Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
America's most prestigious literary award, honoring distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life.
About the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is one of the seven American Pulitzer Prizes awarded annually for Letters, Drama, and Music. Established in 1917 through the will of Joseph Pulitzer, the fiction prize was first awarded in 1918.
The award recognizes distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life. It carries a $15,000 prize and is widely considered the most prestigious American literary award alongside the National Book Award.
The Pulitzer Prize is administered by Columbia University and announced each spring, typically in April or May. Winning the Pulitzer Prize significantly boosts an author's career and book sales.
Eligibility Requirements
- Author must be an American citizen
- Book must be published in the United States during the calendar year
- Fiction should preferably deal with American life
- Self-published books are generally not eligible
- Books must be submitted by publishers
Submission Process
Publishers submit books for consideration by June 15 for books published between January 1 and June 14, and by October 1 for books published between June 15 and December 31. An entry fee of $75 is required, along with four copies of the book.
Recent Pulitzer Prize Winners
| Year | Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Night Watch | Jayne Anne Phillips |
| 2023 | Demon Copperhead | Barbara Kingsolver |
| 2022 | The Netanyahus | Joshua Cohen |
| 2021 | The Night Watchman | Louise Erdrich |
| 2020 | The Nickel Boys | Colson Whitehead |
| 2019 | The Overstory | Richard Powers |
| 2018 | Less | Andrew Sean Greer |
| 2017 | The Underground Railroad | Colson Whitehead |
| 2016 | The Sympathizer | Viet Thanh Nguyen |
| 2015 | All the Light We Cannot See | Anthony Doerr |
Pulitzer Prize FAQ
How are Pulitzer Prize finalists selected?
A jury of five judges (writers, editors, and critics) reviews submissions and selects three finalists. The Pulitzer Prize Board then votes on the winner from these finalists, though they may also select a different work or award no prize.
Can the same author win multiple Pulitzer Prizes?
Yes. Several authors have won multiple Pulitzer Prizes for Fiction, including Colson Whitehead (2017, 2020), John Updike (1982, 1991), and William Faulkner (1955, 1963).
What happens if no prize is awarded?
The Board can choose not to award a prize if no entry is deemed worthy. This has happened several times in the fiction category, most recently in 2012.