The PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award celebrates writing that exemplifies literary excellence on the subject of physical and biological sciences. The winner receives a cash award of $10,000 and will be honored at the PEN Literary Awards.
The PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award was founded by scientist and author Dr. Edward O. Wilson, activist and actor Harrison Ford, and the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. The inaugural award was conferred in 2011.
Examples of published works that exemplify the quality of writing the award is designed to acknowledge include Rachel Carlson’s Silent Spring (1962), Dr. James Watson’s The Double Helix (1969), Lewis Thomas's The Lives of a Cell (1978), and Douglas Hofstadter’s Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid (1979).
Past winners: Siddhartha Mukherjee and James Gleick.
Eligibility and Submissions
Submissions must be received between October 15, 2012 and February 1, 2013.
Eligible titles must have been published between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. Candidates must be permanent U.S. residents or American citizens. There are no restrictions on the candidate’s age.
Click here to go through the online submission process. Each submission is $50. If you would like to pay by check, please use write CHECK in the coupon code field at checkout. Be sure to print your receipt.
- Mail three copies of the candidate's book accompanied by the printed receipt and submission form to the address below between October 15, 2012 and February 1, 2013 to: