New Literary Project is pleased to announce that submissions are open for its 2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize (JCO Prize). The not-for-profit New Literary Project (NewLit) inspires and equips writers across the generations—in the words of Joyce Carol Oates—to “write their hearts out.” Its vision is to drive social change, unleash artistic power, and lift up a literate, democratic society. NewLit was created in 2016, and partners with the University of California, Berkeley, English Department. The Oakland, California-based Project fosters new literature, supports authors, and enhances the lives of readers, writers, educators, librarians, and students in diverse communities in California and the nation.

The $50,000 JCO Prize honors a mid-career author of fiction who has earned a distinguished reputation and the 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. To be eligible, a mid-career author has published at least two full-length works of fiction (short stories and/or novels), and has not yet achieved capstone recognition (such as an NBA, Pulitzer, etc.). Prize winners receive the award to encourage and support forthcoming work. New Literary Project is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the 2024 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. The $50,000 Prize intends to celebrate an author of fiction in mid-career, beyond recognition of a single literary work. Prize winners receive the award to encourage and support forthcoming work. Writers who have published at least two full-length works of fiction (novels and/or short stories) are eligible. Submissions close on October 27th, 2023.

This would be the eighth such annual award offered by the not-for-profit New Literary Project (NewLit), founded in 2015, 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, unleashes artistic power, and lifts up a literate, democratic society.

The Prize honors a mid-career author of fiction who has already earned a distinguished reputation and the approbation and deep gratitude of American literary communities. The Prize recognizes emerged and still emerging fiction authors of major consequence and promise—short stories and/or novels—at the relatively middle stage of a burgeoning career. 

The Prize is offered by 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.