The Florida Book Awards announces its 2021 competition for the best Florida literature and a new award, The Gerald Ensley Award for Developing Writers.
Established in 2006, the Florida Book Awards has grown to include awards in 11 categories of books, plus a new award established in honor of the late journalist Gerald Ensley, who mentored many new writers.
Coordinated by the Florida State University Libraries, the Florida Book Awards is the nation’s most comprehensive state book awards program, established to recognize and celebrate the best literature by Florida authors and books about Florida published each year. Authors must be full-time Florida residents, except in the Florida Nonfiction, Visual Arts and Cooking categories, where the subject matter must focus on Florida.
Books may be submitted by authors, publishers or members of the public in any of 11 categories: Cooking, Florida Nonfiction, General Fiction, General Nonfiction, Older Children’s Literature, Poetry, Popular Fiction, Spanish Language, Visual Arts, Young Adult Literature and Younger Children’s Literature. Descriptions of these categories and instructions for submitting nominations are available at floridabookawards.org. All books nominated must have a 2021 copyright date and an ISBN number.
Entries must be received no later than Jan. 13, 2022, but applicants are encouraged to submit their books into competition early during the submission period, and as soon as possible after their books are officially published. Winners will be announced the first week in March 2022.
In addition to the 2021 book competition, a new award, The Gerald Ensley Award for Developing Writers, aims to recognize a writer who has shown exceptional talent and the potential for continued literary success and significance in the future. Nominees must be Florida residents who have published at least one book, but no more than two, in any of the Florida Book Awards categories and exhibit demonstrated ability and promise for continued growth. The award is accompanied by a $1,000 prize. Nominations for this award are due by Dec. 31, 2021. Instructions for nominating a writer are listed at https://www.floridabookawards.org/ensley-award.
Learn more about the Florida Book Awards at www.floridabookawards.org.