The Thurber Prize for American Humor in Writing Submissions
Awarded annually, The Thurber Prize for American Humor in Writing is one of the highest recognitions of the art of humor writing in the United States.
The Thurber Prize is presented each year in James Thurber’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio. During this spectacular evening of humor, attendees are entertained with a host of hilarious surprises, including appearances from the writing finalists/winner and the cartoon art winner.
The award show culminates with the announcement of the winners of The Thurber Prize for American Humor in writing and cartoon art.
Submit for the 2027 Thurber Prize in Writing
Humor books published in 2025 are eligible, as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Submit by May 31, 2026.
Please read the full eligibility rules before submitting.
Submit for the 2028 Thurber Prize in Writing
Humor books published in 2026 are eligible, as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Submit by May 31, 2027.
Check back in early 2026 for the eligibility rules and submission link.
FAQs
‣ What do I need to submit for consideration?
Required:
1) Complete the online entry form. The form asks for information about the book, the author, and submission contacts. You must upload a PDF version of your book, to be used solely for judging purposes (PDFs may be watermarked). If you represent multiple authors, please submit one entry form per book.
2) Pay $75 submission fee. If you are using a credit card, you will be asked for payment on the online entry form. If you are mailing a check, complete the online entry form, then mail your check to Thurber House at the address below. Submission fees are non-refundable.
3) Mail five printed copies of the book to:
Thurber House
Attn: Thurber Prize
77 Jefferson Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
Please note:
Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) are not eligible for judging purposes. You must send the officially released book.
If you represent multiple authors, you may enclose multiple submissions in the same box.
If you are paying by check, please enclose your check with your books whenever possible.
‣ What’s the submission/judging/award timeline?
Here's how the entire process works:
Submissions typically open in January or February for books being published that year (for example purposes, let's say you have a book published in the year 2050).
Submissions are due by May 31 of the following year for books published in the previous calendar year (in our example, your book published in the year 2050 is due by May 31, 2051).
Thurber Prize judging begins shortly after the May 31 submission deadline and all books are received. There are two rounds of judging.
Semi-finalists are typically notified in October (in our example, this would be October 2051).
Finalists are typically notified in January or February (in our example, this would be January or February 2052).
The award show is held in April or May (in our example, this would be April or May 2052).
‣ I’m a cartoonist. How do I submit for the Thurber Prize for American Humor in Cartoon Art?
The Thurber Prize for American Humor in Cartoon Art differs from the Thurber Prize in Writing in that it is a nomination-based process. We do not accept submissions for the Thurber Prize in Cartoon Art.
Cartoon Art nominees are typically notified in late fall, and the winner is selected in January or February. The award show is held several months later in April or May.
‣ I still have questions.
Please contact us at thurberprize@thurberhouse.org, and we’ll be happy to help.