Graywolf Press

Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize
$12,000 and publication for the best literary nonficiton book.
http://www.writingspiritresources.com/2005/06/graywolf_press_.html

Submissions must arrive between September 1 and October 1, 2005.
Send full manuscript of 200 to 400 pages.
There is no entry fee.
Prize: $12,000 advance and publication in 2007.
Graywolf Press is pleased to announce the second annual Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. A $12,000 advance and publication by Graywolf in 2007 will be awarded to the best previously unpublished, full-length work of literary nonfiction by a writer not yet established in the genre. Robert Polito will serve as the judge.

“This prize seeks to acknowledge--and honor--the great traditions of literary nonfiction, extending from Robert Burton and Thomas Browne in the seventeenth century through Defoe and Strachey and on to James Baldwin, Joan Didion, and Jamaica Kincaid in our own time,” says Robert Polito. In looking for the winner, Polito goes on to say, “We seek the boldest and most innovative books from emerging nonfiction writers, although we define ‘emerging’ (no more than two published books) as lightly and flexibly as we define literary nonfiction. Whether grounded in observation, autobiography, or research, much of the most beautiful, daring, and original writing over the past few decades can be categorized as nonfiction. Submissions to the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize might span memoir, biography, or history--but it’s essential that they be finished books (no miscellaneous essay collections, sample chapters, or proposals).”

Guidelines

Graywolf Press is pleased to announce the second annual Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. A $12,000 advance and publication by Graywolf in 2007 will be awarded to the best previously unpublished, full-length work of literary nonfiction by a writer not yet established in the genre. Robert Polito will serve as the judge.

“This prize seeks to acknowledge – and honor – the great traditions of literary nonfiction, extending from Robert Burton and Thomas Browne in the seventeenth century through Defoe and Strachey and on to James Baldwin, Joan Didion, and Jamaica Kincaid in our own time,” says Robert Polito. In looking for the winner, Polito goes on to say, “We seek the boldest and most innovative books from emerging nonfiction writers, although we define ‘emerging’ (no more than two published books) as lightly and flexibly as we define literary nonfiction. Whether grounded in observation, autobiography, or research, much of the most beautiful, daring, and original writing over the past few decades can be categorized as nonfiction. Submissions to the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize might span memoir, biography, or history – but it’s essential that they be finished books (no miscellaneous essay collections, sample chapters, or proposals).”

Eligibility: Any writer who has not published more than two books of literary nonfiction (excluding academic work and books in other genres) and resides in the United States is eligible. We welcome submissions from previously unpublished writers. Collections of miscellaneous essays/prose are not eligible for the prize. We will consider one submission per person.

Timeline: Submissions must arrive in the Graywolf offices between September 1 and October 1, 2005. Please note that this is not a postmark deadline. The winner will be announced in January 2006 and published in February 2007.

Procedure: Please send one copy of the finished manuscript, along with a cover letter containing contact information and previous publication history to Graywolf Press, attention Nonfiction Prize. Manuscripts should contain 200-400 pages of text, in a standard 12-point font, double-spaced, and printed on one side of the page only. Please use only a rubber band or clip to bind your manuscript. We cannot consider electronic submissions. Please do not submit manuscripts or queries to the judge.

Notification: If you would like to be notified that your manuscript has been received, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard; for announcement of the winner, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot answer any queries about the status of manuscripts. Manuscripts will not be returned.

All decisions are final, and the judge cannot comment on individual submissions.
http://www.graywolfpress.org/Company_Info/Submission_Guidelines/Graywolf_Pres
s_Nonfiction_Prize_Submission_Guidelines//

Carole McDonnell
"If I've told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will it be when I tell you about heavenly things?" Let the weak say I'm strong. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.