Maya Angelou Book Award

In 2020, the Kansas City Public Library established the Maya Angelou Book Award with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, and Northwest Missouri State, Truman State, and Southeast Missouri State universities.

Angelou was an acclaimed, Missouri-born memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist, and the prize celebrates contemporary writers whose work demonstrates a commitment to social justice. The award alternates annually between poetry and fiction.

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2025 Award Snapshot

In 2025 the Maya Angelou Book Award will be given to a work of poetry. Fiction submissions are not eligible for the 2025 award.

Submissions open: January 15, 2025
Submissions close: April 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CDT
Announcement of winner: Fall 2025
Book tour and ceremony: Spring 2026

For Writers

Each year, one writer will win $10,000, conduct a reading tour of partner colleges, universities and libraries, and be recognized in a ceremony sponsored by the Kansas City Public Library, the University of Missouri and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Eligibility

  • Entries must come from publishers. Authors may not submit their works independently.
  • Works with a publication date in 2024 or a scheduled publication date through November 2025 are eligible.
  • Only full-length poetry collections will be considered.
  • We are currently unable to consider translations.
  • Entrants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the United States.
  • Entrants must be available for a two-week reading tour at partnering educational institutions in Missouri. The award winner and partner institutions will collaborate on the tour schedule.
  • Entrants must not be employees of a Missouri college or university that co-sponsors this award, or an employee of the Kansas City Public Library.
  • Publishers may be asked for additional physical copies of titles that are selected for the shortlist.
  • Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. CDT on April 7, 2025. Please note that entries are not considered complete until an electronic manuscript has been received by the committee.
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