William Saroyan International Prize for Writing

The Stanford Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation jointly award the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, a biennial competition for newly-published books.

The prize commemorates the life, legacy and intentions of William Saroyan - author, artist, dramatist, composer - and is intended to encourage new or emerging writers, rather than to recognize established literary figures.

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2020 Saroyan Prize (for books published in 2018 and 2019). The deadline for entries is January 31, 2020. Please read our FAQ page for complete information about eligibility requirements.

2018 winners

2018 finalists

Entry form

Read about the William Saroyan Foundation

You are here

William Saroyan International Prize for Writing

2018 winners

2018 finalists