The AWP Award is an annual competition for the publication of new book-length works.
The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) is a nonprofit organization of writers, teachers, colleges, and universities. The Donald Hall Prize for Poetry is an award of $5,000 and publication. The Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction is an award of $5,000 and publication. Winners in the novel and creative nonfiction categories receive a $2,000 cash honorarium and publication. AWP hires a staff of “screeners” who review manuscripts for the judges, who select ten manuscripts in each genre for each judge's final evaluations.
Year Category Judge Winner Work2022PoetryNaomi Shihab NyeSahar MuradiOctobers, University of Pittsburgh Press2022Short FictionE.P. TuazonProfessional Lola, Red Hen Press2022NovelBrandon HobsonParul Kapur HinzenInside the Mirror, University of Nebraska Press 2022NonfictionBrian TurnerJessica Hendry NelsonJoy Rides Through the Tunnel of Grief: A Memoir, University of Georgia Press2021PoetryIlya KaminskyPaul Hlava Ceballosbanana [ ], University of Pittsburgh Press2021Short FictionRebecca MakkaiDaphne KalotayVertigo and Other Stories2021NovelSabina MurrayElizabeth ShickThe Golden Land, New Issues Poetry & Prose2021NonfictionAimee NezhukumatathilAnne-Marie OomenAs Long as I Know You: The Mom Book, University of Georgia Press2020PoetryClaudia RankineTracy Fuadabout:blank, University of Pittsburgh Press2020Short FictionDr. Amina GautierJohn WeirYour Nostalgia is Killing Me, Red Hen Press2020NovelSalvatore ScibonaChristie HodgenBoy Meets Girl, New Issues Press2020NonfictionAlexander CheeCaroline CrewOther Girls to Burn, University of Georgia Press2019PoetryNatasha D. TretheweyJoy PriestHorsepower, University of Pittsburgh Press2019Short FictionDan ChaonCécile BarlierA Gypsy's Book of Revelation, Red Hen Press2019NovelBonnie Jo CampbellRobert ShusterTo Zenzi, New Issues Press2019NonfictionDebra MonroeMegan HarlanMobile Home: A Memoir in Essays, The University of Georgia Press2018PoetryRoss A. GayRebecca LehmannRinger, University of Pittsburgh Press2018Short FictionKelly LinkZachary DossBoy Oh Boy, University of Massachusetts Press2018NovelPaula McLainGinger EagerThe Nature of Remains, New Issues Press2018NonfictionDinty W. MooreSteven MooreThe Longer We Were There: A Memoir of a Part-Time Soldier, The University of Georgia Press2017PoetryKim AddonizioBrynne Rebele-HenryAutobiography of a Wound, University of Pittsburgh Press2017Short FictionSue MillerJon ChopanCrisis Hotline: Veterans Press I, University of Massachusetts Press2017NovelZachary LazarJoshua BernsteinRachel's Tomb, New Issues Press2017NonfictionGretel EhrlichWang PingLife of Miracles along the Yangtze and Mississippi, The University of Georgia Press2016PoetryVijay SeshadriLauren ClarkMusic for a Wedding, University of Pittsburgh Press2016Short FictionAmy HempelMary KurylaFreak Weather Stories, University of Massachusetts Press2016NovelKaren Tei YamashitaJames JankoThe Clubhouse Thief, New Issues Press2016NonfictionMichael SteinbergPaisley RekdalThe Broken Country: On Trauma, A Crime, and the Continuing Legacy of Vietnam, The University of Georgia Press2015PoetryCrystal Ann WilliamsMarci CalabrettaHour of the Ox, University of Pittsburgh Press2015Short FictionNahid RachlinEric NeuenfeldtWild Horse, University of Massachusetts Press2015NovelPaul HardingCarol ZorefBarren Island, New Issues Press2015NonfictionLia PurpuraNo winner2014PoetryJoy HarjoIliana RochaKarankawa, University of Pittsburgh Press2014Short FictionJaime ManriqueSusan Muaddi DarrajA Curious Land: Stories from Home, University of Massachusetts Press2014NovelMary GaitskillCharles M. BoyerHistory's Child, New Issues Press2014NonfictionJohn Phillip SantosSarah EinsteinMot, A Memoir, University of Georgia Press 2013PoetryD. A. PowellKirsten KaschockThe Dottery, University of Pittsburgh Press 2013Short FictionPam HoustonCarla PancieraBewildered, University of Massachusetts