The Anisfield-Wolf Book Award

Established in 1935 by Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award is the only national juried prize dedicated to recognizing books that confront racism and celebrate diversity in human cultures. Administered by the Cleveland Foundation, the award has honored many of the most important voices in literature, including Toni Morrison, Nadine Gordimer, and Mohsin Hamid.

Prizes are awarded annually in fiction, poetry, memoir/autobiography, and general nonfiction. To be eligible for the 2026 awards cycle, books must be written in English and carry a 2025 copyright date.

Award recipients traditionally receive $10,000 from the Anisfield-Wolf fund. Attendance at the ceremony is a condition of accepting the award.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

Newsletter
Our newsletter delivers a carefully curated roundup of the newest writing contests and submission calls from around the world—straight to your inbox. Join our growing community of writers who stay informed and ahead of deadlines → Subscribe on Substack (free).