The Oregon Book Awards: Frequently Asked Questions

Determining a book’s eligibility

What determines the “official publication date”?

The publisher usually establishes an official publication date. This is the date that the book becomes available for purchase, rather than the date that the contract was signed or the galleys were available.

May I send galleys instead of the finished book?

No.

May I enter my informational book?

Books that are predominantly informational, including how-tos, guidebooks, textbooks, recipe books and self-help books are not considered literary work and not eligible.

May I enter my coffeetable book?

Books that predominantly consist of illustrations, including map books, visual art or photography books, are not considered literary work and not eligible.

What if a picture-book illustrator is not an Oregonian?

The writer or publisher may still submit the book. Books in every category are judged for their writing, not design or illustration. Therefore, the Oregon Book Award is for the writer, and not the illustrator.

Determining a category for a book

Is my book “general nonfiction” or “creative nonfiction”?

Generally speaking, “general nonfiction” is written in the third person and includes biography, criticism and science writing. “Creative nonfiction” is often written in the first person and is usually a story filtered through the author. Memoir and personal essay are typically included in this category. It is up to the author or publisher to decide the most appropriate category for the book.

Is my book “children’s literature” or “young adult literature”?

Generally speaking, “children’s literature” is picture books written for non-readers or beginning readers. “Young adult literature” is novels and other work aimed at older children and teenagers. It is up to the author or publisher to decide the most appropriate category for the book.

May I enter my book in two categories?

No.

The Judging Process

Why is there an entry fee?

We charge an entry fee in order to offset the cost of the Oregon Book Awards program. We have devised a sliding scale in order to minimize the impact of this fee on small publishers, based on initial print run:

2,000 or fewer copies = $25
2,000 to 4,999 = $35
5,000 or more = $50

Why is the Drama award biennial?

The drama award typically receives relatively few submissions. In light of this, the Oregon Book Awards advisory committee decided a few years ago to offer the Drama award biennally, to increase the rigor and value of the award.

Are the entries screened before they are sent to the judges?

Literary Arts does not pre-screen books that are submitted for the Oregon Book Awards. All of the books submitted are sent to the judge in each genre.

Who are this year’s judges?

The judges’ identities remain confidential until the finalists are announced in October.

Who can I contact if I still have questions?

We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have. For more information. please contact Susan Denning at Literary Arts at 503.227.2583 or susan@literary-arts.org.