We love seeing which books are given book awards throughout the year, and so we’ve put together a calendar of 2026 award dates for the major book awards for literary and genre fiction.
JANUARY
26 – American Library Association Youth Awards Winners. These awards recognize the top books, digital media, video and audio books for children and young adults.
26 – Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction
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- 14 – The Story Prize Finalists
- 20 – National Book Critic’s Circle Finalists
- 20 – Edgar Awards Nominees
- 26 – Bram Stoker Awards Preliminary Ballot
- 29 – Audie Awards Finalists
February
March
2 – Audie Awards Winners. Honor excellence in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment.
26 – National Book Critics Circle Awards Winners. Honors outstanding writing and fosters a national conversation about reading, criticism, and literature.
31 – The Story Prize Winner. Recognizing the best short story collection.
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- 11 – Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist
- 31 – International Booker Prize Shortlist
- Nebula Awards Final Ballot
- British Book Awards Shortlist
- Hugo Award Finalists
April
29 – Edgar Award Winners. Recognizing the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television.
May
4 – Pulitzer Prize Fiction Winner and Finalists. For distinguished fiction published during the year by an American author, preferably dealing with American life.
11 – British Book Awards Winners. Also known as “the Nibbies” these awards celebrate books and the people who make them.
19 – International Booker Prize Winner. Honoring the best work of fiction translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland.
30 – Locus Award Winners. Recognizes excellence in science fiction and fantasy literature and works.
June
6 – Nebula Award Winners. For outstanding science fiction and fantasy.
7 – Bram Stoker Award Winners. Recognizing superior achievement in dark fantasy and horror writing.
11 – Women’s Prize for Fiction and Nonfiction Winners.
July
- 28 – Booker Prize Longlist
- World Fantasy Award Finalists
August
Hugo Award Winners. For excellence in science fiction and fantasy literature and media.
- 27 – Kirkus Prize Finalists
Sept
- Booker Prize Shortlist
- National Book Awards Longlist
October
8 – Nobel Prize in Literature. Awarded to authors for outstanding, “idealistic” literary contributions across any genre.
8 – Kirkus Prize Winners. For outstanding fiction, nonfiction, and young readers’ literature
Booker Prize Winner. For the best sustained work of fiction written in English and published in the UK and Ireland.
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- Giller Prize Shortlist
- 6 – National Book Awards Finalists
November
18 – National Book Awards Winners. Honors the best works in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature.
World Fantasy Award Winners. For the best fantasy fiction, art, and professional achievements.
Giller Prize Winners. Honors excellence in Canadian fiction.
I’ll keep this list updated as announcements roll out, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back throughout 2026 as we celebrate another incredible year in books.
