Western Writers of America annually honors writers for distinguished writing about the American West with the Spur Awards. Since 1953, the Spur Awards have been one of the most prestigious awards in American literature.

Spurs are given in the following categories.

Best Western Contemporary Novel
Best Western Historical Novel
Best Western Mass Market Paperback Novel
Best Western Romance Novel
Best Western Traditional Novel
Best Western Biography
Best Western Historical Nonfiction
Best Western Contemporary Nonfiction
Best Western Short Nonfiction
Best Western Short Fiction
Best Western Children’s Picture Book
Best Western Juvenile Fiction
Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction
Best Western Poem
Best Western Song
Best Western Drama Script
Best Western Documentary Script
Best First Western Novel
Best First Western Nonfiction Book

Winners of the Spur Awards in previous years include Anne Hillerman for Spider Woman’s Daughter, T. J. Stiles for Custer’s Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America, Sandra Dallas for The Last Midwife, Taylor Sheridan for Wind River, and David Grann for Killers of the Flower Moon. The Spur Awards are open to nonmembers as well as members.

All materials published or produced between January 1 and August 31, 2024 must be entered and received by October 1, 2024. All material published from September 1 through December 31, 2024 must be entered and received by January 15, 2025. Entries should be entered as early as possible in the competition year. All deadlines will be strictly enforced.

As the rules note, any entry that was first copyrighted and published/produced in the 2024 calendar year is eligible.

Contact the Spur Award Chair.

The Spur® is a registered trademark of Western Writers of America.