First round coming late 2019 or early 2020!

〈 WHO ARE THESE AWARDS FOR?

Primarily those who write in the literary genre, as well as poets. This includes 'upmarket', which isn't a genre, but a term used by agents for books that fall in between literary and commercial/genre fiction. (There'll be an information guide detailing and defining these genres soon!)

〈 WHY ONLY THESE GENRES?

Literary is almost completely neglected in award contests, despite being an important and ambitious genre. There are poetry contests but not as many as fiction awards, so it needs to be included. I'm limiting the genres because there are already endless contests that don't include literary and upmarket fiction. These authors deserve more recognition!

〈 WHY 'THE ELIOT AWARDS'?

This is in honor of my favorite poet T.S. Eliot. Both his poetry and prose exemplifies that mysterious and magical blend of ethereal beauty, emotion, and technical prowess. This is what I aim to find.

❝I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown

Till human voices wake us, and we drown. ❞

─ The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, by T.S. Eliot

founder: @alicehausling