Literary award · Netherlands · since 1994

Libris Literature Prize

Annual Dutch literary award for the best original Dutch novel from the previous year. Spans from 1994 until present, named after its sponsor Libris, and modelled after the Booker Prize. Established 1994 in Netherlands.

About Libris Literature Prize

The Libris Literature Award or Libris Prize (Dutch: Libris Literatuur Prijs) is a prize for novels originally written in Dutch. Established in 1993, it is awarded annually since 1994 by Libris, an association of independent Dutch booksellers, and amounts to €50,000 for the winner. It is modeled on the Booker Prize, having a longlist and a selection process which shortlists six books. The author of each shortlisted book receives €2,500. Shortlisted authors are heavily promoted in individual Libris book stores, providing important commercial opportunities for authors and booksellers. Typically, the (independent) jury's selection is discussed and criticized in the Dutch press, providing even more exposure. The Libris Literature Award with the (Belgian) Golden Owl and the (Dutch) AKO Literatuurprijs make up the "big three" literature awards for Dutch-language books.

From the Wikipedia article “Libris Prize”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Recent winners

YearWinnerWinning work
2024Rob van EssenIk kom hier nog op terug
2023Anjet DaanjeHet lied van ooievaar en dromedaris
2022Mariken HeitmanWormmaan
2021Jeroen BrouwersCliënt E. Busken
2020Sander KollaardUit het leven van een hond
2019Rob van EssenDe goede zoon
2018Murat Işık—
2017Alfred Birney—
2016Connie Palmen—

From Wikidata; the list may be incomplete for some years.

Eligibility and entering

Check the official rules of the Libris Literature Prize for the current eligibility window, accepted formats, residency or language requirements and any entry fee. For most established prizes the publisher submits on the author's behalf, often with a limit on entries per imprint.

If you are self-published, look for an explicit statement that independently published books are accepted, and budget for entry fees and copies for judges.

Sources & data