novelette (7,500-17,499 words), and Best Short Story (7,499 words or less).
Nero Wolfe award, established in 1979 in honor of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe mystery series, is given to the best detective novel published during the current year. A trophy, a bust of Nero Wolfe, is awarded at the Wolfe Pack's Black Orchid Banquet the first Saturday in December.
The Newbery Medal was established in 1922 and is awarded yearly to recognize an author for a most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award is named for John Newbery, the 18th-century British bookseller. It is bestowed by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association
The Nobel Prize for Literature recognizes a person who has produced the most distinguished work of an idealistic nature in the field of literature. Authors, regardless of nationality, are considered for their complete body of work. A monetary prize, paid in Swedish kronor, a gold medal, and a diploma are awarded annually
The Pen Center USA: West Literary Awards, established in 1982, are given to writers living west of the Mississippi River. The awards are given annually in a variety of categories, from Fiction to Poetry. Winners receive a cash prize of $1000.
Pen/Faulkner award was established in 1980 to honor the best work of fiction published by an American writer in the previous calendar year. American citizens are eligible. A monetary prize of $15,000 is awarded to the winner, and $5,000 to each of four other nominees
The Philip K. Dick Award was established in 1982 to honor legendary writer Philip K. Dick. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, it is given out annually for "distinguished science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States.
Prix Goncourt, one of the most prestigious literary prizes in France, is given to recognize an author for an outstanding prose work, preferably a novel, published during the preceding year. Younger writers may submit works. Honorary recognition and a monetary award are awarded annually in the fall. The award was established in 1914 by a bequest of Edmond de Goncourt
Pulitzer This award, established in 1917 and endowed by Joseph Pulitzer, the noted Hungarian-born American journalist who founded the Columbia University School of Journalism, is given to recognize outstanding accomplishments in journalism, letters, music, and drama. The nominees are screened by juries appointed in each category and recommended to the Pulitzer Prize Board. The awardee for Public Service in Journalism receives a gold medal. All other awardees receive a monetary award of $7,500
The Whitbread Book of the Year has been awarded annually since 1986. The winner is selected from the winners of the five categories of the Whitbread Prize: Biography or Autobiography, Children's Novel, Novel, First Novel, and Poetry. In 2006, the name of the award changed to the Costa Book Awards
The Whitbread Literary Awards were established in 1971 to encourage and promote good English literature. Now known as the Whitbread Book Awards, they are sponsored by Whitbread (a leisure company which owns restaurants, hotels, and clubs) to further the enjoyment of reading, a leisure activity which this corporation deems important. Whitbread partners with the National Reading Campaign, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, amazon.co.uk, and the Booksellers Association. Books are considered in the following categories: Biography or Autobiography, Children's Novel, Novel, First Novel, and Poetry. In 2006, the name of the award changed to the Costa Book Awards
