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 in this 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; the successor to the Mayflower Cup, which in turn was successor to the Patterson Cup (Read more about this award here.)
- 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
Beginning with the 2025 award, the AAUW of NC has agreed that judges may select 2 wiinners, one in children’s literature and one in young adult literature.
NEW DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: JULY 1
Award Eligibility
For a book to be eligible for consideration for these competitions:
- Nominations must be made (via the form below) by July 1.
- 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, 2024, and June 30, 2025, for the 2025 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, postmarked no later than July 1 of the year for which the award is given. (The submission period for the 2025 book awards is now open.)
- Please keep a receipt noting the postmark date. If your package does not arrive, we will request proof of mailing by July 1 to allow you to send a replacement package.
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 below.
Each book can only be nominated for a single award.
2. Send 3 copies of the book postmarked no later than July 1 to:
North Carolina Literary Review Editor
RE: NC Book Awards
ECU Mailstop 555 English
1000 E. Fifth St.
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Please send early enough to ensure RECEIPT BY July 15 to help us get the book packages out to judges quickly.
3. Receipt of books will be acknowledged by NCLR staff.
Email NCLRStaff@ECU.edu if you do not receive notification of receipt within a month of sending book package (in July, within 1 week).
North Carolina Literary Review
East Carolina University
Mailstop 555 English | Greenville, NC 27858-4353
NCLRstaff@ecu.edu | 252-328-1537