The National Book Critics Circle Awards are a set of annual American literary awards by the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) to promote "the finest books and reviews published in English"."About: Supporting Book Criticism and Literary Culture Since 1974", NBCC. Retrieved February 2, 2012. The first NBCC awards were announced and presented January 16, 1976.The National Book Critics Circle Journal 2:1, Spring 1976. , NBCC. Retrieved February 2, 2012. "Along with the National Book Awards and the Pulitzer Prizes, the National Book Critics Circle Awards are among the most distinguished literary prizes in the United States", according to The New York Times.
Six awards are presented annually to books published in the U.S. during the preceding calendar year, in six categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Memoir/Autobiography, Biography, and Criticism. Four of them span the entire NBCC award history; Memoir/Autobiography and Biography were recognized by one "Autobiography/Biography" award for publication years 1983 to 2004, then replaced by two awards. Beginning in 2014, the NBCC also presents a special "first book" award across all six categories, named the John Leonard Prize in honor of literary critic and NBCC founding member John Leonard, who died in 2008."NBCC to Add John Leonard Award to Honor First Books; Named After Founding Member". . May 2013. National Book Critics Circle.
Books previously published in English are not eligible, such as re-issues and paperback editions. Nor does the NBC Circle consider "cookbooks, self help books (including inspirational literature), reference books, picture books or children's books". They do consider "translations, short story and essay collections, self published books, and any titles that fall under the general categories"."Frequently Asked Questions" (no date), NBCC. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
The judges are the volunteer directors of the NBCC who are 24 members serving rotating three-year terms, with eight elected annually by the voting members,"Board of Directors" (no date), NBCC. Retrieved February 2, 2012. namely "professional book review editors and book reviewers"."Membership" (no date), NBCC. Retrieved February 2, 2012. Winners are announced each year at the NBCC awards ceremony in conjunction with the yearly membership meeting, which takes place in March.
==Award categories==
Biography Criticism Fiction General Nonfiction Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award John Leonard Prize for Best First Book Memoir/Autobiography Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing Poetry Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize
References
External links
Official website