Call for Nominations 

The American Journalism Historians Association Book of the Year Award recognizes the best books in journalism history or mass media history published during the previous calendar year.

For the 2023 award, the book must have been granted a first-time copyright in 2022. Nominated books may be co-authored, and edited collections will be considered. Authors may self-nominate, and we particularly encourage nominations of books by women, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors.

We welcome books that engage with critical theory as well as books published as narrative nonfiction. However, journalism and media history must be analytically central to the book’s argument, with preference given to studies about nonfiction forms of media. Moreover, authors must show evidence of primary source research based on archival documents and/or ethnographic interviews. AJHA defines “journalism history” as a continuous process, emphasizing but not necessarily confined to subjects of American mass communications. It should be viewed not in the context of perception of the current decade, but as part of a unique, significant, and time-conditioned past.

With rare exceptions, we will not consider self-published work. Authors who have self-published books that they strongly believe should be considered should explain why they've chosen this publishing route in their letters. 

A winner and three unranked runners-up will discuss their work at an awards panel at the 2023 American Journalism Historians Association Annual Convention, scheduled for Sept. 28 to Sept. 30 in Columbus, Ohio. The winner and runners-up must agree to register for and attend the AJHA conference and present at the panel.

To nominate a book for the award, please send a digital copy of the book to Dr. Jane Marcellus at AJHAbookaward@gmail.com no later than Feb. 1, 2023, along with a letter that includes the following statement from the author: “As the author (or editor) of this title nominated for the 2023 AJHA Book Award, I agree that if my book is chosen as a finalist, I will register for the 2023 American Journalism Historians Association Annual Convention in Columbus, Ohio, attend the conference, and participate in the book award panel.” Digital books will be password protected and available only to committee members. Please put BOOK NOMINATION in caps on the email subject line.

Finalists will be announced in late March 2023 and winners will be announced in May 2023.

Please note that only submissions that follow this process will be accepted.

Questions? Contact Book Award Coordinator Dr. Jane Marcellus at AJHAbookaward@gmail.com.