Authors of original e-books take heart: your book is now eligible to be considered for the National Book Awards. Although e-books will not have a separate category, the National Book Foundation announced that e-books published solely in electronic format can be submitted in the traditional four categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people's literature.
Neil Baldwin, executive director of the NBF, said, "With books appearing in a new electronic format, the board of directors believes appropriate consideration should be given to e-books. Our decision ensures that all important published literary work—whatever the format—will be part of the playing field."
E-books eligible for consideration include full-length works, e-book short story collections and e-book poetry collections by one author. Submissions must provide information about where the e-book can be downloaded or purchased on disc, and publishers must also submit an 8 ½" × 11" printed hard copy of the digital work.
The winners of the National Book Awards will be announced in New York City November 14, 2001.
