NH Literary Awards Finalists Announced

The 2023 NHWP New Hampshire Literary Awards Ceremony, where the winners will be announced, will be on Saturday, October 21, at 5:00-7:00 PM at the Salon in the Southern New Hampshire University’s Hospitality Center. Parking is available right outside the Hospitality Center on either side of the building. The event is free, but you will have to register to attend. 

The 2023 NH Literary Award Finalists are:

Fiction

• All the Flowers of the Mountain by Christina Holbrook
• Moss by Joe Pace
• Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton

Non- Fiction

• Ciao Italia - Plant, Harvest, Cook by Mary Ann Esposito
• No Place for a Woman: Harriet Dame's War by Mike Pride
• Tie: White Mountains State Keith Gentili and Deep Presence by Robert Goodby

Poetry

• Crows in Eden by Todd Hearon
• To Be Opened After My Death by Midge Goldberg
• A  Case for Solace by Liz Ahl

Young Adult

• Six Thousand Donuts  by Thomas Tosi
• Love Magnet of Oz by Alan Lindsay
•  Superhuman by Dan Pouliot

Children

• Pearl of Portsmouth by Tammi Truax
• Tie: I Am Today by MattForrest Esenwine and Squashed by Meaghan Tosi and Thomas Tosi
• R is for Rainbow by Kim Ferreira

NH Writers' Project Seeking Nominations

Submissions for the NH Literary Awards Now Open

Manchester, NH, April 12, 2021 — The New Hampshire Writers’ Project (NHWP) is currently accepting submissions for the Biennial New Hampshire Literary Awards. Submissions are being accepted until 5:00 p.m. on June 21, 2021.

The NH Literary Awards recognize published works written about New Hampshire as well as works written by New Hampshire natives or residents. Books may be nominated in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s picture books, middle grade/young adult books. All entries will be read and evaluated by a panel of judges assembled by the NHWP. The judges are teachers, librarians and readers from the state of New Hampshire and are independent of NHWP.

Concurrently, there will be a second opportunity for recognition through the Readers’ Choice Awards. For the Reader’s Choice Awards, beginning in late August, anyone will be able to cast one vote online for their favorite nominee in each category. To be eligible, books must have been published between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020.

Visit https://nhwritersproject.org/new-hampshire-literary-awards/ for more information about the submission process. The winners will be announced at an event in the fall of 2021. It is not yet determined if the awards ceremony will be in person or a virtual event.

Founded in 1988, the New Hampshire Writers’ Project (NHWP) is the state’s largest literary arts nonprofit organization. The NHWP fosters and celebrates New Hampshire writers and provides a supportive community to writers of all ages, experience levels, backgrounds and genres. NHWP core programs, publications, website and annual 603 Writers’ Conference provide writers and readers with opportunities to meet each other, network and learn more about the art of writing and the business of publishing.

 

Congratulations to the NH Literary Awards Finalists!

The New Hampshire Writers’ Project board of trustees has announced that the following authors have been selected as finalists in the 2019 New Hampshire Literary Awards (by category):

Fiction

• A Beautiful Invention - Margaret Porter
• The Oracle Files: Escape  - Masheri Chappelle
• Resin - Amy Virginia Evans
• Raven Tell a Story - Anne Donaghy

Children's Picture Book

• The Perfect Pillow - Eric Pinder
• The Elephants Euphonium - Bonnie Fladung
• Flashlight Night - Matt Forrest

Middle-Grade Young Adult

• The Curse of Halim - Alfred Struthers
• Blood Brothers - Jonathan Daniels
• Bound by Ice - Sandra and Rich Wallace

Non-Fiction

• Ciao Italia - Mary Ann  Esposito
• The White Mountain - Dan Szczesny
• A Tale of Two Rivers - Sue McPhee

Poetry

• Hallowed: New and Selected Poems - Patricia Fargnoli
• Beating the Bounds - Liz Ahl
• Sleep in a Strange House - Jessica Purdy

The New Hampshire Literary Awards winners will be announced on Saturday, October 5th, at a ceremony on the St. Anselm College campus in Manchester, NH from 4 to 6 PM in the Roger and Francine Jean Student Center.  The event is free but required seat reservations are available through the following link on a first come first serve basis:  www.nhwritersproject.org/new-hampshire-literary-awards/

NH Literary Awards Update

 We received this announcement from the NH Writers' Project with an updated deadline for award submissions.

13th New Hampshire Literary Awards Submissions Accepted Until March 22, 2019
MANCHESTER, March 4, 2019 – The 13th New Hampshire Literary Awards are now open for submissions. These awards recognize literary talent in the Granite state in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s picture books, and middle grade/young adult books. Submissions must be written by a NH native or resident and be postmarked by March 22, 2019.
“There is vast literary talent in our state,” said Masheri Chappelle, Board chair of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project, the organization tied to the Literary Awards. “These awards recognize talented New Hampshire authors and are the highest honor our organization bestows.”
Entries will be read and evaluated by a panel of judges assembled by the New Hampshire Writers’ Project. Winners will be announced October 5th at a reception at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. There will be a second opportunity for recognition through the Readers’ Choice Awards. Beginning in August, anyone will be able to cast one vote online for their favorite nominee in each category.
To be eligible, books must have been published between April 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Submit three print copies of the book, a $50 nomination fee, along with a completed nomination form to the NH Writers’ Project by March 22, 2019. Send submissions to NH Writers’ Project, Attn: Sara Lesley Warner, 2500 North River Rd., Manchester, NH 03106.
Complete rules and submission form can be found at www.nhwritersproject.org/new-hampshire-literary-awards/.

