Submissions Now Open for 2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize

OAKLAND, CA—New Literary Project is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the 2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. The $50,000 Prize intends to further an author in mid-career, not in explicit recognition of a single literary work. Submissions close on October 28, 2022.

This is the seventh such annual award offered by the not-for-profit New Literary Project, which inspires and equips writers across the generations—in the words of Joyce Carol Oates—to “write their hearts out.” Through a variety of innovative initiatives, including the Prize, the organization drives social change by unleashing artistic power across generations.

The Prize honors a mid-career author of fiction who has earned a distinguished reputation and the broad approbation and gratitude of American literary communities. The Prize recognizes emerged and continually emerging fiction authors of major consequence and promise—short stories and/or novels—at the relatively middle stage of a burgeoning career. Prize winners receive the award to encourage and support forthcoming work.

The Prize is offered by New Literary Project (NewLit), collaborating with its marquee partner, the University of California, Berkeley, English Department. Based in Oakland, California, NewLit appreciates the trust of generous individuals as well as altruistic family foundations and corporate donors who subscribe to its vision and sustain its multifaceted programs.

“Over the last six years, we have been deeply and consistently impressed by the nominated authors. Since 2017, we have longlisted 238 writers from 47 publishers, 31 of whom became finalists, and six JCO Prize Recipients. We very much look forward to this year’s nominees, and to collaborating with their publishers to celebrate their distinguished achievements.”
—Joseph Di Prisco, novelist, memoirist, poet, and NewLit founder and chair

General Submission Process for Joyce Carol Oates Prize

Publishers, editors, agents, publicists, marketers, and authors themselves may complete the online entry form and submit associated submission fees by 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on October 28, 2022 through the Submittable link.

● $55 entry fee for each submission of a mid-career author: that is, an author with at least two published full-length books of fiction composed in English (novels and/or short stories) and one who has yet to garner capstone recognition (such as a Pulitzer, NBA, or MacArthur)—that is, an author who is in the relatively middle stage of a burgeoning career.

• Accepted forms of payment include credit card and PayPal. (No checks permitted.) Please be prepared with payment information before beginning online submission process.

• Submissions include author’s current work of full-length fiction (novel or book of short stories) in a pdf. (Physical books will be later requested from authors designated on the Longlist.)

● Submissions deemed ineligible by the Project will still be subject to the stated entry fee. 
● NewLit may on its own initiative invite submissions.
● Each submission must list one person (with contact information, including email and phone) to coordinate all Prize–related matters. This person will be contacted in the case that an author becomes part of the Longlist or the subsequent shortlist of Finalists.
● Author must be made aware of and consent to prize entry; author’s email and contact information required.

Longlist, Shortlist, and Winner Announcements

●  Around November 1, 2022, New Literary Project will request physical books and additional information for authors identified for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize Longlist. Please do not send physical books or any additional information or materials unless specifically requested. Longlist books and materials must then be delivered no later than November 11, 2022 to remain eligible—sent to a postal address to be identified.

• 2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize Longlist announced on or before December 1, 2022.

• 2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize Finalists announced early March 2023.

• 2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize Recipient announced in April 2023.

2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize Recipient Guidelines

●  $50,000 awarded an author in recognition of mid-career literary achievement and future promise.
● Recipient collaborates with New Literary Project, sponsors, and the University of California, Berkeley, English Department on NewLit–related engagements during the Prize year.

• This is a working prize: the Prize Recipient will be in brief residence (7 or so days) at the University of California, Berkeley, and in the Bay Area during Fall 2023, a period to be mutually determined. During the residence the Recipient teaches classes at Cal, gives readings and talks, and makes public appearances.

• Author’s publisher commits support and good will toward the residence and other activities of the Prize Recipient and New Literary Project.

New Literary Project

Previous Joyce Carol Oates Prize Winners are expected to continue engagements with New Literary Project:

2017 T. Geronimo Johnson, author of Welcome to Braggsville (HarperCollins)
2018 Anthony Marra, author of The Tsar of Love and Techno (Hogarth)
2019 Laila Lalami, author of The Other Americans (Pantheon)
2020 Daniel Mason, author of The Winter Soldier (Little, Brown)
2021 Danielle Evans, author of The Office of Historical Corrections (Riverhead) 
2022 Lauren Groff, author of Matrix (Riverhead) 

New Literary Project, a not-for-profit created in 2016, fosters new literature, supports authors, and enhances the lives of readers, writers, educators, librarians, and high school and college students in diverse communities in California and the nation. Along with the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, the Project offers high school-age writers Simpson Writing Workshops at no cost, led by Simpson Fellows, UC Berkeley graduate student creative writing teachers; in Spring 2023 workshops are expected to take place at Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall, Girls Inc. Alameda County, Northgate High School, and elsewhere. In addition, NewLit publishes an internationally distributed annual anthology of Project-related artists, including Prize winners and finalists along with younger writers appearing in print for the first time.
Simpsonistas: Tales from New Literary Project Vol. 4 (Rare Bird) launches in Fall 2022. NewLit also offers Jack Hazard Summer Fellowships, $5,000 each for around twelve to fifteen creative writers teaching high school anywhere in the United States. 

For more information, please contact:

Diane Del Signore, Executive Director, (510) 919-0970

diane@newliteraryproject.org
https://www.newliteraryproject.org/