ShelfEvidentNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
2026 Winner
2026 Shortlist & Longlist
Shortlist
Shortlist
Shortlist
Complete History
2020s
2010s
- 2019An American Marriage — Tayari Jones
- 2018The Annotated African American Folktales — Henry Louis Gates Jr.
- 2017The Book of Harlan — Bernice McFadden
- 2016Stand Your Ground — Victoria Christopher Murray
- 2015A Wanted Woman — Eric Jerome Dickey
- 2014Anybody's Daughter — Pamela Samuels Young
- 2013The Reverend's Wife — Kimberla Lawson Roby
- 2012Say Amen, Again — ReShonda Tate Billingsley
- 2011Getting to Happy — Terry McMillan
- 2010The Long Fall — Walter Mosley
2000s
- 2009In the Night of the Heat — Blair Underwood
- 2008Blonde Faith — Walter Mosley
- 2007Baby Brother's Blues — Pearl Cleage
- 2006Breaking the Cycle — Zane
- 2005Woman, Thou Art Loosed! The Novel — T.D. Jakes
- 2004Love — Toni Morrison
- 2003Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea — Nikki Giovanni
- 2002A Day Late and a Dollar Short — Terry McMillan
- 2001For the Love of Money — Omar Tyree
About the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction is presented annually at the NAACP Image Awards ceremony, one of the most prominent awards ceremonies celebrating the achievements of people of color in the arts. The literary fiction category recognizes outstanding novels and short story collections. The NAACP Image Awards have been presented since 1967, with the literary fiction category established in the mid-1990s. Unlike many literary prizes that are juried by critics, the NAACP Image Awards are voted on by NAACP members, making them a reflection of community recognition. Past winners include Walter Mosley (3 wins), Terry McMillan, Toni Morrison, Pearl Cleage, and Tayari Jones.
Frequently Asked Questions
- It is an annual award presented at the NAACP Image Awards ceremony recognizing outstanding fiction by and about people of color. Winners are selected by NAACP members through popular vote.
- The fiction-specific literary category was established in the mid-1990s, with the first recorded fiction winner in 1996. The broader NAACP Image Awards have been presented since 1967.
- Unlike most literary awards that use expert juries, NAACP Image Award winners are chosen by popular vote from NAACP members, making it a community-driven honor.
- Walter Mosley holds the record with three wins (2008, 2010, 2021). Terry McMillan has won twice (2002, 2011). Toni Morrison won in 2004 for Love.
- The NAACP Image Awards span film, television, music, and literature. Literary categories include Fiction, Nonfiction, Debut Author, Children's, and Poetry.