[Aspen Institute](https://www.aspeninstitute.org)

August 2026 (nomination/submission deadline)

$35,000 annual prize for a single work of fiction; one-year award.

Annual award recognizing a work of fiction that illuminates vital contemporary issues and demonstrates literature’s power to inspire change.

Publishers must submit; authors cannot self-nominate.

--- ## Description The Aspen Words Literary Prize is a prestigious annual $35,000 award honoring an influential work of fiction—either a novel or a short story collection—that sheds light on vital contemporary issues and showcases the transformative power of literature to shape thought and culture. The prize highlights fiction that engages with pressing societal topics such as violence, inequality, gender, the environment, immigration, religion, race, or other social issues. Open to authors of any nationality, the award is one of the largest literary prizes in the United States focused exclusively on fiction with social impact. --- ## Due Dates - August 2026 (anticipated nomination/submission deadline; publishers must submit entries by 5 PM MDT) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $35,000 cash prize awarded annually to one author for a single work of fiction. - One-time award; no multi-year funding. --- ## Eligibility - Only publishers may submit nominations; authors cannot self-nominate. - Maximum of 4 submissions per publisher (per imprint or small press). - Eligible works: - Must be a work of fiction (novel or short story collection) published by a U.S. trade publisher (commercial, academic, or small press) between January 1 and December 31 of the prize year. - May be by authors of any nationality or residency. - Must illuminate vital contemporary issues (e.g., gender, environment, violence, inequality, justice, religion, race). - Translations into English are eligible if published in the U.S. within the qualifying year. - Ineligible works: - Self-published, vanity press, print-on-demand, or hybrid-published books. - Anthologies with multiple authors, coauthored works, scripts, screenplays, and children’s literature (picture books, middle grade, and young adult). - Authors must be living at the time of submission. - Authors, employees, board members, or immediate family members of the Aspen Institute are not eligible. - No restriction based on previous prizes won. --- ## Application Process - Publishers complete the [online submission form](https://aspeninstitute.wufoo.com/forms/mv6lark1yxvpgq/) and pay a $105 entry fee per title (fee waived for first entry if publisher’s annual net sales are under $4 million, with documentation). - Digital PDF copies of each submitted title must be emailed to Literary.Prize@aspeninstitute.org. - Publishers must provide a high-resolution book cover, author biography, and author photo. - Authors must be informed of and consent to the nomination. - Shortlisted authors are required to attend the awards ceremony in New York City (publishers cover travel; Aspen Words covers two nights’ lodging). - Finalists and winner must participate in Aspen Words/Aspen Institute publicity activities. - Winning and finalist books will be featured in Aspen Words’ programming. --- ## Additional Information - The selection process involves a longlist chosen by a committee and a shortlist/winner selected by a jury of notable authors and literary experts. - The prize ceremony is held in April in New York City, with public and livestreamed events. - Past winners include Mohsin Hamid, Tayari Jones, Christy Lefteri, Louise Erdrich, Dawnie Walton, Jamil Jan Kochai, Isabella Hammad, and Tommy Orange. - The winning book is also featured in a Community Read event in Colorado. --- ## External Links - [Aspen Words Literary Prize Program Page](https://www.aspenwords.org/programs/literary-prize/) - [Aspen Words Literary Prize Eligibility & Submissions](https://www.aspenwords.org/literary-prize/#ELIGIBILITY) - [Online Submission Form (for publishers)](https://aspeninstitute.wufoo.com/forms/mv6lark1yxvpgq/) - [Aspen Words Main Page](https://www.aspenwords.org/) - [Aspen Institute](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |-------------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------| | General Inquiries | [literary.prize@aspeninstitute.org](mailto:literary.prize@aspeninstitute.org) | (970) 925-3122 | | Caroline Tory, Managing Director | [Caroline.Tory@aspeninstitute.org](mailto:Caroline.Tory@aspeninstitute.org) | (970) 925-3122 Ext. 3 | For more staff contacts, see the [Aspen Words About Us page](https://www.aspenwords.org/about-us/).

Aspen Words Literary Prize

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