Andrew O'Hagan, Drenka Willen and friend at the 2007 Dinner
In 2005, The Mercantile Library became the first literary center in the United States devoted to the art of fiction. Our annual awards, given each fall, are part of our mission to promote the reading, writing and enjoyment of great literature.
The John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize
The Mercantile Library Center for Fiction's John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize was created by the Center as part of its mission to promote the art of fiction in the United States and is awarded to the best first novel. It carries with it a $10,000 cash award. It was created by the Mercantile Library Center for Fiction and supported by members of the Sargent family in recognition of John Sargent Sr.’s lifetime of reading and distinguished work as President and CEO of Doubleday and Company for many years.
Follow this link to learn more about entering the 2008 John Sargent Sr. First Novel competition.
The Maxwell E. Perkins Award
The Annual Maxwell E. Perkins Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Field of Fiction honors an editor, publisher, or agent who over the course of his or her career has discovered, nurtured, and championed writers of fiction in the United States. Maxwell E. Perkins, of Charles Scribner’s Sons, was one of the most important editors in American literary history. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, and Ernest Hemingway are the best known of the many writers he nurtured and supported over his long career, and he is considered by many to be the most admired book editor in the world.
The Third Maxwell E. Perkins Award was presented to Drenka Willen at the Annual Benefit on October 29, 2007.
Gary Fisketjon was honored with the Second Maxwell E. Perkins Award. He was an editor at Random House and Vintage Books (1980-1986), Editorial Director of the Atlantic Monthly Press (1986 to 1990), and is currently, Editor-at-Large and Vice President of Alfred A. Knopf Publishers.
The First Maxwell E. Perkins Award was given to Nan A. Talese, Senior Vice President of Doubleday and President, Publisher and Editorial Director of Nan A. Talese Books in 2006.
The Clifton Fadiman Medal
For Excellence In Fiction
The Clifton Fadiman Medal for Excellence in Fiction was created in order to honor a book, by a living American author, which deserves renewed recognition. One of the twentieth century’s foremost men of letters, Clifton Fadiman, was editor-in-chief at Simon & Schuster, a book reviewer for the New Yorker, and the editor of numerous literary anthologies. Mr. Fadiman served over fifty years for the Book-of-the-Month Club/ Bookspan and often served as head judge. In this role he sought the best writing in America for the widest possible audience and dedicated his effort to reading and recommending great literature. After Mr. Fadiman’s death in 1999, The Mercantile Library created the Clifton Fadiman Medal for Excellence in Fiction to honor his spirit and The Library’s historic role of recommending great literature to the American public.
The 2007 Clifton Fadiman Medal was presented to Lore Segal at the at the Annual Benefit on October 29, 2007.
The 2006 Clifton Fadiman Medal for Excellence in Fiction was awarded to Robert Coover for his novel Pricksongs and Descants.
The 2007 Sargent First Novel Prize Shortlist
Junot Diaz and fiancee at the 2007 Annual Awards Dinner
Learn more about Editor Maxwell Perkins
Lore Segal at the 2007 Awards Dinner