PRESS RELEASE
eBooks Now Eligible for National Book Awards

CHICAGO -- May 31, 2001 -- National Book Foundation Will Consider eBook Submissions Along With Traditionally Printed Books in Established Award Categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature

Acknowledging the presence of electronic publishing within the trade book industry, the Board of Directors of the National Book Foundation announced today that eBooks will now be considered for the National Book Award, our nation's most prestigious literary prize. The announcement was made by Neil Baldwin, Executive Director of the Foundation, at BookExpo America - the annual gathering of booksellers, authors, publishers, agents, printers, distributors, and others in the book world.

Mr. Baldwin emphasized that eBooks will not be considered as a separate category, but will - at the recommendation of the Board of Directors - be read within the four existing award categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature. The 20 Finalists for this year's Awards will be announced on October 11, and the Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony and dinner on Wednesday, November 14 at the New York Marriott Marquis in midtown Manhattan. The evening benefits the many educational outreach programs sponsored by the Foundation for readers of all ages across the country.

"Ever since they were established in 1950, the National Book Awards have recognized and celebrated the best in contemporary American literature," Mr. Baldwin said. "The four classic literary genres within which the Awards are given create a solid structure to honor this work. Now, with books appearing in a new electronic format, the Board of Directors believes appropriate consideration should be given to eBooks. Our decision ensures that all important published literary work - whatever the format - will be part of the playing field."

National Book Award judges will consider eBooks according to the same standard with which they evaluate all works submitted: literary merit. Publishers submitting eBooks for a National Book Award must send a hard copy of the work, printed and bound on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.

Those eBook titles eligible include full-length works of fiction and general nonfiction; eBook collections of short stories; and eBook collections of poetry by one author. All eligible eBooks must have been published only in electronic form during the eligibility year: eBooks published simultaneously or previously in printed form will not be eligible. If an eBook is published simultaneously as a traditionally printed book during the eligibility year, the printed book is eligible for submission.

In order to be considered, each eBook submission must provide information detailing where the book is available for downloading (or a disc/CD copy of the book).

For any book - traditionally printed or electronic - to be eligible for a 2001 National Book Award, it must have been published in the United States between December 1, 2000 and November 30, 2001 and must have been written by a United States citizen. Each of the Finalists for the 2001 National Book Award will receive a bronze medallion and $1,000 cash award from the National Book Foundation. In addition, the Winners in each category will receive a $10,000 cash award and crystal sculpture.

Updated information regarding the National Book Foundation and the 2001 National Book Awards can be found on the Foundation's Web site, www.nationalbook.org.

Official guidelines and entry rules for this year's Awards will be mailed to publishers on June 4. Guidelines and entry rules will be available on the Foundation's Web site for referral purposes only. To submit a title for Award consideration, publishers must request a printed copy of the guidelines. Contact the Foundation by phone (212) 685-0261, fax (212) 213-6570, or email natbkfdn@mindspring.com.

Important note: New address. As of May 23, 2001, the National Book Foundation is located at 95 Madison Avenue, Room 709, New York, NY 10016. Telephone and fax numbers remain the same.

CONTACT: Ellen Ryder Communications
Ellen Ryder, 212/226-6563
ellenryder@mindspring.com

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