The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library kicks off the 29th season of the Minnesota Book Awards.
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of the 29th season of the Minnesota Book Awards with the opening of submissions for books published in 2016. The year-round Book Awards program celebrates the best in Minnesota literature with nine book categories, two special awards, statewide author programming, and a stunning annual Awards Ceremony which draws an average of 900 attendees to Saint Paul each April.
The Friends has been proud to lead the Book Awards during the last 10 years and, to celebrate a decade at the helm of the program, one long-awaited category change is being announced—the division of Young People’s Literature into Middle Grade and Young Adult Literature. Prior to this shift, books for all young readers—ranging in age from elementary students to high school seniors—were judged together as part of one single category. This new split reflects the vibrant community of youth authors and readers in the state and will bring more exceptional books for young audiences to the forefront in Minnesota and beyond.
The nine categories for the 29th annual Book Awards include: Children’s Literature, General Nonfiction, Genre Fiction, Memoir & Creative Nonfiction, Middle Grade Literature, Minnesota Nonfiction, Novel & Short Story, Poetry, and Young Adult Literature. To be eligible, all books must be the work of a Minnesota author or primary artistic creator and must have a 2016 copyright. Authors, publishers, and agents are eligible to submit a book by completing the online form, submitting five copies of the book, and paying a $45 entry fee. Eligibility and entry guidelines are available at thefriends.org/submit. Submissions close at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2016.
Finalists in all nine categories will be announced on January 28, 2017. Winners will be announced at the 29th annual Minnesota Books Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Saint Paul.
Nominations are also being accepted for two special awards: the Minnesota Book Artist Award, recognizing an outstanding new work in the book arts created during the last year; and the Kay Sexton Award, presented annually to an individual or organization in recognition of longstanding dedication and outstanding work in fostering books, reading, and literary activity in Minnesota.
For additional information, contact Bailey Veesenmeyer, Program Coordinator, at 651-366-6497 or [email protected]