Virginia Literary Awards

The 26th Virginia Literary Awards Celebration will be celebrated on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

The annual Virginia Literary Awards honor Virginia writers and celebrate their contributions to the literary landscape of our state and nation. Given to Virginia authors in the categories of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction—and to nonfiction authors for works about a Virginia subject as well—the awards are presented at an annual gala celebration that has become the Library’s signature event and an eagerly anticipated cultural tradition in Richmond.

Support the Annual Literary Awards

There are many ways for individuals and groups to attend the awards gala, from purchasing single tickets to sponsoring a table.

Table hosts and other individual sponsorships are available for the Virginia Literary Awards.

Art in Literature: The Mary Lynn Kotz Award

ART IN LITERATURE: The Mary Lynn Kotz Award recognizes an outstanding book that is written primarily in response to a work (or works) of art while also showing the highest literary quality as a creative or scholarly work on its own merit. 

Vote for the People's Choice Awards

While the main award recipients are selected by independent panels of judges, the Library also invites book lovers and readers to vote for their favorite works in the People’s Choice Awards.

Peoples Choice Award Voting will be available June 15th, 2023.

Nominate a book for the Virginia Literary Awards

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