Aspen Words Literary Prize
The Aspen Words Literary Prize awards $35,000 to a novel or short story collection that powerfully addresses vital contemporary social issues and demonstrates literature's ability to inspire cultural change.
Funder: Aspen Institute
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2026 (publisher submission deadline, 5:00 PM MDT, projected)
Funding Amounts: $35,000 award for one winner; annual competition
Summary: Recognizes an influential work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature.
Key Information: Submissions accepted only from publishers; self-nominations not allowed.
Description
The Aspen Words Literary Prize is a major annual award of $35,000 for a single work of fiction—either a novel or a short story collection—published by a U.S. trade publisher. The prize honors books that illuminate vital contemporary issues and demonstrate literature’s power to transform culture and inspire meaningful societal change. Eligible works must engage deeply with topics such as gender, environment, violence, inequality, justice, religion, race, or other pressing social issues.
The award is open to authors of any nationality, provided the book is published in the U.S. during the designated calendar year. The program is recognized as one of the largest literary prizes in the United States focused exclusively on socially impactful fiction.