Press 2013NovelCharles Yu Matthew BurriesciNonprofit, New Issues Press 2013NonfictionBernard CooperSarah GorhamStudy in Perfect, University of Georgia Press 2012PoetryArthur SzeJoan Naviyuk KaneHyperboreal, University of Pittsburgh Press 2012Short FictionDan ChaonLucas SouthworthEveryone Here Has a Gun, University of Massachusetts Press 2012NovelKathryn Davis Andrew LaddWhat Ends, New Issues Press 2012NonfictionTerry Tempest WilliamsJulian HoffmanThe Small Heart of Things: Being at Home in a Beckoning World, University of Georgia Press 2011PoetryDorianne LauxLaura ReadInstructions for My Mother's Funeral, University of Pittsburgh Press 2011Short FictionJhumpa LahiriCorinna VallianatosMy Escapee, University of Massachusetts Press 2011NovelDon Lee Kirstin ScottMotherlunge, New Issues Press 2011NonfictionSusan OrleanMarcia AldrichCompanion to an Untold Story, University of Georgia Press 2010PoetryAlberto RíosQuan BarryWater Puppets, University of Pittsburgh Press 2010Short FictionPeter Ho DaviesDouglas LightGirls in Trouble, University of Massachusetts Press 2010NovelFrancine Prose Mandy Keifetz Flea Circus: A Brief Bestiary of Grief, New Issues Press 2010NonfictionLuis Alberto UrreaDanielle Cadena DeulenThe Riots, University of Georgia Press 2009PoetryJean ValentineBradley PaulThe Animals All Are Gathering 2009Short FictionAllan GurganusChristine SneedPortraits of a Few of the People I've Made Cry 2009NovelJim Shepard Kevin FentonMerit Badges 2009NonfictionLee GutkindDavid VannLast Day on Earth 2008PoetryLynn EmanuelBeth BachmannTemper 2008Short FictionJewell Parker RhodesRamola DTemporary Lives & Other Stories 2008NovelJoanna Scott Goldie GoldbloomToad's Museum of Freaks and Wonders 2008NonfictionKathleen NorrisSonja LivingstonGhostbread 2007PoetryBob HicokSharon DolinBurn and Dodge 2007Short FictionNoy HollandDavid VannLegend of a Suicide 2007NovelRobert Eversz Scott BlackwoodWe Agreed to Meet Just Here 2007NonfictionMichael MartoneSharon WhiteVanished Gardens 2006PoetryTerrance HayesAngela BallNight Clerk at the Hotel of Both Worlds 2006Short FictionNancy ReismanKaren BrownPins and Needles 2006NovelNicholas Delbanco Geoff RipsThe Truth 2006NonfictionKyoko MoriMort ZachterDough: A Memoir 2005PoetryHa JinJohn HodgenGrace 2005Short FictionAna MenendezNona CaspersHeavier Than Air 2005NovelRikki Ducornet John RobinsonDreaming America 2005NonfictionRobin HemleyJ.D. ScrimgeourThemes for English B 2004PoetryAlicia OstrikerChristopher BurskThe Improbable Swervings of Atoms 2004Short FictionDouglas BauerNo winner 2004NovelElizabeth McCracken M. Evelina GalangOne Tribe 2004NonfictionSuzannah LessardDavid CarkeetCampus Sexpot 2003PoetryStephen DunnBarbara HambyBabel 2003Short FictionJoan SilberDoreen BainganaTropical Fish 2003Novel No winner 2003NonfictionBeverly LowryKaren Salyer McElmurrayMother of the Disappeared: An Appalachian Birth Mother's Journey 2002PoetryCornelius EadySandra KohlerThe Ceremonies of Longing 2002Short FictionFrederick BuschJoan ConnorHistory Lessons 2002Novel No winner 2002NonfictionSue William SilvermanMark AndersonJesus Sound Explosion 2001PoetryMarilyn ChinGray JacobikBrave Disguises 2001Short FictionFrederick BarthelmeChristie HodgenA Jeweler’s Eye for Flaw 2001Novel No winner 2001NonfictionBarry SandersJill ChristmanDarkroom: An Autobiography 2000PoetryLi-Young LeeJoanie V. MackowskiThe Zoo 2000Short FictionJill McCorkleMichelle RichmondThe Girl in the Fall-Away Dress 2000Novel Alexander ParsonsLeaving Disneyland 2000NonfictionSven BirkertsBrian LennonCity: An Essay 1999PoetryDorianne LauxConnie VoisineCathedral of the North 1999Short FictionLarry WoiwodeC.J. HribalThe Clouds in Memphis 1999NovelThomas DunnAaron Roy EvenBloodroot 1999NonfictionJudith KitchenLia PurpuraIncrease 1998PoetryMarvin BellEdward Kleinschmidt MayesWorks & Days 1998Short FictionDiane GlancyBonnie Jo CampbellWomen & Other Animals 1998NovelSt. Martin's PressNo winner 1998NonfictionKathleen NorrisMichael MartoneThe Flatness & Other