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PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award

The PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award is awarded by the PEN America (formerly PEN American Center) for writing that exemplifies literary excellence on the subject of physical and biological sciences. The award includes a cash prize of $10,000.

The award was founded by scientist and author Dr. Edward O. Wilson, activist and actor Harrison Ford, and the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. The award was inaugurated in 2011.

Examples of published works that exemplify the quality of writing the award is designed to acknowledge include Rachel Carson's Silent Spring (1962) and James Watson's The Double Helix (1969), which contribute 'to the public’s understanding of scientific principles at work in the world today.'

The award is one of many PEN awards sponsored by International PEN affiliates in over 145 PEN centers around the world. The PEN American Center awards have been characterized as being among the "major" American literary prizes.

Award winners

YearAuthorTitleResultRef.201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
**Winnerdate=August 11, 2011title=PEN American Center's 2011 award winnersurl=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/08/pen-american-centers-2011-awards.htmlaccess-date=August 27, 2012work=LA Timesarchive-date=December 10, 2011archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210011517/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/08/pen-american-centers-2011-awards.htmlurl-status=live }}
Becoming AnimalRunner-up
**Winnerauthor=Julie Bosmandate=August 29, 2012title=PEN American Center Announces Literary Awardsurl=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/29/pen-american-center-announces-literary-awards/access-date=October 24, 2012work=New York Timesarchive-date=October 29, 2012archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029132444/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/29/pen-american-center-announces-literary-awards/url-status=live }}
Moby-Duck: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools, Including the Author, Who Went in Search of ThemRunner-upauthor=Laurie Hertzeldate=August 28, 2012title=PEN literary awards announcedurl=http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/167728715.htmlaccess-date=October 24, 2012work=StarTribunearchive-date=November 2, 2012archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102032745/http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/167728715.htmlurl-status=live }}
Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your BehaviorWinnerauthor=Carolyn Kelloggdate=August 14, 2013title=Jacket Copy: PEN announces winners of its 2013 awardsurl=http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-pen-announces-winners-of-its-2013-awards-20130814,0,5632674.storyaccess-date=August 14, 2013work=Los Angeles Timesarchive-date=August 16, 2013archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816025317/http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-pen-announces-winners-of-its-2013-awards-20130814,0,5632674.storyurl-status=live }}
**Runner-up
High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and SocietyWinner
War of the Whales: A True StoryWinner
Thunder & Lightning: Weather Past, Present, FutureWinner
Rain: A Natural and Cultural HistoryShortlisttitle=2016 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Shortlist Announcedurl=https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2016-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-shortlist-announced/access-date=2023-02-25website=E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundationlanguage=en-USarchive-date=2021-12-28archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228023154/https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2016-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-shortlist-announced/url-status=live }}
**Shortlist
**Shortlist
and Jeff KanipeIsland on Fire: The Extraordinary Story of a Forgotten Volcano That Changed the WorldShortlist
Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family SecretsWinnerlast=Tubbfirst=Nathanieldate=2017-01-18title=2017 PEN/E. O. WILSON LITERARY SCIENCE WRITING AWARDurl=https://pen.org/2017-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award/access-date=2023-02-25website=PEN Americalanguage=enarchive-date=2022-12-08archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208035316/https://pen.org/2017-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award/url-status=live }}
Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural HistoryShortlisttitle=2017 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announcedurl=https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2017-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/access-date=2023-02-25website=E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundationlanguage=en-USarchive-date=2021-12-28archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228020631/https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2017-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/url-status=live }}
How to Make a Spaceship: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of a Private SpaceflightShortlist
Lab GirlShortlist
**Shortlist
The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian MedicineWinner
American Eclipse: A Nation’s Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the WorldShortlisttitle=2018 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announcedurl=https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2018-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/access-date=2023-02-25website=E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundationlanguage=en-USarchive-date=2022-08-07archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807155729/https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2018-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/url-status=live }}
Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to LifeShortlist
No One Cares About Crazy People: The Chaos and Heartbreak of Mental Health in AmericaShortlist
Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and WorstShortlist
Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They MatterWinner
**Shortlisttitle=2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announcedurl=https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2019-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced-2/access-date=2023-02-25website=E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundationlanguage=en-USarchive-date=2022-08-07archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807170226/https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2019-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced-2/url-status=live }}
**Shortlist
Blue Dreams: The Science and the Story of the Drugs that Changed Our MindsShortlist
She Has Her Mother’s LaughShortlist
Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about OurselvesWinner
Conscience: The Origins of Moral IntuitionShortlisttitle=2020 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announcedurl=https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2020-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/access-date=2023-02-25website=E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundationlanguage=en-USarchive-date=2022-08-07archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807160029/https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2020-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/url-status=live }}
On the Backs of Tortoises: Darwin, the Galapagos, and the Fate of an Evolutionary EdenShortlist
**Shortlist
Losing Earth: A Recent HistoryShortlist
Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest OwlWinnerlast=Hertzelfirst=Lauriedate=2021-04-08title=Minneapolis writers win PEN America literary awardsurl=https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-writers-win-pen-america-literary-awards/600043832/access-date=2023-02-25website=Star Tribunearchive-date=2022-08-14archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814154731/https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-writers-win-pen-america-literary-awards/600043832/url-status=live }}
**Shortlisttitle=2021 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announcedurl=https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2021-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/access-date=2023-02-25website=E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundationlanguage=en-USarchive-date=2022-08-09archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809082953/https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2021-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/url-status=live }}
Fathoms: The World in the WhaleShortlist
**Shortlist
**Shortlist
Fox & I: An Uncommon FriendshipWinner
**Shortlisttitle=2022 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announcedurl=https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2022-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/access-date=2023-02-25website=E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundationlanguage=en-USarchive-date=2022-08-07archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807154405/https://eowilsonfoundation.org/2022-pene-o-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists-announced/url-status=live }}
**Shortlist
Believers: Making a Life at the End of the WorldShortlist
Life’s Edge: The Search for What It Means to Be AliveShortlist
Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific JourneyWinner
Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical VoyageShortlistlast=first=title=Paperback, 2023 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists, 2023 PEN Literary Award Finalistsurl=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/paperback/2023-pen-literary-award-finalists/2023-pen-eo-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists/_/N-2cnhZ2vddaccess-date=2023-02-25website=Barnes & Noblelanguage=enarchive-date=2023-02-25archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225174647/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/paperback/2023-pen-literary-award-finalists/2023-pen-eo-wilson-literary-science-writing-award-finalists/_/N-2cnhZ2vddurl-status=live }}
Sounds Wild and Broken: Sonic Marvels, Evolution's Creativity, and the Crisis of Sensory ExtinctionShortlist
**Shortlist
California Against the Sea: Visions for Our Vanishing CoastlineWinnertitle=PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writingurl=https://pen.org/program/pen-eo-wilson-prize-literary-science-writing/website=PEN Americaaccess-date=2024-12-02}}
The Bathysphere Book: Effects of the Luminous Ocean DepthsShortlist
Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our PlanetShortlist
Womb: The Inside Story of How It All BeganShortlist
In the Blood: How Two Outsiders Solved a Centuries-Old Medical Mystery and Took on the US ArmyShortlist
Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All LifeWinnertitle=PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writingurl=https://pen.org/literary-awards/pen-eo-wilson-prize-literary-science-writing/website=PEN Americaaccess-date=2025-10-24}}
The Burning Earth: A HistoryShortlist
Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our WorldShortlist
All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women’s Bodies and Why It Matters TodayShortlist
The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship with Our Wild NeighborsShortlist

