Announcing the inaugural prize
Entries open today. What we are looking for, and how the year unfolds.
The Florida Book Awards opens for entries today. Books first published within the past five years — through 31 December 2026 — may be entered in any of nineteen categories, by their author, publisher, or agent, from anywhere in the world.
The early fee of sixty-five dollars per category holds through 31 August, rises to seventy-five through 30 November, and to eighty-four in the final month. Entries close at 11:59 pm Eastern on 31 December.
What we are looking for
Books that were made with intent. We are not counting sales, we are not weighing imprints, and we are not filling quotas — the jury may confer fewer medals than the categories allow, and will, if the year asks for it.
Shortlists appear in March 2027. The inaugural medals are conferred in Miami in April 2027.