The NH Literary Awards recognize published works written about New Hampshire as well as works that are written by New Hampshire natives or residents. Books may be nominated in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s picture books, middle grade/young adult books. All entries will be read and evaluated by a panel of judges assembled by the Literary Awards Committee Chairperson.
There will be a second opportunity for literary recognition through the Readers’ Choice Awards. For the People’s Choice Awards, from September 5, 2023, through October 7, 2023, anyone will be able to cast one vote online for their favorite nominee in each category. To be eligible, books must have been published between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022. Submit three print copies of the book, a $75 nomination fee, along with a completed nomination form to the NH Writers’ Project by June 2, 2023.
Our Judges
Our judges are teachers, librarians, and readers from the state of New Hampshire and are independent of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project. They are not members or staff of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project. All members, board trustees, and staff are eligible to enter.
Categories
- Fiction – Outstanding Work of Fiction will be awarded to a writer for a book of fiction published from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. This may be a novel or a collection of short stories and may focus on a particular genre such as, but not limited to, mystery or science fiction.
- Nonfiction – Outstanding Work of Nonfiction will be awarded to a writer for a book of nonfiction published from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. This may be creative nonfiction, biography, memoir, historical nonfiction, or books that focus on travel, education, cooking, or other nonfiction topics.
- Poetry – Outstanding Book of Poetry will be awarded to a poet for a book or chapbook of poetry published from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022.
- Children’s Picture Books – Outstanding Work of Children’s Literature will be awarded to a writer for a children’s fiction or nonfiction picture book published from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022.
- Middle Grade/Young Adult Books – Outstanding Middle Grade/Young Adult Book will be awarded to a writer for a work of middle grade or young adult fiction or nonfiction published January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022.
The NH Literary Awards judges reserve the right to forego an award in a particular category or categories if there are no submissions. The NH Literary Awards judges reserve the right to select two awards in a particular category or categories if the judges deem this decision appropriate.
Rules
- Nominations open from February 17, 2023 until June 2, 2023. The Postmark deadline is May 31, 2023.
- Nominations are welcome from anyone, including writers, publishers, organizations, and the general public. Self-nominations are welcome. Writers may be nominated in more than one category. Each nomination will require a separate entry.
- All nominators (including those who nominate themselves) will remain anonymous to the judges.
- There is a $75 fee for each nomination made to help cover administrative costs, payable in check form to the NH Writers’ Project.
- Books must be written (or anthologies must be edited) by a NH native or current NH resident.
- Books must have been published in a first edition between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022.
- Books must be published in print form. No eBooks or photocopies are accepted.
- Self-published works will be considered.
- All nominations must include three (3) copies of the book nominated. These copies will not be returned and will become the property of the NH Writers’ Project.
- Finalists will be announced in the fall of 2023.
- The NH Literary Awards ceremony will be held on October 21, 2023 on the SNHU campus.
To nominate a book, the following must be received by the NH Writers’ project in one package by mail:
- Three (3) copies of the book nominated
- Completed nomination form.
- $75 nomination fee, payable by check to the NH Writers’ Project
- Mail in one package by June 2, 2023 to: NH Writers’ Project, 2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH 03106
