Juried literary
National Book Awards
National Book Foundation
In short
The National Book Awards are given by the National Book Foundation for American literature in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people's literature. A place on the longlist or the finalist list is reported by the trade press and general media, and booksellers and librarians act on it. Only the United States publisher can enter, and a self-published book qualifies only if its publisher also publishes other authors. Ask your publisher before the spring window whether your book is being entered.
This cycle closedChecked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Every label is a fact from the official rules, never a judgment about whether the award is worth entering. How we describe awards.
The last verified deadline has passed. Check the official source for the next cycle.
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The National Book Awards recognize American literature in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people's literature. Entries are submitted by publishers during a spring window, and a longlist, finalists, and winners are announced in the fall.
Why it may matter
A longlist or finalist placement is reported by the trade press and general media, with immediate effects on bookseller and library attention. Authors do not enter; the publisher must submit, which is a conversation to have early.
2026 cycle: 2026 awards
- Eligible publication dates
- December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026
- Entries open
- March 25, 2026Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Final deadline
- May 13, 2026 (passed)Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Deadline note
- Entry form closed Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 8:00 pm EDT; copies were due Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8:00 pm EDT
- Entry fee
- $135 non-refundable entry fee for each submitted title, paid by the publisherChecked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Results
- Longlists September 15 to 17, 2026; finalists October 6, 2026; winners November 18, 2026
| Tier | Deadline | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Per title | May 13, 2026 | $135 |
Worth knowing
Our reading, not a rule the organization published. We judge an award on the rubric in how we describe awards.
Because only publishers submit, the practical checklist step is to ask your publisher, before the spring window, whether the book will be entered. As of September 16, 2026 the submissions page (nationalbook.org/national-book-awards/submissions/ (opens in a new tab)) said the 2026 submissions were closed and gave no dates for 2027.
Rules and deadlines change. We last checked this information on September 16, 2026. If you see something that needs updating, please tell us.
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