Literary Awards
Since 1963, the PEN America Literary Awards have honored many of the most outstanding voices in literature across diverse genres, including fiction, poetry, science writing, essays, sports writing, biography, children’s literature, and drama. With the help of our partners, PEN America confers over 20 distinct awards, fellowships, grants and prizes each year, awarding nearly $350,000 to writers and translators.
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SUBMISSIONS OPEN
2019 PEN AMERICA LITERARY AWARDS
PEN America is pleased to announce that submissions for the 2019 PEN Literary Awards will open on June 1, 2018. Click here to view a full list of our current awards. Book submissions will be accepted from June 1, 2018 through August 15, 2018. Please check individual awards for eligibility and application requirements.
We also accept nominations from Professional Members for many of our most prestigious career awards. If you are a current Professional Member in good standing, please take a moment to nominate deserving poets, playwrights, editors, and more.
Together with our esteemed judges, we look forward to another vibrant awards season.
View a full list of our awards, grants, and fellowships, both past and present.
Search the PEN Literary Awards archives.
Find links to work by and interviews with featured honorees.
News
PEN/ Robert W. Bingham Prize to Celebrate Debut Short Story Collection
“With the generous support of the Bingham family, we are able to honor the promising and ambitious works of exemplary debut short story writers and support them as they… More
The 2018 PEN America Literary Awards Winners
PEN America is thrilled to announce the 2018 PEN America Literary Awards winners. Our awards are juried by panels of esteemed, award-winning writers, editors, booksellers, and critics. Learn more… More
2018 PEN America Lifetime and Career Achievement Honorees
In addition to PEN America's book awards, which celebrate the best books published in a given year, PEN America also honors the outstanding careers and lifetime contributions to the… More
The 2018 PEN America Literary Awards Finalists
PEN America is thrilled to announce the 2018 PEN America Literary Awards finalists. Our awards are juried by panels of esteemed, award-winning writers, editors, booksellers, and critics. Learn more… More
Announcing the 2018 PEN America Literary Awards Longlists
PEN America is thrilled to announce the longlists for the 2018 PEN America Literary Awards. Our awards are juried by panels of esteemed, award-winning writers, editors, booksellers, and critics.… More