The Stonewall Book Awards of the American Library Association are given annually to English-language books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience. The awards are given to works published in the United States in the previous calendar year, although works published elsewhere may be considered. Re-printings of previously published books will not be considered. Substantially changed new editions of previously published works and English translations of foreign-language books are eligible for the awards.
The Book Award Committees announce the winners at the American Library Association (ALA) LibLearnX (LLX), usually held in January. The awards, which consist of a commemorative plaque and a cash award of $1000, are presented to the winning authors or editors at the ALA Annual Conference, held in June or July. Honor authors receive a certificate and no cash award.
Anyone may suggest a title to the appropriate committee for consideration. However, the publisher of a proposed title, agents or representatives of the author, or anyone else who may stand to gain directly from the nomination of the book should disclose this information via the online form. All suggestions must be submitted by the deadline of December 1st. Books themselves must also be received by December 1st. If a book will be published after December 1st but before December 31st, the committee may accept a galley copy or an ebook. The deadline to receive the completed Author and Publication Information Verification form is December 31st.
Awards are made in three categories: adult literature, adult nonfiction and children's and young adult literature. The adult literature category encompasses novels, short stories, poetry, and drama. The adult nonfiction category includes biography, history, criticism, reference works, fine arts, and other traditional nonfiction genres. Anthologies comprised of both nonfiction and literary pieces will be categorized by whichever form predominates. The children’s and young adult literature includes both fiction and non-fiction.
Suggest a title to the appropriate Stonewall Book Awards Committee
Questions?
For information regarding the Stonewall Book Awards (including the awards ceremony and promotional material), please contact the appropriate committee chair or diversity@ala.org.