References

References

  1. [http://www.pen.org/page.php/prmID/2155 PEN American Center Literary Awards] {{webarchive. link. (2012-06-11)
  2. Hank Campbell. (October 15, 2010). ""Literary" $10,000 science writing award to be backed by Edward O. Wilson". Science2.0.
  3. (October 15, 2010). "Harrison Ford in town to promote conservation". [[The San Francisco Examiner]].
  4. Alfred Bendixen. (2005). "The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature". Continuum International Publishing Group.
  5. (August 11, 2011). "PEN American Center's 2011 award winners". [[LA Times]].
  6. (16 November 2012). "2011 PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award". [[PEN America]].
  7. (2020-06-09). "PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award".
  8. Julie Bosman. (August 29, 2012). "PEN American Center Announces Literary Awards". [[New York Times]].
  9. (14 November 2012). "2012 PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award". pen.org.
  10. "PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Winner Announced".
  11. Laurie Hertzel. (August 28, 2012). "PEN literary awards announced". [[StarTribune]].
  12. Carolyn Kellogg. (August 14, 2013). "Jacket Copy: PEN announces winners of its 2013 awards". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  13. (25 July 2013). "2013 PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award". [[PEN America]].
  14. Ron Charles. (July 30, 2014). "Winners of the 2014 PEN Literary Awards". [[Washington Post]].
  15. (16 April 2014). "2014 PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award". pen.org.
  16. Carolyn Kellogg. (May 13, 2015). "PEN announces award-winners and shortlists". [[LA Times]].
  17. (11 May 2015). "2015 PEN Literary Award Winners". pen.org.
  18. (2015-11-05). "2016 PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award".
  19. "2016 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Shortlist Announced".
  20. Tubb, Nathaniel. (2017-01-18). "2017 PEN/E. O. WILSON LITERARY SCIENCE WRITING AWARD".
  21. "2017 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announced".
  22. John Maher. (February 21, 2018). "Long Soldier, Zhang, Le Guin Win At 2018 PEN Literary Awards". Publishers Weekly.
  23. "PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award".
  24. (February 20, 2018). "The 2018 PEN America Literary Awards Winners". PEN America.
  25. Porter Anderson. (January 31, 2018). "Industry Notes: PEN America's Finalists". Publishing Perspectives.
  26. "2018 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announced".
  27. "2019 PEN/E. O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award". E O Wilson Foundation.
  28. "2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announced".
  29. "Frans de Waal wins PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award".
  30. "2020 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announced".
  31. Noble, Barnes &. "Books: Best Sellers, Expert Recommendations & More".
  32. Hertzel, Laurie. (2021-04-08). "Minneapolis writers win PEN America literary awards".
  33. "2021 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announced".
  34. (2021-02-10). "Presenting the Finalists for the 2021 PEN America Literary Awards".
  35. "Catherine Raven wins the 2022 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award".
  36. Smith, Eliza. (2022-03-01). "Here are the winners of the 2022 PEN America Literary Awards.".
  37. "2022 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists Announced".
  38. Schaub, Michael. (2023-03-03). "PEN Award Winners Announced".
  39. "Paperback, 2023 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Finalists, 2023 PEN Literary Award Finalists".
  40. "PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing".
  41. "PEN/E.O. Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing".
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