Current Process
National Book Awards are currently given to one book (author) annually in each of four categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people's literature. There have been awards in many other categories but they have been retired or subsumed in the current four. The National Book Foundation also presents two lifetime achievement awards each year: the "Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters" and the "Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community".
Only publishers nominate books for the NBAs but panelists may request particular nominations from publishers. Each panel comprises five "writers who are known to be doing great work in their genre or field" and publicity emphasizes awards "by writers to writers" in contrast to the 1980 to 1987 American Book Awards.
Each panel considers hundreds of books per category each year, 148 (poetry) to 435 (nonfiction) for the 2010 awards. Five finalists per category are announced in October; panel chairs announce the winners and present the awards at the "National Book Awards Ceremony and Dinner" held in New York City each November. All finalists get $1,000, a medal, and a citation written by the panel; winners gets $10,000 and a bronze sculpture.
The Foundation has created "National Book Awards Week" which culminates in the public awards ceremony. The Week begins with "5 Under 35", which spotlights emerging young fiction writers selected and introduced by authors of NBA finalists. It includes book readings by the finalists, a private medal ceremony, and more.
Read more about this topic: National Book Award
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