The Aspen Words Literary Prize: Honoring Fiction That Drives Social Change
- For The Writers | Official
- Dec 30, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 16
The Aspen Words Literary Prize (AWLP) stands as one of the most respected and socially conscious literary honors in the United States. Awarded annually, the prize celebrates fiction that doesn’t just entertain, but elevates, informs, and challenges. With a generous $35,000 award, the prize honors an extraordinary work of fiction that grapples with urgent contemporary issues, showcasing literature’s unique ability to spark dialogue, shift perspectives, and inspire cultural and political transformation.
Since its inception, the AWLP has recognized authors whose stories not only exhibit exceptional literary craft but also shed light on some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including systemic injustice, racial inequality, climate change, migration, and gender-based violence. It’s a prize for storytellers who believe that fiction can be a force for good, and who write accordingly.
The Aspen Words Literary Prize is Distinctive for Purpose-Driven Fiction
What sets the Aspen Words Literary Prize apart is its unwavering commitment to fiction as a vehicle for social impact. Open to authors of any nationality whose works are published in English in the United States, the award accepts novels and short story collections that engage deeply with themes such as injustice, identity, displacement, environmental crisis, and faith.