NH Writers' Project's NH Literary Awards

The NH Writers' Project sent us the following announcement last night:

The NH Writers’ Project is now accepting submissions for the New Hampshire Literary Awards for the 13th year. These awards recognize the vast literary talent in the Granite State.
To be eligible, published works must be written by a NH native or resident and must have been published between April 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Books may be nominated in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s picture books, middle grade/young adult books.
As the entries are being read and evaluated by a panel of judges assembled by the New Hampshire Writers’ Project, there will be a second opportunity for recognition through the Readers’ Choice Awards.
Beginning in August, anyone will be able to cast one vote online for their favorite nominee in each category.  To be eligible, books must have been published between April 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018.  Submit three print copies of the book, a $50 nomination fee, along with a completed nomination form to the NH Writers’ Project by February 28, 2019.
Complete rules and submission form can be found at https://www.nhwritersproject.org/new-hampshire-literary-awards/.

Change re NH Literary Awards

On August 16, 2018 The NH Writers' Project notified us that they have decided that will coordinate the NH Literary Awards on their own. The Center for the Book will not be involved. Consequently the information posted yesterday is no longer valid.Sara Lesley Arnold Warner is the NHWP Literary Awards Committee Chair. Inquiries about the NH Literary Awards should be directed to info@nhwritersproject.org.

13th NH Literary Awards

On August 16, 2018 The NH Writers' Project notified us that they have decided that will coordinate the NH Literary Awards on their own. The Center for the Book will not be involved. Consequently the information below is no longer valid.Sara Lesley Arnold Warner is the NHWP Literary Awards Committee Chair. Inquiries about the NH Literary Awards should be directed to info@nhwritersproject.org.


The Center for the Book at the NHSL in partnership with the New Hampshire Writers’ Project will present the 13th New Hampshire Literary Awards in November 2019.
Books by New Hampshire natives, by New Hampshire residents, or that have New Hampshire as a prominent aspect of their content and with a publication date between  April 1, 2016 and Jan. 31, 2019 will be eligible for the awards. Specific award categories will be similar to past ones and will be announced when nominations open.

Preliminary Timeline

• January 2019 - judging panel recruitment will begin
• March 2019 - open nominations mid-month, award categories will be announced at this time
• April 2019 - postmark deadline for nominations is expected to be April 29, 2019
• August 2019 - readers' choice voting will be opened mid-month
• September 2019 - finalists will be announced mid-month; readers' choice voting will close at the end of the month
• October 2019 - winners of NH Literary Awards will be announced
• November 2019 - award ceremony will be held at which readers' choice winners will be announced

Ladybug Nominee Profile

Albert had an amazing time on his trip to Maine, but everyone sees "amazing" a bit differently. This fun picture book from New Hampshire's own Marty Kelley was a nominee for the 12th NH Literary Awards and was chosen as the 2016 Readers' Choice winner for Children's and YA Literature. Intrigued? Check out the trailer. When you visit the page with the trailer be sure not to click on the button that tells you not to click on it --dog poop is involved. 

This is Mr. Kelley's second Ladybug nomination: Winter Woes was nominated in 2005.  
 

This is one of the ten titles nominated for the 2017 Ladybug Picture Book Award.

Book of the Week (7/3/2017)

Breaking Wild by Diane Les Becquets (New York: Berkley/Penguin Random House, 2016).
 
Granite Stater Diane Les Becquets has previously authored three young adult novels. She brings to us her first adult novel with "Breaking Wild". Diane is a faculty member and former director of the MFA Program in Fiction and Non-Fiction at Southern New Hampshire University.

"Breaking Wild" is a national bestseller and recipient of numerous accolades, including Winner of the 12th NH Literary Awards for Outstanding Work of Fiction, The Colorado Book Award for General Fiction, as well as many others!

It is the last weekend of the season for Amy Raye Latour to get away. Driven to spend days alone in the wilderness, Amy Raye, mother of two, is compelled by the quiet and the rush of nature. But this time, her venture into a remote area presents a different set of dangers than Amy Raye has planned for and she finds herself on the verge of the precarious edge that she’s flirted with her entire life.

When Amy Raye doesn’t return to camp, ranger Pru Hathaway and her dog respond to the missing person’s call. After an unexpected snowfall and few leads, the operation turns into a search and recovery. Pru, though, is not resigned to that. The more she learns about the woman for whom she is searching, and about Amy Raye’s past, the more she suspects that Amy Raye might yet be alive. Pru’s own search becomes an obsession for a woman whose life is just as mysterious as the clues she has left behind.

