About the Minnesota Book Awards
The Minnesota Book Awards is a year-long program that connects readers and writers throughout Minnesota with the stories of our neighbors.
The process begins in the fall with book submissions and continues through winter with two rounds of judging. Winners are announced at the annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony each spring. Woven throughout the season are various activities and events that promote the authors and connect the world of Minnesota books – writers, artists, illustrators, publishers, editors, and more – to readers throughout the state.
Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony
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Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, May 7 | Ordway Center for Performing Arts
345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Emcee: Nur-D
Celebrate the state’s best books at the 36th annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Education Minnesota. Readers, writers, and booklovers from across Minnesota are invited to gather and celebrate the stories of Minnesotans that inspire and connect us.
6:00 p.m. – Preface
Meet the finalists and mingle with your fellow book lovers. Enjoy book sales and signing and a cash bar.
7:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
Awards are presented to winners in nine categories and to the recipient of the Book Artist, Hognander Minnesota History, and Kay Sexton awards, with special guests. The Ceremony will include ASL interpretation and live captioning on large screens.
Music to accompany the Ceremony will be provided by Elisha Marin and The Page Turners.
9:00 p.m. – Epilogue
Celebrate with friends, buy featured books, and grab a treat when you leave.
Learn more about the finalists and their books here.
Tickets
Annual Ceremony at Ordway - $22 (including fees)
By clicking the button you'll be redirected to the Ordway ticket page.
- Click here for directions and parking information.
- Additional donations to The Friends in support of the Minnesota Book Awards are appreciated. Gifts will be dedicated to support future Book Awards and/or statewide Book Awards outreach activities. The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Register Here For The Livestream
In recognition of the Minnesota Book Awards and its other statewide programs and services, the Library of Congress has recognized The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the state’s designated Center for the Book.
Book Awards Season
The Minnesota Book Awards season starts in the summer and culminates with the awards ceremony in the spring of the next year.
Judges
Applications for judging will be accepted August 1 - September 15.
Submissions
Book submissions will be accepted August 14 - November 17.
Click here for more information.
Finalists
Finalists are announced at the end of January each year.
Winners
Winners will be announced at the 2024 Ceremony, May 7 at the Ordway.
Book Submissions
Book submissions are now closed.
Submission deadline: Friday, November 17, 2023, 5:00 p.m. CST
Other Submissions
Nominations for the Kay Sexton Award are open.
Submission deadline: Friday, December 15, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
Nominations for the Book Artist Award are open.
Submission deadline: Monday, January 8, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Nominations for the Hognander Award are open.
Submission deadline: Friday, January 12, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Click on the award name to the right for forms and deadlines.
Apply to Be a Book Awards Judge
Judge applications are now closed.
The Minnesota Book Awards is committed to having a broad base of experience on judge panels. Judges are selected from across the state to include a diversity of professional experience, educational background, ethnicity, age, and gender. Previous judges are welcome to apply.
Application deadline: Friday, September 15, 2023, 5:00 p.m. CDT
Presenting Partner
Reader's Circle
Jack and Cindy Ulrich
Northern Lights Library Network
Public Funding
The year-round programs of the Minnesota Book Awards are made possible in part through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature to The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the Minnesota Center for the Book.