About the Award
The Maya Angelou Book Award was founded in 2020 to honor the legacy of Missouri-born author Maya Angelou. The award recognizes contemporary authors whose work demonstrates a commitment to social justice in America or the world. The Maya Angelou Book Award recognizes works of poetry or fiction in alternating years.
In 2022, the Maya Angelou Book Award will be given to a work of fiction. Poetry submissions are not eligible for the 2022 award.
Four finalists have been selected for this year's award:
- The Trees by Percival Everett.
- Hell of a Book by Jason Mott.
- An Ordinary Wonder by Buki Papillon.
- The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade.
Learn more about the 2022 finalists
2022 Award Snapshot
Submissions open: February 8, 2022
Submissions close: April 1, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. CDT
Announcement of winner: Fall 2022
Book tour and ceremony: TBD
For Writers
Each year, one writer will win $10,000, conduct a reading tour of Missouri 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.