Back to all awards
US

Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

One of the most prestigious American awards for achievements in journalism, literature, and music.

Established

1918

Country

United States

Prize

$15,000

Frequency

annual

fiction
Visit official website

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction?

The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is one of the seven American Pulitzer Prizes awarded annually for Letters, Drama, and Music. Established in 1918, it recognizes distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life. The prize includes a $15,000 award.

2

How many books have won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction?

There have been 20 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winners recorded in our database from 2005 to 2025. The prize has been awarded annually since 1918, with occasional years where no award was given.

3

What are recent Pulitzer Prize Fiction winners?

Recent winners include "James" by Percival Everett (2025), "Night Watch" by Jayne Anne Phillips (2024), and "Trust" by 2023 (2023). View the complete list on this page.

Notable Past Winners

Explore some of the most celebrated books that have won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, from groundbreaking debuts to literary masterpieces that have shaped contemporary literature.

Loading cover...

2025 Winner

James

by Percival Everett

Loading cover...

2024 Winner

Night Watch

by Jayne Anne Phillips

Loading cover...
Loading cover...

2022 Winner

The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family

by Joshua Cohen

Award Winners

20 winners recorded from 2005 to present

2025
Loading cover...

James

by Percival Everett

2024
Loading cover...

Night Watch

by Jayne Anne Phillips

2023
Loading cover...
2022
Loading cover...

The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family

by Joshua Cohen

2021
Loading cover...

The Night Watchman

by Louise Erdrich

2020
Loading cover...

The Nickel Boys

by Colson Whitehead

2019
Loading cover...

The Overstory

by Richard Powers

2018
Loading cover...

Less

by Andrew Sean Greer

2017
Loading cover...

The Underground Railroad

by Colson Whitehead

2016
Loading cover...

The Sympathizer

by Viet Thanh Nguyen

2015
Loading cover...

All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

2014
Loading cover...

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

2013
Loading cover...

The Orphan Master's Son

by Adam Johnson

2011
Loading cover...

A Visit from the Goon Squad

by Jennifer Egan

2010
Loading cover...

Tinkers

by Paul Harding

2009
Loading cover...

Olive Kitteridge

by Elizabeth Strout

2008
Loading cover...

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

by Junot DΓ­az

2007
Loading cover...

The Road

by Cormac McCarthy

2006
Loading cover...

March

by Geraldine Brooks

2005
Loading cover...

Gilead

by Marilynne Robinson