Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award

The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award is a literary prize given annually by the Mark Twain House. It celebrates writing that represents "modern voices that define our current America," similarly to how Adventures of Huckleberry Finn played an iconic role in "establishing a uniquely American voice in literature."^[2]

For award for children's literature, see Mark Twain Readers Award.

Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award
Awarded for	a novel or book of modern voice(s) that define contemporary America
Sponsored by	David Baldacci, Michelle Baldacci, and Bank of America[1]
Country	United States
Presented by	Mark Twain House
Eligibility	Normally U.S. citizens or American writers. Writers who have authored a book that taps into the core of current American society or values.
Reward(s)	US$25,000
First award	2017
Currently held by	Alice McDermott
Website	Official website

T. C. Boyle received the inaugural honor in 2017 for The Harder They Come, and writers received the accolade annually since then, picked from shortlists of approximately five authors per year. The most recent winner is Alice McDermott, who obtained US$25,000 as cash prize.^[1]

Winners

Year	Author	Work	Ref.
2017	T. C. Boyle	The Harder They Come	[3]
2018	Bill Beverly	Dodgers	[4]
2019	Jesmyn Ward	Sing, Unburied, Sing	[5]
2020	Ocean Vuong	On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous	[6]
2021	Stephen Graham Jones	The Only Good Indians	[7]
2022	Dawnie Walton	The Final Revival of Opal & Nev	[8]
2023	Jennifer Haigh	Mercy Street	[9]
2024	Alice McDermott	Absolution	[10]