Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award

Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award

From his home in Hartford, Mark Twain changed the way the world sees America and the way Americans see themselves.

Part of what makes Mark Twain’s work such an iconic piece of American history is the part he played in establishing a uniquely American voice in literature – especially with his 1885 masterpiece Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Just as Huckleberry Finn defined the voice of 19th-century America, The Mark Twain House & Museum looks to recognize modern voices that define our current America.

First presented in 2016, the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award honors a work of fiction from the previous calendar year that speaks with an “American Voice” about American experiences.

The award carries a $25,000 cash prize underwritten by David and Michelle Baldacci.

Join us on November 3 at 6pm for the American Voice in Literature Award Celebration with Jennifer Haigh and David Baldacci by CLICKING HERE.

To read about this year’s panel of Judges, click HERE.

For more information contact Omar Acevedo at omar.acevedo@marktwainhouse.org.

MTAVL Winners

2023 – Jennifer Haigh for Mercy Street

2022 – Dawnie Walton for The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

2021 – Stephen Graham Jones for The Only Good Indians.

2020 – Ocean Vuong for On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

2019 – Jesmyn Ward for Sing, Unburied, Sing

2018 – Bill Beverly for Dodgers

2017 – T.C. Boyle for The Harder They Come

To join us on November 3 at 6pm for the American Voice in Celebration Dinner with 2023 winner Jennifer Haigh and bestselling author David Baldacci, click HERE. 

For information on this year’s celebration, contact Dawn Veillette Diana, Director of Development.

Download the sponsorship packet HERE.

The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award is sponsored by: