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.

How can I participate?

Submit to Reykjavík City an unpublished manuscript of a poetry book originally written in Icelandic. Manuscripts competing for the Award must be submitted in three copies, marked with a pseudonym, with the name and phone number included in a sealed envelope.

Manuscripts must be received by Monday, April 1, 2024.

Envelope's address:

  • Tómas Guðmundsson Literary Award
  • Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature
  • Borgartún 12-14
  • 105 Reykjavík

The publication rights for the winning manuscript are retained by the author or the publisher they choose to work with. If the Selection Committee unanimously agrees that none of the received works meet the required standards for the Award, the presentation of the Award may be canceled for that year.

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. In 2024, the amount of the Reward will be 1,000,000 Icelandic 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.