The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards recognize the best in environmental writing in adult nonfiction and children’s literature. Awards are announced on Sigurd Olson’s birthday, April 4,
See a full list of winners 1991-present.
The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards recognize the best in environmental writing in adult nonfiction and children’s literature. Awards are announced on Sigurd Olson’s birthday, April 4,
See a full list of winners 1991-present.
Established in 1991, SONWA honors the literary legacy of Sigurd F. Olson by recognizing and encouraging contemporary writers who seek to carry on his tradition of nature writing. In 2004, organizers expanded the award to include children’s literature.
The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA) was established in 1991 to both honor the memory and literary legacy of Sigurd F. Olson and help support and encourage the work of contemporary writers who seek to carry on his tradition of quality nature writing. Over the years, the award competition has attracted entries from the best nature writers in the nation. The writing award is presented annually to an author whose book best captures the spirit of the human relationship with the natural world and promotes Olson’s values.
The literary nonfiction award is made possible through individual donations and an endowment from Eileen Long, former Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute Advisory Board member, who was instrumental in founding the SONWA.
If you would like to support this program, please give online or send your gift to:
Northland College
SONWA
1411 Ellis Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806.
The SONWA winners are announced each year on Sigurd Olson’s birthday, April 4.
The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award is given to a published book of literary nonfiction nature writing that captures the spirit of the human relationship with the natural world, and promotes the values that preserve or restore the land for future generations. The literary work must:
Note: coffee table books, guidebooks, or general references will not be considered.
$1,000 cash prize and an invitation to visit Northland College (all expenses paid) for an award ceremony and public reading.
Submissions can be made up to December 31, 2020. To enter submit eight copies of your publication to:
SONWA
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Northland College
1411 Ellis Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806
The Children’s Award is given to a published book of literary nature writing—nonfiction or fiction—appropriate for children up to age fourteen. The book should capture the spirit of the human relationship with nature and promote awareness, preservation, appreciation, or restoration of the natural world for future generations.
The winner of the Children’s Award receives a $500 cash prize. (If the winning book has an illustrator, who is not the author, the award will be split evenly between the two.)
Submissions can be made up to December 31, 2020. To enter submit nine copies of your publication to:
SONWA
Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Northland College
1411 Ellis Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806
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