About the Minnesota Book Awards

The 38th annual Minnesota Book Awards season kicks off August 11 with the opening of submissions for books published in 2025.

Books are reviewed in a two-part process by 54 qualified judges from around the state. The preliminary round judges (three in each category) begin reviewing the submitted books in September and come together in late January to determine the four finalists in each category.

In February, a new set of judges reviews the finalist books and convenes in early March to determine the category winners. All winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony in Spring 2026.

The 2026 Minnesota Book Award includes:

• $500 cash prize
• Minnesota Book Award glass sculpture and recognition at the Awards Ceremony
• Opportunities for programs and exhibits at Minnesota libraries
• Statewide publicity surrounding announcement of the Minnesota Book Awards
• Branded promotional materials for all winners and finalists

Please direct all questions to David Katz.
[email protected] / 651-366-6492.

All books must:

• Be the work of a Minnesota author or primary artistic creator (must maintain year-round resident status in the state as defined by the Department of Revenue).
• Have a 2025 copyright
• Have a valid ISBN

Books by writing or creative teams are eligible if at least one member is a current Minnesota resident. Note, however, that only Minnesota residents are eligible to win the award. Co-authors or illustrators of eligible books who do not live in the state will not be presented with an award should the book be selected as a winner.

Books written by deceased authors will be accepted only if the author was still living at the commencement of the eligibility year (January 1, 2025).

Self-published books are accepted, provided that they meet all eligibility requirements.

The following are NOT eligible:

• Advance reading copies and galleys. If a book’s 2025 release date is after the submission deadline, the author or publisher must contact The Friends prior to November 14, 2025 to discuss a submission plan.
• Books by deceased authors who were not living at the commencement of the eligibility year (January 1, 2025).
• Books containing previously published material UNLESS at least 50% of the book’s content is new (further documentation will be required).
• Books originally written in languages other than English
• E-books
• Plays or screenplays
• Reprints of books originally published in another year (including print versions of previously published e-books)
• Books written by staff or trustees of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

AI Statement: Submitted books must be human-authored. We do not accept works that are written or illustrated fully or partially by A.I./LLM engines or services (i.e. ChatGPT, Jasper, Sudowrite). This includes translations. Submitted works found to be in violation will be removed from the contest without a refund.

The final decision on a book’s eligibility is made by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, and this decision will be binding.

Please read eligibility requirements carefully. Refunds will not be processed for ineligible books. 

• Anthology (celebrated every other year - next 2027): a collection of works focused on a particular subject or idea, compiled by an editor
• Children’s Literature: picture book for young children (authors and illustrators are both eligible in this category)
• General Nonfiction: book of nonfiction, including, but not limited to, history, biography, science, nature, and cookbooks
• Genre Fiction: a book of fiction written in a popular genre or style, including mystery, detective, fantasy, romance, and science fiction
• Memoir & Creative Nonfiction: primarily autobiographical book of nonfiction, or book with a significant amount of personal material and/or imaginative reworking
• Middle Grade Literature: a book written for a middle grade audience, generally ages 8-12 (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels are eligible)
• Minnesota Nonfiction: a book of nonfiction with a topic on Minnesota history, nature, social customs, or nostalgia
• Novel & Short Story: a novel, novella, or short story collection
• Poetry: a book-length single poem or collection of poetry (minimum of 30 pages in length)
• Young Adult Literature: a book written for a teen audience (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels are eligible)

Books may be submitted in only one category. The final decision on a book’s category placement will be determined by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library.

• A complete online entry form for each title submitted
• A submission fee of $45 per entry (payable by credit/debit card or check)
• Six (6) copies of each submitted title

Checks should be made payable to “The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library.”

Publishers submitting more than four books are eligible to receive a discount beginning with the fifth book. (First four books: $45 each / All books after that: $20 each). Click here for the submission for 5+ books.

Deadline: The submission form, entry fee, and book copies must be received by the deadline: Friday, November 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. If your book will not be released in time for the November 15 deadline, please contact us to work out a submission plan.

Send Books To: The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, attn: Minnesota Book Awards, 2610 University Ave. W, Suite 530 St. Paul, MN 55114

In-Person Drop-offs: In-person drop-offs are accepted with advance notice. Send an email to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to your intended visit so that we can share building access and package drop-off instructions.

Contact: Please contact David Katz with questions regarding eligibility, category placement, or the submission process. Email: [email protected] / Phone: 651-366-6492.

Please note: Copies of submitted books become the property of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and will be donated to libraries in communities across Minnesota following the judging process.

Disclaimer: Members of the staff and current Board of Trustees of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library are not eligible to submit books, serve as judges, or receive any other recognition by the Minnesota Book Awards.

Needs-Based Fee Waiver:
Publishing is one of many spheres of influence where the voices we hear do not always reflect the diversity in backgrounds and points of view found in our communities. This is a long-standing and multifaceted problem, and one that cannot be reversed by any one organization. Instead, it is incumbent on everyone operating in this space to do what is in their power to ensure that historically marginalized voices are heard and celebrated.

