St. Francis College is pleased to announce the opening of submissions for our second, biannual St. Francis College Literary Prize. The St. Francis College Literary Prize is meant to offer encouragement and significant financial support to a mid-career writer. Our award prize is $50,000. Our 2011 Prize will be awarded for an outstanding 3rd to 5th book of published fiction. We will consider books published from July 2009 to May 2011. Self-published books will be considered for award consideration as will English translations.
A short list will be announced in mid-August 2011. The winner will be announced at the Brooklyn Book Festival in September 2011.
The deadline for entries is May 1, 2011.
Submissions (6 copies) should be mailed to:
Professor Ian Maloney
Department of English
St. Francis College
180 Remsen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it an annual award?
The SFC Literary Prize will be a biannual prize. It will be offered again in 2011.
What are the publication dates for eligible books?
Currently the jury will consider books published from July 2009 until May 2011.
What about self-published books?
Self-published books will be considered for award consideration.
Are translated books eligible?
Yes, works in English translation will be considered.
Can the book include previously published material?
Yes.
When will you announce the award?
A short list will be announced in mid-August of 2011. The winner will be announced at the 2011 Brooklyn Book Festival.
Is this a permanent jury?
The jury of Michael Chabon, Heidi Julavits, Jonathan Lethem, Ben Marcus, and Ayelet Waldman was only for the first award cycle.
ALEKSANDAR HEMON WINS INAUGURAL LITERARY PRIZE
From nearly 40 submissions down to one, the jury for the first ever St. Francis College Literary Prize has selected Aleksandar Hemon for his book,
Love and Obstacles (Riverhead Books) as the winner of the $50,000 award, one of the richest Literary Prizes in the United States. Hemon, raised in Sarajevo and now residing in Chicago wrote his first work in English in 1995. He was awarded the prize at the Gala Opening Night Party of the Brooklyn Book Festival on September 12. Hemon was selected over the other short list authors: Chris Abani,
Song For Night (Akashic Books); Jim Krusoe,
Girl Factory (Tin House Books) and Arthur Phillips,
The Song Is You (Random House).
“I was going to quit after this book now it turns out I'm mid-career,” said Hemon in his short, modest and humorous acceptance speech. “Thank you all for coming tonight and exposing me to this embarrassing pleasure. I will keep writing, I guess I have no other choice.” (
Watch the whole speech below)
The St. Francis College Literary Prize is meant to offer encouragement and significant financial support to a mid-career writer.
Read the press release
Hemon then returned to campus in the Fall 2009 to deliver a talk on his work and read selections from the book submitted. He also taught a short mini-workshop in fiction. (
Read the release & watch his reading)
St. Francis College Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean Tim Houlihan offers background on the Literary Prize.
Sarajevo Native Aleksandar Hemon delivers his brief and modest acceptance speech after winning the inaugural $50,000 St. Francis College Literary Prize.