Landscapes 1997PoetryArthur VogelsangJosie RawsonQuarry 1997Short FictionRobert BoswellToni GrahamThe Daiquiri Girls 1997NovelSt. Martin's PressNo winner 1997NonfictionJames GalvinPeter ChilsonRiding the Demon Road 1996PoetryJorie GrahamMichele GlazerIt Is Hard to Look At What We Came to Think 1996Short FictionGeorge CuomoCharlotte BaconA Private State'''|| |- | 1996||Nonfiction||Lucy Grealy||Marilyn Moriarty||Moses Unchained|| |- | 1995||Poetry||Olga Broumas||Rick Noguchi||The Ocean Inside Kenji Takezo|| |- | 1995||Short Fiction||Lorrie Moore||David Jauss||Black Maps|| |- | 1995||Novel||Ron Carlson||Steven Bloom||No New Jokes|| |- | 1995||Nonfiction||Adam Hochschild||Sue William Silverman||Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You|| |- | 1994||Poetry||William Matthews||Ruth Schwartz||Accordion Breathing and Dancing|| |- | 1994||Short Fiction||Elizabeth Tallent||A. Manette Ansay||Read This and Tell Me What It Says|| |- | 1994||Novel||Elizabeth Cox||Tracy Daugherty||What Falls Away|| |- | 1994||Nonfiction||Patricia Hampl||William Van Wert||Memory Links|| |- | 1993||Poetry||Carolyn Forché||Reginald Shepherd||Some Are Drowning|| |- | 1993||Short Fiction||Grace Paley||E. Bumas||Significance|| |- | 1993||Novel||Josephine Humphreys||Mary Gardner||Boat People|| |- | 1993||Nonfiction||Phillip Lopate||Michael Stephens||Green Dreams: Under the Influence of the Irish|| |- | 1992||Poetry||Lucille Clifton||Suzanne Gardinier||The New World|| |- | 1992||Short Fiction||Bret Lott||Daniel Lyons||The First Snow|| |- | 1992||Novel||Alison Lurie||William Cobb||The Fire Eaters|| |- | 1992||Nonfiction||Stanley Lindberg||Fred Setterberg||Unpaved Nations: Travels Through America's Literary Landscapes|| |- | 1991||Poetry||Ron Wallace (poet)||Betsy Sholl||The Red Line|| |- | 1991||Short Fiction||Antonya Nelson||Jack Driscoll||Wanting Only to be Heard|| |- | 1991||Novel||Richard Bausch||No winner |||| |- | 1991||Nonfiction||Scott Russell Sanders||Phyllis Barber||How I Got Cultured|| |- | 1990||Poetry||Ellen Bryant Voigt||Kathleen Peirce||A Living Room|| |- | 1990||Short Fiction||Ron Hansen||Karen Brennan||Wild Desire|| |- | 1990||Novel||Bob Shacochis||Lamar Herrin||The Lies Boys Tell|| |- | 1990||Nonfiction||||Philip Garrison||Augury|| |- | 1989||Poetry||Alice Fulton||Belle Waring||Refuge|| |- | 1989||Short Fiction||Charles Baxter||Susan Hubbard||Walking on Ice|| |- | 1988||Poetry||Gerald Stern||Christopher Davis||The Tyrant of the Past|| |- | 1988||Short Fiction||David Huddle||Roland Sodowsky||Things We Lose|| |- | 1988||Novel||Toby Olson||Duff Brenna||Mamie Beaver|| |- | 1988||Nonfiction||Gloria Emerson||Richard Terrill||Saturday Night in Baoding|| |- | 1987||Poetry||Linda Pastan||Robin Behn||Paper Bird|| |- | 1987||Short Fiction||François Camoin||Anne Finger||Basic Skills|| |- | 1987||Novel||John Williams||No winner|||| |- | 1987||Nonfiction||David McKain||Diane Ackerman||Spellbound: Growing Up in God's Country|| |- | 1986||Poetry||James Whitehead & Dara Wier||Judith Hemschemeyer||The Ride Home|| |- | 1986||Short Fiction||Robley Wilson, Jr., Irene Skolnick||Jesse Lee Kercheval||The Dogeater: Stories|| |- | 1986||Novel||George Cuomo||Kenn Robbins||Buttermilk Bottoms|| |- | 1986||Nonfiction||Irene Skolnick, Robley Wilson, Jr.||No winner|||| |- | 1985||Poetry||John Frederick Nims||No winner|||| |- | 1985||Short Fiction||Ann Beattie||No winner|||| |- | 1985||Novel||Margaret Atwood||Mack Faith||The Warrior's Gift|| |- | 1985||Nonfiction||Susan Fromberg Schaeffer||Scott R. Sanders||The Paradise of Bombs|| |- | 1984||Poetry||James Tate||Sandra Alcosser||A Fish to Feed All Hunger|| |- | 1984||Short Fiction||Paul Bowles||Rod Kessier||Off in Zimbabwe|| |- | 1984||Novel||George Garrett||William Holinger||The Fence-Walker|| |- | 1984||Nonfiction||Annie Dillard||Will Baker||Mountain Blood|| |- | 1983||Poetry||Josephine Jacobsen||Lisa Ress||Flight Patterns|| |- | 1983||Short Fiction||Donald Barthelme||Charles Baxter||Harmony of the World|| |-