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 bestselling author and trustee of The Mark Twain House & Museum, David Baldacci.
Learn about the American Voice in Literature Award Celebration, HERE.
For more information contact Omar Acevedo at omar.acevedo@marktwainhouse.org.
2023 Short List Announced!
The Mark Twain House & Museum is proud to announce the titles for the Short List for The 2023 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award! The award honors an exemplary work of fiction from the previous calendar year that speaks with an “American Voice” about American experiences, much like Twain’s masterwork, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Over 120 eligible titles were submitted for consideration. Each book was reviewed by multiple members of the reading committee, resulting in a Long List of 35 incredible books announced in June 2023. After careful deliberation, a select committee has further narrowed the list down to a Short List of 10 phenomenal titles. These novels are being read by our final panel of judges who will ultimately decide the winner of the 2023 award.
THE 2023 MARK TWAIN AMERICAN VOICE IN LITERATURE SHORT LIST
BLISS MONTAGE by Ling Ma
DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver
MERCY STREET by Jennifer Haigh
MOTHER COUNTRY by Jacinda Townsend
NIGHT OF THE LIVING REZ by Morgan Tally
THE HERO OF THIS BOOK by Elizabeth McCracken
THE KINGDOM OF SAND by Andrew Holleran
THE RABBIT HUTCH by Tess Gunty
TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin
TRUST by Hernan Diaz
The winning title will be announced in October and the award, along with its $25,000 prize, will be conferred by its benefactor David Baldacci at the American Voice Award Banquet on November 3 at The Mark Twain House & Museum. Tickets and information for the ceremony will be available shortly.
The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award is sponsored by:
David Baldacci and Bank of America
The 2022 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award Winner
Congratulations to our 2022 American Voice in Literature Award winner, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton. From 60 eligible titles published in 20121 submitted for consideration this year, we celebrated the winning work of fiction at an engaging evening of dinner and discussion with the author.
View photos from the event HERE.
Previous Winners
Stephen Graham Jones for The Only Good Indians.
Ocean Vuong for On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
Jesmyn Ward for Sing, Unburied, Sing
Bill Beverly for Dodgers
T.C. Boyle for The Harder They Come