Archive · 25 Sep 2026
National Book Awards 2026 Longlists Highlight Diverse Literary Works
The National Book Foundation has announced books competing for the 2026 National Book Awards.
The longlists cover fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people’s literature.
The winners will be honored at a ceremony in New York on November 18.
Writer Salman Rushdie will receive a special lifetime-achievement medal.
One featured book is The Disappearers by Marlon James.
It is set in Jamaica in 1988.
In the story, a mob attacks eight men rehearsing the country’s first gay play.
Years later, one survivor searches for the others and tries to understand what happened to them.
The National Book Foundation announced its 2026 longlists for five literary categories.
Winners will be honored at a ceremony in New York on November 18.
Salman Rushdie will receive the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
Marlon James’s The Disappearers follows survivors of a violent attack on Jamaica’s first gay play.
The novel explores grief, fear, hatred, rage, memory and possible vengeance after the attack.
- Who
- The National Book Foundation announced the longlists; Marlon James is the author of the featured novel, and Salman Rushdie will receive a special medal.
- What
- The 2026 National Book Awards longlists were announced across five categories, with winners to be honored later.
- When
- The longlists are for 2026, and the awards ceremony is scheduled for November 18.
- Where
- The ceremony will take place in New York; The Disappearers is set in Jamaica.
- Why
- The longlists identify books competing for the National Book Awards, while Rushdie is being honored for his contribution to American letters.
- Organizer
- National Book Foundation
- Award year
- 2026
- Categories
- Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people’s literature
- Ceremony
- November 18 in New York
- Special honoree
- Salman Rushdie
- Honor
- Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
- Featured title
- The Disappearers by Marlon James
- Setting
- Jamaica in 1988