As one means toward this end, the Minnesota Book Awards offers a needs-based fee waiver option for authors. We recognize that a $45 fee is a significant barrier for some Minnesota writers. If this describes you, you may opt out of this requirement – no questions asked. Additional details on this option will be provided towards the end of the submission form.

Notes: Only author-submitters are eligible for the waiver. As always, publicists and agents are welcome and encouraged to submit books; however, the $45 entry fee is still required in such cases.

Please also note that, even if you take advantage of the waiver opportunity, the program still requires six (6) physical copies of each book entered into consideration. This stipulation is nonnegotiable.

Eligibility

I am a Minnesota native but currently reside in another state for my job. I still visit several times per year and consider Minnesota my home. Am I eligible for the Minnesota Book Awards?

Unfortunately, our eligibility criteria require that the author maintain a year-round, legal residence in Minnesota. We appreciate your interest, but cannot accept books from individuals who do not live in the state.

I was living in Minnesota while writing my book, but moved to another state shortly after it was published. Can I still submit?

Yes, if you were still living in Minnesota at the commencement of the eligibility year (January 1), but relocated prior to the submission deadline, the book is considered eligible. Please explain the situation when submitting your entry.

My book will not be released in time for the submission deadline. Can I still submit it this year?

Yes. If the book will be available by December 31, we can make arrangements for a late submission. Please email [email protected] to discuss a submission plan.

My book has a printed 2026 copyright date, but will be released by the end of 2025. Can I submit it this year?

Yes. If the book will be available to the public by the end of 2025, we will accept it this year.

My publishing company has a new book of previously unpublished material written by a deceased author. Can you tell me if this will be eligible?

Unfortunately, we are only able to accept books under these circumstances if the author was living at the commencement of the eligibility year (January 1) and met all other eligibility requirements at that time. If the author passed away prior to January 1, we are unable to accept the book.

I’d like to submit a book written by a team of three authors. I know anthologies are a separate award, but are there any restrictions for author teams?

Books written by teams of authors who collaboratively created all content are considered eligible if at least one member of the team is a Minnesota resident.

Wait, anthologies are a separate award? What's the story?

Anthologies compiled by an editor with separate, credited sections written by different individuals are included every other year and are not  eligible within their corresponding category. We will accept anthologies released in 2025 as part of the 2026 submission cycle for recognition in 2027. 

Submission Process

My publisher has agreed to submit my book for consideration. How can I confirm that you have received the entry?

As submissions are completed and processed, we’ll add them to our website. Please check there weekly to verify your submission. You are also welcome to email [email protected] if you are concerned about the status of your entry.

What happens to the six copies of each submitted book at the end of the selection process?

The majority of submitted books are donated to Minnesota communities in the month following the Awards Ceremony. Some copies of the finalist and winning books are loaned to libraries and used for promotional purposes by the Minnesota Book Awards.

Why is there a $45 fee to submit a book?

Up to four staff members of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library are involved in the processing of each book submission. The $45 fee primarily defrays the cost of staff resources and also covers the shipping costs incurred in the distribution of books to the judges.

Needs-Based Fee Waiver:
Publishing is one of many spheres of influence where the voices we hear do not always reflect the diversity in backgrounds and points of view found in our communities. This is a long-standing and multifaceted problem, and one that cannot be reversed by any one organization. Instead, it is incumbent on everyone operating in this space to do what is in their power to ensure that historically marginalized voices are heard and celebrated.

As one means toward this end, the Minnesota Book Awards is introducing a needs-based fee waiver option for authors. We recognize that a $45 fee is a significant barrier for some Minnesota writers. If this describes you, you may opt out of this requirement – no questions asked. Additional details on this option will be provided towards the end of the submission form.

Notes: Only author-submitters are eligible for the waiver. As always, publicists and agents are welcome and encouraged to submit books; however, the $45 entry fee is still required in such cases.

Please also note that, even if you take advantage of the waiver opportunity, the program still requires six (6) physical copies of each book entered into consideration. This stipulation is nonnegotiable.

Judging

Who judges the books submitted each year?

A total of 54 judges are selected from a large pool of qualified applicants each year by staff of the Minnesota Book Awards. Three judges are assigned to each category in both the preliminary and final rounds with an effort to represent the greatest possible diversity in professional background, education, ethnicity, age, gender, and location of residence in the state. All judges must have professional experience, volunteer experience, or in-depth knowledge related to the category to which they are assigned and may include authors, publishers, booksellers, educators, librarians, etc. Please visit our judging section for more information.

Could you explain the judging process?

All submitted books are first screened by staff of the Minnesota Book Awards to confirm eligibility and to ensure appropriate category placement.

Once books have passed the screening process, they are distributed to the preliminary round judges for review. A total of 27 qualified judges (three in each category) review all of the books submitted in their assigned category over the course of a four-month reading period. At the end of January, the judges meet via videoconference to select the four finalists in each category.

Following the finalist announcement, the three final round judges in each category receive the books selected in January and spend approximately one month reviewing these titles. The judges then meet via videoconference in early March to determine the winners. Winning titles are kept confidential until the Awards Ceremony in May.