 | This article is missing information about shortlisted works. (November 2024) |
| Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | a novel or book of modern voice(s) that define contemporary America |
| Sponsored by | David Baldacci, Michelle Baldacci, and Bank of America[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Mark Twain House |
| Eligibility | Normally U.S. citizens or American writers. Writers who have authored a book that taps into the core of current American society or values. |
| Reward(s) | US$25,000 |
| First award | 2017 |
| Currently held by | Alice McDermott |
| Website | Official website |
The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award is a literary prize given annually by the Mark Twain House. It celebrates writing that represents "modern voices that define our current America," similarly to how Adventures of Huckleberry Finn played an iconic role in "establishing a uniquely American voice in literature."[2]
T. C. Boyle received the inaugural honor in 2017 for The Harder They Come, and writers received the accolade annually since then, picked from shortlists of approximately five authors per year. The most recent winner is Alice McDermott, who obtained US$25,000 as cash prize.[1]
Winners
[edit]| Year | Author | Work | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | T. C. Boyle | The Harder They Come | [3] |
| 2018 | Bill Beverly | Dodgers | [4] |
| 2019 | Jesmyn Ward | Sing, Unburied, Sing | [5] |
| 2020 | Ocean Vuong | On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous | [6] |
| 2021 | Stephen Graham Jones | The Only Good Indians | [7] |
| 2022 | Dawnie Walton | The Final Revival of Opal & Nev | [8] |
| 2023 | Jennifer Haigh | Mercy Street | [9] |
| 2024 | Alice McDermott | Absolution | [10] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Alice McDermott Wins 2024 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award - Mark Twain House". marktwainhouse.org. 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "T.C. Boyle | The PEN/Faulkner Foundation". www.penfaulkner.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Courant, Susan Dunne | Hartford (2017-11-02). "'Dodgers' Author Bill Beverly Wins Mark Twain American Voice Award". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Courant, Hartford (2019-05-09). "Jesmyn Ward to receive Mark Twain American Voice award". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Courant, Susan Dunne | Hartford (2020-04-16). "Ocean Vuong, born in Vietnam and raised in Connecticut, wins Mark Twain American Voice award for 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous'". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Mark Twain Award Goes to Stephen Graham Jones". Publishers Weekly. 8 Nov 2021. Retrieved 12 Aug 2025.
- ^ Merlene, Kate. "The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award Short List Announced | Book Pulse". Library Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Cooper, Rand Richards (2024-07-01). "Meet Jennifer Haigh, Winner of 2023 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award | BookTrib". Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Alice McDermott Wins Mark Twain Award". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2024-11-21.