Prize Information - General
The Grub Street Book Prize is awarded once annually to an American writer outside New England publishing his or her second, third, fourth (or beyond...) book. First books are not eligible. Writers whose primary residence is Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut or Rhode Island are also not eligible.
Each winner receives a cash award of $5,000.
The winner will read from his/her work at a reception in downtown Boston on a mutually agreeable date and time. All travel and accommodation expenses will be paid by Grub Street. The reading and party are co-sponsored by a local independent bookstore, which will sell books at the event. Fiction and Non-Fiction writers are also invited to present as guest authors at the "Muse and the Marketplace" literary conference.
During the winner’s stay, s/he will also lead a 2-hour craft class on a topic of his or her choice for a small group of Grub Street members.
Though Grub Street's top criterion is the overall literary merit of the work submitted, the award committee especially encourages writers publishing with small presses, writers of short story collections, and writers of color to apply. We also want the award to benefit writers for whom a trip to Boston will likely expand their readership in a meaningful way.
Submission Guidelines – Fiction Prize 2012
Postmark Deadline: November 1, 2011
Application requirements:
(1) Two copies of the author's most recent or upcoming book, in bound galleys or final form, published between January 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012. (Important: the hardcover or paperback original must be available to booksellers by May 1, 2012. Books available only in electronic form are not eligible. Self-published books are not eligible. Paperbacks are not eligible if hardcover was published before 2011.)
(2) Curriculum vitae
(3) 500-word synopsis of the proposed craft class
(4) $30 tax-deductible donation/reading fee** made out to Grub Street, Inc.
**If the book is published by a press with annual sales under $5 million, the submission fee is waived.
(5) Send all materials to Grub Street Book Prize in Fiction; 160 Boylston Street #4, Boston, MA 02116
Other Important Information about the 2012 Fiction Prize
(1) The winner will be asked to be in Boston for the following schedule. Inability to attend these events may result in forfeiture of the prize.
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 6:30PM – 8:30PM: Craft class for Grub Street members, held at Grub Street.
Friday, May 4th, 2012 7:00PM – 9:00PM: Reading and Reception at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Winner will be asked to read for 20-30 minutes and take a few questions. A reception will follow. This reading and reception will be the kick-off event for the 2012 Muse and the Marketplace Literary Conference.
Saturday, May 5th, 2012: Winner will be asked to reprise the craft class at the Muse and the Marketplace conference. Exact time TBA.
(2) Publishers may submit books on behalf of authors, but applications must include all materials above in order to be eligible.
(3) The terms of this prize -- specifically, the entry fee of $10-- changed in September 2011, but if you submitted under the previous terms, you will still be eligible to win. If we received your submission with the $10 fee before September 20th, 2011, your submission will still be eligible.
For more information about Grub Street and this year's Book Award, call 617.695.0075 or send an email to info@grubstreet.org. Please send all postal mail applications and inquiries to 160 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.