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NM Book Awards

The New Mexico Book Awards, a nearly two-decades-old book competition, is in its second year under management by New Mexico Writers. The competition’s mission is, in the words of Paul Rhetts, founder of the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards, “to uncover and honor the best in New Mexico books.”

Authors, designers, publishers, and publicists from New Mexico (or any book with a creative connection to New Mexico) may enter the New Mexico Book Awards.

The 2026 New Mexico Book Awards is closed for entries.

2026 Winners and Finalists will be announced in early October, here on this web page and in the October issue of The New Mexico Writer. Save the date for a 2026 New Mexico Book Awards banquet being planned in Las Cruces for the evening of October 2.

Sign up for The New Mexico Writer to stay informed about the New Mexico Book Awards.

NM Book Awards Information for 2026

Eligibility and Entry Criteria

  • Open to authors, designers, publishers, and publicists anywhere.
  • Books must have a direct creative connection to New Mexico or the greater Navajo Nation (for example, author, publisher, subject, cover design).
  • Books with a publication date or copyright date between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025 are eligible.
  • Print books written in English and/or Spanish are accepted.
  • Winning books of a previous New Mexico Book Award are not eligible for re-submission; others may be re-submitted.
  • Submission of a single book to multiple categories is accepted.
  • Multiple books by a single entrant are accepted.
  • Judges are eligible to enter but may not judge in their entry category.
  • Books created using generative artificial intelligence (AI) and similar technology are not eligible. *see note below
*Book content should be created by a human and not generated by AI. Minimal use of AI-assistance tools, such as AI applications that check spelling/grammar or for brainstorming/research, is acceptable. Book covers entered into a Cover Design category should be designed by a human and not wholly generated by AI. A human designer using AI technologies as a tool to assist in the creation of artwork for the cover is acceptable, provided the human artist has control over the final artwork and the artwork substantially comprises human creation.

Book entries are with or making their way to judges. Judges can be booksellers, librarians, teachers, authors, publishers, agents, or avid readers. Each book will be read by at least three judges. Judges will typically have 2-3 months for reading and scoring their assigned books. This is a volunteer position, but judges may keep or donate the books they receive.

The deadline for judging is August 31, 2026.

Please email us with your NM Book Awards judging questions.

  1. Anthology
  2. Anthropology/Archaeology
  3. Arts (fine art, music, or photography)
  4. Autobiography & Memoir
  5. Biography
  6. BIPOC Author or Subject
  7. Business & Career
  8. Coffee Table Book
  9. Cookbook/Gardening/Crafts/Hobby/Home
  10. Debut Book by Author or Publisher
  11. Health (mind/body/spirit)
  12. History
  13. Humor
  14. LGBTQIA+ Author or Subject
  15. Multicultural
  16. Nature/Environment/Animals/Pets
  17. Nonfiction – general
  18. Parenting & Family
  19. Philosophy/Religion/New Age
  20. Poetry
  21. Poetry – anthology
  22. Political & Current Events
  23. Self-Help & Guides
  24. Sports & Recreation
  25. Travel
  26. True Crime
  27. Fiction – action and adventure
  28. Fiction – cozy mystery
  29. Fiction – crime
  30. Fiction – fantasy
  31. Fiction – historical
  32. Fiction – literary
  33. Fiction – mystery
  34. Fiction – romance
  35. Fiction – satire
  36. Fiction – sci-fi
  37. Fiction – short story collection
  38. Fiction – thriller/suspense
  39. Young Adult (high school)
  40. Middle Grade (grades 3-8)
  41. Young Readers (grades 1-3)
  42. Children’s Picture Book
  43. Cover Design (6×9 or smaller)
  44. Cover Design (larger than 6×9)
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