The jury
Eleven authorsThe prize is judged by a standing jury of eleven working authors, appointed annually. The jury reads across every category; each entered book is read in full by at least two jurors, and every medal is decided in deliberation by the panel as a whole.
Jurors are drawn from among poets, novelists, essayists, historians, translators, critics, and writers for young readers, with an eye to balance across genre, region, and stage of career. No juror may serve more than three consecutive years.
Jurors disclose any connection to an entered title and recuse themselves from its consideration. The jury's deliberations are confidential and its decisions are final. Correspondence regarding a specific book — whether from author, publisher, agent, or reader — is not accepted during the reading period.
The 2026 jury will be announced upon the close of entries
The full panel — eleven working authors and one presiding chair — is published each January, ahead of the reading period. Nominations for future juries may be sent, in confidence, to jury@floridabookawards.com.
How the reading works
From entry to medal- Two readers, minimumEvery entered book is read in full by at least two jurors; a third is assigned where they disagree.
- Argued in proseShortlists are drawn up in writing. Each juror must argue for a book, not merely score it.
- Imprint-blindTrade, university, independent, and author-published books arrive at the table on the same terms.
- Recusal, loggedAny connection to a book — teaching, editing, representation, friendship — removes the juror from its consideration.
- TurnoverRoughly one-third of the jury is refreshed each year; no juror serves more than three consecutive years.
Working writers who would like to be considered for a future jury are welcome to write to the address above with a brief note on their reading and their editorial work. More on the discipline of judging in the journal.