Memoir & Biography Awards
Comprehensive guide to awards for memoir writers and biographers. Discover competitions for autobiography, biography, and life writing.
About Memoir & Biography Awards
Life writing encompasses memoir, autobiography, and biography. Major literary prizes include the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, while specialized awards like the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award honor memoir specifically. Many general nonfiction awards also recognize exceptional life writing.
Major Biography & Memoir Awards
Pulitzer Prize for Biography
For distinguished biography or autobiography by an American author. Prize: $15,000
National Book Critics Circle Award - Biography
Prestigious critics' award with dedicated autobiography/biography category.
PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography
Recognizes a distinguished biography published in the US. Prize: $5,000
Costa Book Award - Biography
Major UK literary award with dedicated biography category. Prize: £5,000
Memoir-Specific Awards
Memoir Awards FAQ
What's the difference between memoir and autobiography?
Memoir focuses on specific themes or periods of life, while autobiography typically covers an entire life chronologically. Most awards accept both under "biography" or "life writing" categories.
Can self-published memoirs win awards?
Yes! Many indie book awards include memoir categories. The IPPY Awards, Readers' Favorite, and indie-focused competitions welcome self-published memoirs.