Each year, up to ten outstanding books of any genre, which have been written by Washington authors in the previous year are recognized with awards based on literary merit, lasting importance, and overall quality of the publication.
When the Governor's Writers Awards was established in 1967, it was based at the Washington State Library in Olympia.
In 2013, the categories encompass General Nonfiction (History), Biography and Memoir, Fiction, Poetry, and two to four Scandiuzzi Children's Books Awards.
Between 2002 and 2004, the award was presented to a group of books rather than to a single winner with a selection of finalists.
In 2005, the Washington State Book Awards were separated into categories, and individual winners were selected.