[3] The current Nonfiction award recognizes one book written by a U.S. citizen and published in the U.S. from December 1 to November 30.
The National Book Foundation accepts nominations from publishers until June 15, requires mailing nominated books to the panelists by August 1, and announces five finalists in October.
The award is $10,000 and a bronze sculpture; other finalists get $1000, a medal, and a citation written by the panel.
[5] The $10,000 and $1000 cash prizes and autumn recognition for current-year publications date from 1984.
[7] For the 1963/1964 cycle, three new award categories replaced "Nonfiction": Arts and Letters; History and Biography; Science, Philosophy and Religion.
Throughout the 1970s, the National Book Award was separated into multiple categories.
In some years, the History and Biography awards were combined, while in others, they were two separate categories.
The revamp was completed only next summer, with an autumn program recognizing books published during the award year (initially, preceding November to current October).
Matthiessen and Thomas won three Awards (as did Saul Bellow, all fiction).