Eligibility
Eligibility
- Eligible books are those published first, or simultaneously, in the United States, in English, in 2020, and made available in hardcover or bound paperback form for purchase by the general public. Date of first publication, not copyright date, applies.
- Full-length books of fiction and narrative/literary nonfiction are eligible. Nonfiction may include history, science, religion, memoir, biography, journalism, and all sub-genres of creative nonfiction.
- Collections of short stories and collections of essays by one author are eligible.
- Authors who have or have not been honored previously at Chautauqua Institution, and who have won or have not won other book awards, are eligible.
- Any author of an eligible book, including previous winners, is eligible for consideration each year.
- Authors are eligible to receive the prize without regard to nationality or residence.
- The author must be living at the time of the closing date for entries (December 15, 2020). In the case of a book by two authors, at least one of the authors must be alive on this date.
- Several chapters may have been published previously in magazines or journals, but most of the work must be original to the nominated book with the exception of short story and essay collections.
- The following books are not eligible:
- An English translation of a book written originally in any other language is not eligible.
- Self-published books are not eligible. Chautauqua Institution follows the guidelines set by the National Endowment for the Arts, which qualifies self-publishing as work from presses that: "require individual writers to pay for part or all of the production costs; require writers to buy or sell copies of the publication; publish work without competitive selection or a stated editorial policy; or publish work without professional editing."
- Anonymous authors are not eligible.
- Anthologies containing work written by multiple authors are not eligible.
- A reprint of a book published in a previous award year is not eligible.
- In general, cookbooks, self-help books (including inspirational literature), reference books, picture books, graphic novels, or children’s books are not eligible.
- In the event of a question as to eligibility, Chautauqua Institution will decide whether a book is eligible, and its decision will be binding. No correspondence will be required, and books and entry fees will not be returned.
- Selected longlist authors and publishers will be notified in February, and will be required to:
- Designate a week in summer 2021 when the author could accept The Chautauqua Prize at Chautauqua Institution (if selected), at which time the prize winner will give a 30-minute acceptance/reading at an event held in their honor.
- Grant permission (if selected) to reproduce portions of the book for Chautauqua publicity purposes, with no additional remuneration.
- Grant permission (if selected) for Chautauqua Institution to film his or her acceptance talk, and make it available to the public, for sale or not for sale, with no additional remuneration.
Updated Aug. 21, 2020
Submission Requirements
Submission Requirements
After each nominated eligible book is evaluated by three Chautauquan reviewers, the shortlist and winner are chosen by an independent, anonymous jury.
- Publishers (including trade, university, and small presses), agents, readers, or authors may submit books published in 2020 by living writers.
- The 2021 prize is open to any book of original fiction or narrative/literary nonfiction, written in English.
- Books must be published in the United States between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. This means that the first publication must have been during that period. A paperback publication date does not count if that was not the first publication.
- Multiple entries may be submitted.
- Entries must include the following materials — no exceptions:
- An official entry form (or facsimile) for each title entered. Click here for a PDF download of the entry form.
- Eight (8) copies of each title entered, either published works or bound galleys. Please mark prominently: 2021 Chautauqua Prize material.
- Official entry forms must be accompanied by the entry fee of $75, paid by the nominator and payable by check or money order to Chautauqua Institution.
- The postmark deadline for entry form is December 15, 2020. Books must be received by December 15, 2020.
- Nominators who wish the Institution to acknowledge receipt of their entry materials should enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard or envelope.
- Longlist finalists are notified in February. At that time, they are asked to provide biographies and pictures, and to identify summer dates in which they could visit Chautauqua Institution to accept the award in person (a requirement of the prize). The winner and shortlist finalists are notified in April. They are also required to accept conditions noted as No. 9 below.
- Nominators agree that the decision of Chautauqua Institution and/or the judges will be final as to all matters, including eligibility, timelines of submissions, and compliance with these submission guidelines. Selected author and publisher must grant the permanent right in any and all media throughout the world to use all promotional and publicity rights in connection with their participation in the Chautauqua Prize competition, for use of their respective photographs, names, likenesses, voice, or appearances in connection with The Chautauqua Prize; and each consents to the permanent right of Chautauqua Institution to publish or broadcast the author’s acceptance speech without further consent or payment. Finalists grant the right that the book, author and publisher may be named in CHQ's announcements.
- Books not accompanied by entry form will not be considered or returned.
- Nominators may send books by U.S. mail or express courier. Chautauqua Institution cannot be responsible for replacing items that are lost in transit. Nominators are encouraged to submit entries and copies well in advance of the deadline.
- Books will not be returned. Unused books, if any, will be donated to local public and school libraries as appropriate.
- Nothing in these guidelines shall be deemed to limit in any way the authority and control of Chautauqua Institution.
- For more information, please contact:
Sara Toth
Department of Education
Chautauqua Institution
P.O. Box 28
1 Ames Ave.
Chautauqua, NY 14722
(716) 357-6376
Emily Carpenter
Department of Education
Chautauqua Institution
P.O. Box 28
1 Ames Ave.
Chautauqua, NY 14722
(716) 357-6310
Updated Aug. 21, 2020
Selection Process
Selection Process
- Each nominated eligible book is evaluated by three reviewers, representing a panel of Chautauquans who are writers, publishers, critics, editors, librarians, booksellers, and literature and creative writing educators. Books are distributed in a deliberate random fashion. If a reviewer self-discloses a concern that s/he cannot review a particular assigned book fairly, the submission is reassigned to a different reviewer.
- The reviewers read and recommend independently of each other and the staff at Chautauqua Institution.
- Books must be advanced for the finalist longlist by two of the three reviewers.
- Shortlist and winner are chosen by an independent, anonymous jury. Each jury member may also advance one selection to the finalist longlist.
- The task of the jury is to select books that, in their opinion, best fulfill the purpose of the prize.
- The jury’s choice of winners is binding and final.
Updated Aug. 21, 2020