Beginning in 2024, NCLR administers the prestigious North Carolina Book Awards for the North Carolina Literary & Historical Association.
These annual awards recognize the best book by a North Carolina writer in four categories:
- Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction,
(est. 1953) in recognition of the most significant work of original fiction writing published over the course of the last year by a North Carolina author; co-sponsored by the Historical Book Club of North Carolina
No self-/subsidy-published works allowed int his category.
- Ragan Old North State Award for Nonfiction
(est. 2003) for achievement in nonfiction, this award honors Sam Ragan, poet, critic, publisher, and the first secretary of the present North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; it is the successor to the Mayflower Cup, which in turn was successor to the Patterson Cup
- Roanoke-Chowan Award for Poetry
(est. 1953) in recognition of the most significant work of original poetry published over the course of the last year by a North Carolina poet; sponsored by the Roanoke-Chowan Group of Writers and Allied Artists
- American Association of University Women of NC
Young People’s Literature Award
(est. 1953) in recognition of the most significant work of original literature for young readers published over the course of the last year by a North Carolina author
Award Eligibility
For a book to be eligible for consideration for these competitions:
- It must be an original book published during the 12 months ending June 30 of the year for which the award is given (between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, for the 2024 awards cycle);
- Its author(s) must have maintained legal or physical residence, or a combination of both, in North Carolina for the three years preceding the close of the contest period; and
- Three (3) copies of each entry must be submitted to the Editor of the North Carolina Literary Review no later than July 15 of the year for which the award is given. (The submission period for the 2024 book awards is now open.)
In reaching a decision, members of each panel of judges will consider creative and imaginative quality, excellence of style, the universality of appeal, and relevance to North Carolina and her people.
For the Ragan Old North State Award, the extent to which the author has covered the subject, made use of all available source materials, given a well-balanced presentation, and accomplished the purpose the author set out to achieve will also be considered. Technical and scientific works are not eligible. All works will be judged without regard to length.
In the fiction category (the Sir Walter Raleigh Award), self- and subsidy-published works will not be considered.
Find more information about the North Carolina Book Awards, including a listing of past winners, on the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association website.
Instructions for Award Nominations and Book Submissions
1. Nominate a book by completing the form on this page.
2. Wait for an email reply from
NCLRStaff@ecu.edu.
3. Send 3 copies of the book to reach our offices NO LATER THAN July 15 to:
North Carolina Literary Review Editor
RE: NC Book Awards
ECU Mailstop 555 English
1000 E. Fifth St.
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
North Carolina Literary Review
East Carolina University
Mailstop 555 English | Greenville, NC 27858-4353
NCLRstaff@ecu.edu | 252-328-1537