Welcome

The Eric Hoffer Book Award honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers. Since its inception, the Hoffer has become one of the largest international book awards for small, academic, and independent presses. (learn more)

The Prizes

A grand prize of is awarded annually. In addition, Eric Hoffer Book Award honors include various prizes within twenty-four all-inclusive categories, separate press distinctions, the Montaigne Medal, the da Vinci Eye, First Horizon Award, and the Medal Provocateur. (learn more)

Book Nomination

Books are submitted to the Hoffer Award through our easy nomination process by our annual deadline and according to guidelines. A single category registration qualifies a book for all prize consideration. The early discount registration deadline is , . The final registration deadline is January 21, . (learn more)

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News

[May 15, 2025] Eric Hoffer Book Award Results: The 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Honorees have been announced.

[May 9, 2025] Category Finalists: The 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalists have been posted.

[May 2, 2025] Grand Prize Short List: The 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize Short List has been posted.

[April 28 2025] First Horizon Winners: The 2025 First Horizon Winners for best debut authors.

[April 21, 2025] Medal Provocateur Winner: The 2025 Medal Provocateur Winner for cutting-edge poetry.

[April 14, 2025] Montaigne Medal Winners: The 2025 Montaigne Medal Winners for most thought-provoking books.

[April 7, 2025] da Vinci Eye Winners: The 2025 da Vinci Eye Winners for superior cover art.

[April 2, 2025] First Horizon Finalists: The 2025 First Horizon Finalists for best debut authors.

[March 17, 2025] Medal Provocateur Finalists: The 2025 Medal Provocateur Finalists for cutting-edge poetry.

[March 10, 2025] Montaigne Medal Finalists: The 2025 Montaigne Medal Finalists for most thought-provoking books.

[March 3, 2025] da Vinci Eye Finalists: The 2025 da Vinci Eye Finalists for superior cover art.

[February 27, 2025] The 2025 Award Schedule: The 2025 award schedule has been posted.

[February 1, 2025] The 2026 Award Registration is Now Open: Early discount registration until December 10, 2025. (register now)

News Archive

[August 1, 2023] Grand Prize now $5000: The 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award grand prize is now $5,000.

[November 11, 2022] Eric Hoffer Award Advance Registration: Send your book(s) from a separate source by pre-registering your award entries in advance.

[June 28, 2021] Beware of Award Scams: Learn more here.

[[August 28, 2020] Discount Early Registration: A discount early registration fee is available until .

[January 1, 2021] The Authority of Book Awards: Our Chairman provides helpful guidelines for selecting a book award.

[October 10, 2015] Horse of a Different Color: Book Edits discusses the Hoffer Award.

[December 17, 2007] Inside the Hoffer: Award Chairman Christopher Klim speaks with Library Juice.