Minnesota Book Awards

Geographic Scope: Minnesota (authors must maintain year-round resident status in Minnesota)

The 38th annual Minnesota Book Awards is a year-long program that connects readers and writers throughout Minnesota with the stories of our neighbors. The process begins in the fall with book submissions and continues through winter with two rounds of judging. Winners are announced at the annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony each spring.

Award Details:

• Prize: $500 cash prize per winner
• Recognition: Minnesota Book Award glass sculpture and recognition at the Awards Ceremony
• Additional Benefits: Opportunities for programs and exhibits at Minnesota libraries; Statewide publicity surrounding announcement; Branded promotional materials for all winners and finalists

Categories:

• Anthology (celebrated every other year - next 2027)
• Children's Literature
• General Nonfiction
• Genre Fiction
• Memoir & Creative Nonfiction
• Middle Grade Literature
• Minnesota Nonfiction
• Novel & Short Story
• Poetry
• Young Adult Literature

Eligibility Requirements:
All books must:

• Be the work of a Minnesota author or primary artistic creator (must maintain year-round resident status)
• Have a 2025 copyright (for current cycle)
• Have a valid ISBN
• Be human-authored (no AI-generated or AI-illustrated works)

Books by writing or creative teams are eligible if at least one member is a Minnesota resident, though only Minnesota residents are eligible to win the award.

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).

NOT Eligible:

• Advance reading copies and galleys
• Books by deceased authors who were not living at the commencement of the eligibility year
• Books containing previously published material (unless at least 50% is new content)
• Books originally written in languages other than English
• E-books
• Plays or screenplays
• Reprints of books originally published in another year
• Books written or illustrated fully or partially by AI/LLM engines
• Books by staff or trustees of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 651-366-6492
• Contact: David Katz

Submission Requirements

1. Online Entry Form: Complete a full online entry form for each title submitted
2. Submission Fee: $45 per entry (payable by credit/debit card or check)
   • Publisher Discount: Publishers submitting more than four books receive a discount beginning with the fifth book (First four books: $45 each / All books after that: $20 each)
   • Needs-Based Fee Waiver: Available for author-submitters who face financial barriers (no questions asked). Note: Physical copies (6) are still required.
3. Physical Copies: Six (6) copies of each submitted title
4. Check Payment: Make checks payable to "The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library"

Submission Process

1. Complete the online entry form at the submission portal
2. Pay the $45 submission fee (or $20 if eligible for publisher discount)
3. Mail or drop off six (6) physical copies of the book 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 for building access and package drop-off instructions.

Deadline

Friday, November 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (submission form, entry fee, and book copies must be received)

If your book will not be released in time for the November 15 deadline, contact [email protected] to work out a submission plan.

Post-Submission

As submissions are completed and processed, they are added to the website. Check weekly to verify your submission status, or email [email protected] if concerned about the status of your entry.

What Happens to Submitted Books

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.

Judging Process

Two-Round Judging System:

1. Preliminary Round (September): Three judges review submitted books in each category
2. Finalist Determination (Late January): Preliminary judges convene to determine four finalists in each category
3. Final Round (February): New set of judges reviews finalist books
4. Winner Determination (Early March): Final judges convene to determine category winners

Timeline:

• Summer: Season begins
• August: Submissions open
• September: Preliminary judging begins
• Late January: Finalists announced
• February: Final round judging
• Early March: Winners determined
• Spring 2026: Annual Awards Ceremony (May 6, 2026)