As the novel follows Amy Raye and Pru in alternating threads, Breaking Wild assumes the white-knuckled pace of a thriller laying bare Amy Raye’s ultimate reckoning with the secrets of her life, and Pru’s dogged pursuit of the woman who, against all odds, she believes she can find. --Publisher's blurb.

12th NH Literary Awards

Last night the New Hampshire Writers' Project, in partnership with the Center for the Book at the NH State Library, presented the New Hampshire Literary Awards at a reception and ceremony sponsored by the NH Institute of Art. The readers' choice winners were selected based on the online votes of nearly 1,000 readers.

Reception before the ceremony began
(photo: Brenda Noiseux)

2016 Outstanding Work of Fiction

Awarded to a writer for a book of fiction published between June 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016. This may be a novel or a collection of short stories and may focus on a particular genre, such as mystery or science fiction. Brendan DuBois judged this category.

• Breaking Wild - Diane Les Becquets - WINNER
• Welcome to Frost Heaves - Ken Sheldon (Fred Marple) - READERS' CHOICE WINNER
• Gate City - Michael Davidow - FINALIST
• A Measure of Happiness - Lorrie Thomson - FINALIST

2016 Outstanding Book of Poetry

Awarded to a poet for an outstanding book or chapbook of poetry published between June 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016. Betsy Snider judged this category.

• Interval: Poems Based on Bach's Goldberg Variations - Alice B. Fogel - WINNER
• Snowman's Code - Midge Goldberg - FINALIST & READERS' CHOICE WINNER
• No Other Gods - Todd Hearon - FINALIST
• The Alchemy of Desire - Dianalee Velie - FINALIST
• Pretenders - Jeff Friedman - FINALIST

2016 Outstanding Work of Nonfiction Nominees

Awarded to a writer for a book of nonfiction published between June 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016. This may be creative nonfiction, biography, memoir, historical nonfiction, or books that focus on travel, education, and other nonfiction subjects. Katrina Kenison judged this category.

• The Nepal Chronicles - Dan Szczesny - WINNER & READERS' CHOICE WINNER
• Babe Conquers the World - Rich & Sandra Wallace - FINALIST
• A Berkshire Boyhood - Robert Begiebing - FINALIST

Audience members, including
Lita Judge and Marie Harris, listen to
Peter Biello's introduction
(photo: Brenda Noiseux)

2016 Outstanding Work of Children's Literature Nominees

Awarded to a writer for a work of children’s literature (picture book, chapter book) published between June 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016. Lita Judge judged this category.

• The Girl Who Heard Colors - Marie Harris - WINNER
• Albert's Almost Amazing Adventure - Marty Kelley - FINALIST & READERS' CHOICE WINNER
• This Orq (he cave boy) - David Elliott - FINALIST

2016 Outstanding Young Adult Book Nominees

Awarded to a writer for a work of young adult literature (fiction or nonfiction) published between June 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016. Joseph Monninger judged this category.

• Strange Sweet Song - Adi Rule - WINNER
• The Runaway's Gold - Emilie Christie Burack - READERS' CHOICE WINNER
• Chelsea Creek to Bunker Hill: Spring 1775 - Terri A. DeMitchell - FINALIST

Readers' Choice Voting Going on Now

In partnership with the NH Writers' Project, the NH Center for the Book invites readers to vote for their choice among the titles nominated for the 12th New Hampshire Literary Awards.
Vote at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHLitAwdRC2016 before midnight on September 30, 2016. The Readers' Choice winners will be announced at the New Hampshire Literary Awards event on November 3, 2016.

Nominations Now Open for the 2016 NH Literary Awards

In recognition of the rich and varied literary talent in the Granite State, the New Hampshire Writers’ Project in partnership with the Center for the Book at the NH State Library will present the 12th New Hampshire Literary Awards on November 3, 2016 at a special reception and ceremony held at the New Hampshire Institute of Art in Manchester. 

Books by New Hampshire natives, books by New Hampshire residents, and books that have New Hampshire as a prominent aspect of their content are eligible. Books published between June 1, 2013 and March 31, 2016 may be nominated by May 31, 2016 in the following categories:

• Outstanding Work of Fiction

• Outstanding Book of Poetry

• Outstanding Work of Nonfiction

• Outstanding Work of Children’s Literature

• Outstanding Young Adult Book

Additionally, The Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library will present Readers’ Choice Awards for Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Children’s Literature, and Young Adult Book based on online voting to be held later this year. All titles nominated for the NH Literary Awards will be included in the Readers' Choice voting.

Nominations are encouraged and welcome from everyone, including writers, publishers, organizations, and the general public. Self-nominations are also welcome.

Details on how to submit a nomination, including the required nomination form, are at http://nhwritersproject.org/content/nh-literary-awards. Please note that there is a $50 fee (payable by check to NHWP) required for each nominated title to cover administration costs.

Nominations must be postmarked by May 31.