Columnist Criticized National Book Award Selections
Bret Stephens argued that recent winners reflect a DEI checklist rather than pure literary merit.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Books
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New York Times columnist Bret Stephens has criticized the National Book Foundation for its recent award selections. He argued the organization has prioritized political goals over identifying the best literature.
Why it matters
The critique challenges the foundation's recent trajectory in selecting award recipients, suggesting that diversity initiatives have overshadowed traditional literary judging standards.
Since 2015, the National Book Foundation has awarded nine of 10 fiction prizes and all 10 non-fiction prizes to minority authors. Furthermore, nine of the 10 finalists for the 2026 fiction category are minority authors.
The players
Bret Stephens
He is a columnist for the New York Times who frequently writes on cultural and political issues.
National Book Foundation
This is the organization responsible for managing the National Book Awards and determining the longlists each year.
The details
Bret Stephens argued in a recent editorial that the foundation has transformed its selection process into a DEI checklist. He contended that the institution has shifted focus away from the historical standard of prioritizing literary quality above other considerations.
Timeline
The National Book Award has been presented annually since 1950.
Between 2015 and 2025, the majority of fiction and non-fiction awards were given to minority authors.
Bret Stephens criticized the awards on September 23, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This dispute highlights a broader tension within elite literary institutions regarding the balance between diversity initiatives and traditional evaluation metrics. The critique follows a trend of public debate concerning whether awards programs are prioritizing representative demographics over classic literary standards.
The controversy may alter how readers interpret the significance of future National Book Award winners and finalists. It also highlights an ongoing shift in how prominent literary organizations curate lists for public consumption.
The takeaway
Readers interested in contemporary literature may benefit from evaluating award-winning works independently to determine their own standards of merit. Engaging with the primary texts remains the most effective way to navigate the debate surrounding institutional selection processes.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of literature, see our Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
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