Top Literary Awards and Writing Contests for Authors of Color in 2025
- Nov 29, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 7
Authors of color have long enriched the literary world with stories that illuminate diverse cultures, histories, and lived experiences. Their narratives challenge societal boundaries, inspire change, and deepen our understanding of the human condition. Yet, despite their profound impact, authors of color often face systemic barriers that limit their access to publishing opportunities, critical recognition, and career-sustaining resources.
These challenges are reflected in industry statistics. While nearly 40% of the U.S. population consists of people of color, only 7% of books published by major publishing houses are authored by them, according to Lee & Low Books. Even when they break through, books by authors of color have a 40% lower chance of being reviewed by major literary outlets than books by white authors. In response to these barriers, many have turned to self-publishing, with some estimates suggesting that 30-40% of self-published authors identify as people of color.
Recognizing and celebrating these voices is not just an act of acknowledgment—it’s a vital step toward reshaping the literary landscape into a more equitable and inclusive space. Literary awards and competitions dedicated to authors of color play a crucial role in this effort. They provide financial support, industry visibility, and cultural validation, ensuring that stories that might otherwise go unheard reach a wider audience.
By honoring creative excellence and amplifying underrepresented voices, these awards help to break down industry barriers and promote lasting change in publishing. Here are some of the top literary awards and competitions that celebrate, reward, and elevate exceptional talent, making space for stories that matter.
Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Literary Awards
Website: bcala.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Debut Novels
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in February, submission deadlines at the end of December each year
Prize Amount: $1,000 cash prize and a commemorative plaque
The BCALA honors African American authors in multiple categories, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and debut novels. Winners receive $1,000, a commemorative plaque, and media promotion. Past winners include Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me) and Tracy K. Smith (Ordinary Light).
For a comprehensive list of recent winners of the BCALA Literary Awards, continue reading: Celebrating Excellence: Highlights from the Last Five Years of BCALA Literary Award Winners.
National Book Award for Fiction (Category: Translated Literature and Young People’s Literature)
Website: nationalbook.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in November, submissions open in March
Prize Amount: $10,000 cash prize and a bronze medal
Awarded by the National Book Foundation, this prestigious prize recognizes works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translated literature. The winner receives $10,000 and a bronze medal. Authors of color have frequently been celebrated, with winners including Jesmyn Ward (Sing, Unburied, Sing) and Ibram X. Kendi (Stamped from the Beginning).
PEN Open Book Award
Website: pen.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in Spring, submission deadlines in August
Prize Amount: $10,000 cash prize
Presented by PEN America, this award celebrates books by authors of color whose works address issues of identity, race, and multiculturalism. Winners receive $10,000 and a feature at the annual PEN Literary Awards ceremony. Past recipients include Ocean Vuong (On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous) and Yaa Gyasi (Homegoing).
Hurston/Wright Legacy Awards
Website: hurstonwright.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Award Dates/Deadlines: Awards in October, submission deadlines in March
Prize Amount: Commemorative plaque and national recognition
Named after literary giants Zora Neale Hurston and Richard Wright, these awards celebrate Black writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Winners receive a commemorative plaque and national recognition. Past honorees include Colson Whitehead (The Underground Railroad) and Jacqueline Woodson (Another Brooklyn).
The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Website: anisfield-wolf.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in September; submissions open in January
Prize Amount: $10,000 cash prize and a commemorative medal
This prestigious award recognizes books that address racism and diversity. Winners receive $10,000 and a commemorative medal. Celebrated authors include Toni Morrison (Beloved) and Isabel Wilkerson (Caste).
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature
Website: apalaweb.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Children's Literature
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in January, submissions due in September
Prize Amount: Commemorative award and feature in APALA’s annual celebration
Sponsored by the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), this award recognizes literature that promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage. Winners receive a commemorative award and feature in the APALA annual celebration. Honorees include Celeste Ng (Everything I Never Told You) and Ruth Ozeki (A Tale for the Time Being).
Lambda Literary Awards (Lammys)
Website: lambdaliterary.org
Genres: LGBTQ+ Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in June, submissions due in November
Prize Amount: Commemorative plaque and national recognition
While not exclusively for authors of color, the Lammys honor LGBTQ+ literature and frequently recognize queer authors of color whose works explore themes of identity, race, and belonging. Winners receive a commemorative plaque and national recognition. Notable recipients include Carmen Maria Machado (Her Body and Other Parties) and Danez Smith (Don't Call Us Dead).
American Indian Youth Literature Awards
Website: ailanet.org
Genres: Children’s, Middle Grade, Young Adult
Award Dates/Deadlines: Biennial ceremony in January, submission deadlines in September
Prize Amount: Commemorative medal and national recognition
This award is presented by the American Indian Library Association (AILA) and honors exceptional works by and about Native Americans. Winners receive a commemorative medal and national recognition. Past winners include Cynthia Leitich Smith and Eric Gansworth.
The International Latino Book Awards
Website: lbawards.org
Genres: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Children's
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in September, submissions due in May
Prize Amount: Medals, cash prizes, and promotional features
The largest Latino literary awards in the U.S., these prizes celebrate books by and about Latinx authors. Winners receive medals, cash prizes, and promotional features. Previous winners include Sandra Cisneros (The House on Mango Street) and Julia Alvarez (In the Time of the Butterflies).
Cave Canem Poetry Prize
Website: cavecanempoets.org
Genres: Poetry
Award Dates/Deadlines: Annual ceremony in October, submissions due in April
Prize Amount: $1,000 and a book publication contract
Dedicated to emerging Black poets, this award has launched the careers of several influential poets. The winner receives a book publication contract, a $1,000 cash prize, and extensive literary promotion. Honorees include Tracy K. Smith and Natalie Diaz (Postcolonial Love Poem).
Why These Awards Matter
These literary awards serve as powerful platforms that amplify the voices of marginalized individuals, open doors to publishing opportunities, and inspire future generations of writers. By celebrating authors of color, these competitions challenge industry norms, push the boundaries of literature, and enrich the world’s cultural narrative. If you’re an author of color seeking opportunities or a reader passionate about diverse storytelling, these awards are essential in building a more inclusive and representative literary landscape.
Know of Other Literary Awards or Agencies Championing Diverse Authors?
We’re always looking to highlight more opportunities to uplift underrepresented publishing voices. The disparities in the industry are clear—authors of color often receive lower book advances, face limited marketing and visibility, and see fewer of their stories in mainstream categories.
The #PublishingPaidMe movement exposed striking inequalities in the industry, revealing that bestselling Black authors have received advances as low as $5,000, while lesser-known white authors have secured six-figure deals. Marketing strategies further deepen the divide, as Lee & Low Books has reported that books by authors of color are frequently categorized as “niche” or “multicultural” rather than being promoted as mainstream fiction, limiting their reach and potential audience. This lack of visibility starts early. According to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, only 29% of children's books published in 2022 featured a protagonist who was Black, Indigenous, or a person of color, highlighting the persistent gap in representation.
If you know of a literary award, grant, or agency dedicated to supporting diverse authors, drop us a note in the comments! Your recommendation could help amplify stories that deserve to be heard and ensure that more authors get the recognition and support they need.
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