Langum Prize in Historical Fiction

A prize to encourage and reward excellent American historical fiction is a natural element in our effort to make the rich history of America accessible to the educated general reader. The David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction is offered annually to the best book in American historical fiction that is both excellent fiction and excellent history. Any press may publish the work, with the exceptions that the book may not be self-published or published by a subsidized publisher.

A prize and $1,000 honorarium is awarded every year for the best book in American Historical Fiction published in the preceding year. The Trust purchases many books and distributes them to the Selection Committee. However, any publisher or author may ensure our consideration by submitting a copy directly to us at the address indicated on our Contact page. The general deadline is December 1st for the entire year. If we wish to consider a book published in December we will ask the publisher for an advanced reading copy or proof pages. We issue shortlists of contenders in July and January of each year.