One of the nation’s leading literary prizes, the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award, presented by The Mark Twain House & Museum, was established in 2016 with the generous sponsorship of acclaimed novelist and museum trustee, David Baldacci.  The award, bestowed annually upon a work of fiction published in the previous calendar year, carries a cash prize of $25,000.  It honors works of distinguished fiction that tell American stories in a distinctively American way, embodying Mark Twain’s irrepressible curiosity about human nature and society.  Entrants are submitted by a wide range of publishers, and judged by a panel of acclaimed writers, critics, and scholars.

148 eligible titles were submitted for consideration this year.  Each book was reviewed by multiple members of the reading committee (434 volunteers strong!), resulting in a Long List of 30 incredible books, announced in June.  After careful deliberation, a select committee further narrowed the list down to a Short List of 10 phenomenal titles, announced in August.  We have now arrived at the four finalists!

Who will win?

Dixon, Descending by Karen Outen, a gripping account of two brothers attempting to become the first Black American men to climb Mount Everest, and of the trip’s shattering aftermath.

The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck, a collection of elegant and intricately interconnected stories set in New England and exploring personal relationships and destinies across centuries (now a feature film).

Out of the Rain by J. Malcolm Garcia, a gritty journalistic novel, set in San Francisco, exploring the lives of homeless people and the social-service employees who help them.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe, an uproarious but also poignant comedy about a young single mom finding creative ways to stay afloat in Southern California.

For updates, visit The Mark Twain Award website.