There are many types of literary prizes and awards, and they cover a wide range of topics. Most require submission of a work, usually an essay or poem, on a specific topic. Some of them are awarded on a yearly basis, while others are awarded only once in a lifetime. Despite their differences, most literary prizes share one common trait: They all have a long history and a rich legacy.
Many of the most prestigious literary prizes date back to the early 20th century and were founded through donations from people who loved the arts. They are also designed to honor the best in their fields. They are often awarded to writers who have made significant contributions to the development of the humanities and the social sciences, as well as to those who have contributed to the advancement of education.
The Sidney Prize, named after philosopher Sidney Hook, is one of the oldest of the prizes. It is a writing award for essays, op-eds and other works of nonfiction that demonstrate superior intellectual merit. It is awarded each year by the National Association of Scholars, which also offers a Sidney at its national conference to an individual who has distinguished themselves as a champion of academic freedom and integrity.
A Sidney winner can be a politician, an activist, a scientist or a writer. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges, which may include scholars from other universities and members of the public. The judges look for work that demonstrates the highest level of research and scholarly integrity, as well as the ability to communicate complex ideas to the general public.
The winner is announced at a ceremony at the University of Sydney. The winners are presented with a certificate and an engraved silver eagle, which is later added to the Laureate’s Chain of Honor. There are also several honorable mentions and awards for runners-up.
The 2021 Judith Wright Poetry and Neilma Sidney Short Story Prizes have been announced by Overland. Writer, bookseller and co-founder of Vre Books Ender Baskan has won the $6000 Judith Wright Poetry Prize for his ‘are you ready poem’, described by Overland as “a rallying cry for artists and writers to make something dangerous”. The $5000 Neilma Sidney short fiction prize was won by Saraid Taylor for her story ‘the labeller’, about a young athlete who uses a gift from her aunt to tame her world. The two runners up are Miriam Webster for ‘new directions in anthropomorphism’ and Mikee Donato Sto Domingo for ‘bite the hand’. The full shortlist can be seen on the Overland website.