Project - City of Literature
City of Reykjavík Children's Book Award
The Reykjavík City Children's Book Award is awarded annually and, in keeping with tradition, is handed out on the last day of winter during a formal ceremony at Höfði.
The Reykjavík City Children's Book Award has the longest history of such awards in Iceland, with their main aim being to highlight accomplished works in book publishing for young readers and encouraging them to read.
The award is presented to authors, illustrators, and translators of children's books for ambitious writing and translations for children. The aim of these esteemed awards is to draw attention to the importance of quality literature for children and young people, and to outstanding achievements in this vital sector of Icelandic book publishing.
Fifteen books are nominated, five in each category. The award has three categories: an original Icelandic children's book, a translation of a children's book into Icelandic, and illustration in an Icelandic children's book.
The Reykjavík City Children's Book Award Selection Committee consists of three representatives appointed by the Reykjavík City of Literature UNESCO, the Writers' Union of Iceland, and Fyrirmynd, an illustrators' association.
Guðrún Helgadóttir Children's Book Award
The Guðrún Helgadóttir Children's Book Award was created in 2018 in honor of the writer of Guðrún Helgadóttir. The award is given annually for an unprinted manuscript to a book for children or youth to support literary innovation.
Online manuscript submissions for 2025 are now open and will be accepted until May 1, 2025. This new online submission process represents an important step toward enhanced safety, efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions, replacing the previous requirement to submit three paper copies. Click the link to submit your manuscript on the awards page.
What are the awards?
The prize winner receives a monetary award along with the recognition itself. The prize money is provided by Reykjavík City and one award is presented annually around Guðrún Helgadóttir's birthday on Sept. 7. In 2025, the amount of the Reward will be 1,000,000 Icelandic krónur.
Tómas Guðmundsson Literary Award
The Tómas Guðmundsson Literary Award is awarded each year in memory of Tómas Guðmundsson for an unprinted manuscript of a book of poetry. The Selection Committee for the Award is appointed by the City Executive Council and consists of three individuals.
Online manuscript submissions for 2025 are now open and will be accepted until May 1, 2025. This new online submission process represents an important step toward enhanced safety, efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions, replacing the previous requirement to submit three paper copies. Click the link to submit your manuscript on the awards page.
What are the awards?
The awardee receives a monetary prize. The prize is funded by Reykjavík City and is presented annually at the beginning of winter. The prize amount is 1,000,000 krónur.
Who appoints the Selection Committee?
The Selection Committee for the Award is appointed by the Culture & Tourism Council for one-year at a time. It consists of three members: one designated by the Writers' Union of Iceland, another by the Association of Icelandic Publishers, and the third by Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature, which also appoints the chairperson.
How can I participate?
Manuscripts must be submitted electronically in PDF format on this website and will be accepted until May 1, 2025. The manuscripts are stored in a secure area and deleted two weeks after the selection committee reaches a decision. Author anonymity will continue to be guaranteed in this process, as submissions will be processed in an access-controlled system ensuring the selection committee receives manuscripts marked only with pseudonyms, just as before.