The Nobel Prize in Literature

 

Alfred Nobel, in his will of 1895, entrusted the Swedish Academy with the task of selecting the Nobel Prize laureate in literature. His instruction was that the prize should be awarded ‘to the person who, within the field of literature, has produced the most outstanding work in an ideal direction’. The first Nobel Prize was awarded in 1901.

Those eligible to nominate candidates include members of the Swedish Academy or of other academies or institutions with similar purposes, professors of literature or linguistics, previous Nobel Prize laureates in literature and chairs of writers’ organisations representing their country’s literary production. Nominations for the year’s laureate must be submitted in writing to the Nobel Committee no later than 31 January. The nomination must be signed by the nominator and may not be sent by email. A justification is recommended but not required. It is not possible to nominate oneself – that is to say, one may not apply for the Nobel Prize. Each year around 300 nominations are typically received. During the spring, these names are reviewed by the Nobel Committee. In April, the Academy draws up a preliminary list of around twenty candidates, which is usually reduced to around five names before the Academy takes its summer break. In October, the Academy makes its final decision. For the decision to be valid, a candidate must receive more than half of the votes cast. The laureate receives the prize (SEK 11 million in 2025) from the King of Sweden at Stockholm Concert Hall on Nobel Day, 10 December.

More about the rules for nomination »

Further reading about the election process here »

List of all Nobel Laureates in Literature »

Books on the Nobel Prize in Literature »

 

Mats Malm, Permanent Secretary, announcing the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2024. Photo: Samuel Unéus