The Montana Historical Society is now accepting submissions for the Montana Headwaters Book Prize, a new annual award recognizing the best historical nonfiction books on Montana history. Submissions are open through Jan. 31, 2027, to authors and publishers of books published during the 2026 calendar year.
The prize is funded annually by Larry Len and LeAnne Peterson in partnership with the Montana Historical Society. Up to three awards will be presented, recognizing first-, second- and third-place books of historical nonfiction set substantially in Montana during the 20th century or earlier. Winners will be announced May 15, 2027, and prizes will be presented at the 2027 Montana History Conference, set for Sept. 23-25 at the Great Northern Hotel in Helena.
“Montana’s history deserves rigorous, beautifully written books, and there are authors out there doing that work right now,” said Roberta Gebhardt, library and archives program manager with the Montana Historical Society. “The Headwaters Book Prize is our way of finding them, honoring them, and making sure their work reaches the audience it deserves.”
First-place winners will receive a bronze reproduction of C.M. Russell bookends, a cash prize of $4,000, and paid registration, lodging and travel to the Montana History Conference, where attendance is required. Second-place winners receive a plaque and $2,000, and third-place winners receive a plaque and $1,500; both include complimentary conference registration, and attendance is strongly encouraged. Authors who cannot commit to attending the conference are asked not to apply.
Eligible works must be first-edition, full-length nonfiction books written in English, assigned an ISBN, and published in 2026. Books must include footnotes or endnotes, citations, a bibliography or bibliographical essay, and an index. Self-published books are welcome, and authors are not required to be Montana residents. Books published by the MTHS Press are eligible if submitted directly by the author.
To submit, authors or publishers must complete a brief entry form on the Montana Historical Society’s website and pay a $50 entry fee. Six printed copies of the work must be mailed to the Larry Len and LeAnne Peterson Library and Archives, Montana Historical Society, 225 North Roberts Street, PO Box 201201, Helena, MT 59601. Submissions may be added to the library’s permanent collection, and tracking is recommended, as receipt will not be individually acknowledged.
Full eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available at mths.mt.gov/about/Headwaters-Book-Prize. Questions may be directed to mthsHeadwaters@mt.gov.
By: BSB News wire