Awards

The National Book Foundation announced that LeVar Burton will host the 2023 National Book Awards ceremony in NYC on November 15. He replaces Drew Barrymore, whose invitation was rescinded when she resumed filming her show during the WGA strike. “LeVar Burton has introduced multiple generations of young people to the joys of reading, and is a fearless advocate for book access, especially amidst the alarming rise in book banning across the country,” David Steinberger, chair of the board of directors of the National Book Foundation, said in the announcement. “We are delighted to welcome LeVar back onto the National Book […]

The MacArthur Foundation announced their annual “Genius” fellows, including writers Ada Limón (whose most recent book is The Hurting Kind), Manuel Muñoz (The Consequences), and Imani Perry (South to America). Also named is Diana Greene Foster, author of The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having—or Being Denied—an Abortion.

Earlier today we incorrectly identified Amber Ruffin as the host of the National Book Awards ceremony. Ruffin will host the finalist reading on Tuesday, November 14. A host for the ceremony has not yet been announced.

The National Book Foundation announced its shortlists for the National Book Awards, with the winners to be named at a ceremony in New York on Wednesday, November 15. One thing we know already: Every author will be a first-time winner. Only three of the nominees have made a shortlist in the past: Pilar Quintana and Lisa Dillman were finalists for Translated Literature in 2020; and Monica Youn was a finalist for Poetry in 2010. (Paul Harding, nominated for fiction, was a suprise winner of the Pulitzer in 2010 for Tinkers. He is the only NBA-nominated fiction writer also shortlisted for […]