2026 Sports Book of the Year

2026 Sports Book of the Year Calendar

23rd November 2025: Entry opens. Entry forms can be downloaded from the link above.

1st November 2026: Deadline for entry forms to be received.

Late November/Early December: Winners announced.

The AmericanWritingAwards.com "Sports Book of the Year" award is dedicated to rewarding excellence in sports writing. An esteemed team of judges made up of media members, professional athletes, college professors, and hall of fame coaches choose 1st Place and Runner-Up winners--American Writing Awards judges reserve the right to award multiple 1st Place or Runner-Up winners if they believe more than one piece of work merits recognition.  Winners are announced in late November or early December.

Any Sports Writer between the ages of 18-120 can enter their book. All books of sport published between 2023-2027 are allowed entry. If you have questions as to whether your book qualifies as a "Sports Book,"  email us @ info@americanwritingawards.com. The deadline to enter is November 1st, 2026. Entries must have a publication date between 2023-2027. Academic, commercial, small press, self-published books, and unpublished manuscripts are all accepted. Electronic submission is the only form of submission. Entries are judged based on multiple writing criteria, which include an author's story-telling ability, transitions, hooks, pacing, character development, dialogue, grammar, punctuation, storyline, and the overall impact it has on our judges. Check the entry form for more details.

1st Place and Runner-Up winners of the AmericanWritingAwards.com "Sports Book of the Year" award will receive an official high-resolution seal for promotional use and possible cover placement. The results of the competition will be published and promoted on AmericanWritingAwards.com and its different media channels, the authors will be featured in the "Featured Author" section of the website, the press release of the winners will be submitted to newspapers and media nationwide as well as referred to talent agents in New York and Los Angeles for possible manuscript review. Get your book the attention it deserves!