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.
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 13.
Submissions
Book submissions will be accepted August 13 - November 15.
Click here for more information.
Finalists
Finalists are announced at the end of January each year.
Winners
Winners will be announced at the 2025 Ceremony, April 22 at the Ordway.
Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony
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Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, April 22| Ordway Center for Performing Arts
345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
A celebration of the state’s best books at the 37th 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.
Watch the recording of last year's event here.
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 Submissions
Submissions are open! Please click here to submit a book.
Submission deadline: Friday, November 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CST
Other Submissions
Nominations for the Kay Sexton Award will open September 3, 2024.
Submission deadline: Friday, December 21, 5:00 p.m.
Nominations for the Book Artist Award will next be considered in 2025.
Submission deadline: n/a
Nominations for the Hognander Award will next be considered in 2025.
Submission deadline: n/a
Click on the award name to the right for forms and deadlines.
Apply to Be a Book Awards Judge
Click here to apply.
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 13, 2024, 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.