Apply for 12th International Literary Awards 2026-27

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Now even larger and spread across 2 Cities and Venues

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​With Kafka's Plaque of Honour for Literary Excellence

In the spirit of Franz Kafka—whose pen gave voice to the forgotten and wove truth into tale—this medal honors those who, through literature, illuminate the world anew.

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Applications are now Open!

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Choice of City & Program for Felicitation:

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Option 1: 2nd Hyderabad Performing Arts Festival 2026 (6th Dec'26 - Sunday)

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1:00pm to 5pm: Birla Auditorium, Birla Museum Complex, Hyderabad

7:00pm to 10:00pm: Afterparty with Gala Cocktail & Networking Dinner Night​

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Option 2: 5th Kolkata International Literary Carnival 2027 (21st Feb'27 - Sunday)

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9:30am to 2pm: Satyajit Ray Auditorium, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata

7:00pm to 10:00pm: Afterparty with Gala Cocktail & Networking Dinner Night​

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The Ukiyoto Literary Awards recognize authors and/or literary works within and outside its publications, that reflect quality literary and academic work due to their mass visibility and recognition. For the first time in several years, the Awardees will have the choice to select their city and venue for felicitation at either of the prestigious events: the Hyderabad Performing Arts Festival OR Kolkata International Literary Carnival held annually in December and February in Hyderabad and Kolkata respectively.

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Nominations are now open in the following Categories,

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• Woman Writer of the Year in Fiction and Non Fiction

• Sueños Author 40 under 40 - 2026-27 (for authors below 40 years of age)

• Poet of the Year

• Author of the Year in Fiction and Non Fiction

• Book of the Year in Fiction and Non Fiction

• Emerging Author of the Year in Fiction and Non Fiction

• Young Adult/Child Author of the Year

• Illustrator of the Year

• Translator of the Year

• Best Contributor in an Anthology

• Sueños Book of the Year in Fiction and Non-Fiction

• Best Reference Book of the Year 

• Best Audio Book of the Year

• Best Graphic Designer of the Year

• Best Comic/Graphic Novel of the Year

• Narrator of the Year (for Audio Books)

• Editor of the Year

• Best Translated Book of the Year

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Languages Considered: English, European Languages, Turkish, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, All Indian Regional Languages

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Nominations would be curated on a rolling basis, catering to the limited slots per Category. Selected authors/writers/artists may or may not be called for a telephonic discussion to understand or clarify points.

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Award Winners can choose their city for felicitation either at 2nd Hyderabad Performing Arts Festival on 6th December'26 OR 5th Kolkata Literary Carnival on 21st Feb'27 with invitation to attend the Gala Networking Dinner at either cities (any one).

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Those unable to attend in person would be intimated on all deliverables being conducted at the venue on their behalf. Award items would be sent via post to respective addresses after February.

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Ukiyoto Board reserves the right to determine the awardees in its respective category.

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ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION CRITERIA FOR ALL CATEGORIES

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• Nominated books must have been published between Jan 2014 and Dec 2026. This is determined by the first publication date on any public channel (ex. Amazon, Barnes and Nobles etc.).

• All entries must have an ISBN.

• Nominated books must be written/narrated by an author/narrator or content team who/which is in existence and not posthumous.

• Revised editions of previously published works are not eligible.

• Books nominated must be at least 25 pages or more.

• The Board will review books for compliance with eligibility requirements. Board decisions regarding eligibility are final.

• One author can nominate for 1 Category only and multiple nominations are not allowed.

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AWARDEE DELIVERABLES AND FELICITATION

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• Felicitation of Awardees with the Kafka's Plaque of Honour & Literary Certificate at 2nd Hyderabad Performing Arts Festival (HPAF26) OR 5th Kolkata Literary Carnival (KLC27) with Gala Networking Dinner & Afterparty for Awardee. (Any 1 city needs to be selected).

• 2 Translation Options of Awardee's book (one book) from our available 44 Languages along with Publication and Distribution as per regular processes of publication (Read all about our translation projects at: https://www.ukiyoto.com/translation)

• Shared Press Release covering 140+ news channels with Google search indexing - New

• Full page Magazine Coverage on Litteratura Magazine (Previous versions underneath) with a mass circulation in both digital and print media for Author Branding and recognition by journalists, newspapers etc. (subject to their selection)

• Audiobook Creation of 1 new title/book as per regular audio book processes in existence - New

• 1 Music Song Creation for your book or any other independent content of your choice (lyrics maybe provided by yourself) with distribution on Spotify, Amazon, Apple etc (Check Music samples, available languages and distribution channels at: https://www.ukiyoto.com/create-music - New

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1 MEGA Golden Quill Awardee 2026-27 with 30,000INR Cash Award - New

Note - As we believe in long term growth and mutual relationship with sustainable prospects, attending the Gala Networking Dinner is recommended to engage in active conversations, interact with fellow authors from across the country, leverage mutual strengths and connections and overall grow in the literary domain.

​Golden Quill Awardee will be selected for 1 nominee from the management's end over and above his/her individual nomination in respective category

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NOMINATION PROCESS

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Book Award Nomination Process, Deadline and Membership & Benefits Fee:

• Each Book Award nomination must include a completed nomination form. Nomination is FREE for for all.

• Nominations for a single work in multiple categories or separate work by same author in multiple categories are not allowed.

• Electronic version (In read only format link - Upload in Google Drive, Select the Share link in Read Only Mode) is to be provided in the Nomination form in the given tab for viewing the entire content at the same time protecting the document in Read Only view - Nominees may write to us in case help is required to place the link.

• Decision making and intimation time to awardees is between 5 and 21 working days post filing the nomination form.

• Membership & Benefits Fee needs to be paid after selection confirmation only (conveyed via email) within 2 days via online payment gateway, UPI or bank transfer without which the vacant slot would move onto the next in line waiting list.

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Disclaimers:

• As Rewards and Recognition program is open to all, including those outside our publications, we deem all nominations to be free from any rights/infringement issues/copyright protection and any occurrence of such may need to be dealt by authors independently

• All activities are solely conducted by our events division, Sueños  and not in association or collaboration with any other parties

• ​The Kafka's Plaque for Literary Excellence is an independent honor established to celebrate outstanding contributions to literature. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the estate of Franz Kafka, or any related entity. The name 'Kafka' is used solely to recognize his enduring literary influence, which resides in the public domain and in the memory of 'Kafka'.

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For any queries, feel free to write to us at publishing@ukiyoto.com.