About ShelfEvident
ShelfEvident exists to help readers discover their next great book through the lens of literary awards. We believe that the best route to a trustworthy recommendation is the considered judgement of expert panels — and we've built a home where those judgements are gathered, explained, and made browsable.
Whether you're a devoted follower of the Booker Prize, a curious newcomer to the world of literary fiction, or a parent hunting for the perfect read for a young book lover, ShelfEvident brings every major award into one warm, welcoming place.
How It Works
We track the awards
Our team follows dozens of major literary prizes worldwide, recording longlists, shortlists, and winners as soon as they are announced. Every entry is linked to a book and author profile so you can explore in any direction.
We surface connections
Books often appear across multiple awards. Our discovery tools let you find multi-prize contenders, the most-awarded authors, and remarkable sweeps where one book won several prizes in the same year.
We help you buy
Every book page links directly to independent booksellers (Bookshop.org first), Amazon, Audible, and Libro.fm so you can read or listen in whatever format suits you.
We keep you informed
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter for longlists, shortlists, and winner announcements the moment they are released, alongside curated reading recommendations.
Which Awards We Cover
We focus on awards that meet the following criteria:
- Awarded by an independent, credible judging panel
- Recognised by publishers, booksellers, or the literary community at large
- Have a consistent track record of at least two years of awards
- Cover single works of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry (not lifetime achievement)
We're always looking to expand our coverage. If you think we're missing an important award, please let us know using the request form below.
Affiliate Links
ShelfEvident uses affiliate links to help cover the cost of running the site. When you buy a book through a link on ShelfEvident, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are never influenced by affiliate relationships.
Privacy
We collect only the information needed to operate ShelfEvident: email addresses for newsletter subscribers, and anonymous analytics to understand how the site is used. We do not sell your data, and we never share it with third parties except the services (Beehiiv for email, Vercel for hosting) required to deliver the site. You may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time, and we will promptly delete your email address on request.
Get in Touch
We love hearing from readers, authors, publishers, and prize administrators. Whether you've spotted an error, have a suggestion, or just want to say hello, reach us at hello@shelfevident.com.
Request an Award
Know of a prize we haven't covered yet? We rely on the literary community to help us discover gaps in our coverage. Send us the award name, its awarding body, and a link to the official website and we'll investigate.
Award request form coming soon — for now, please email us directly.