Eligibility and Submission Guidelines

Citizens of the Republic of Armenia who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to apply. Works must be written in Armenian.

• Prize: The winner in each category (one winner per category) will receive a cash prize of 400,000 AMD (inclusive of taxes).

• Restrictions:

  • Authors who have won prizes at the festival in previous years cannot apply in the same categories this year.

  • Submitted works must never have been published or publicly disclosed in any form (including electronic media, social media platforms, or organized public readings at events).

  • The same author may submit an application in only one category.
     

Category Submission Requirements

Prose

• Either 2 short stories, OR

• An excerpt from a novel/novella (minimum 4,000 to maximum 4,500 words, accompanied by a separate summary of the work up to 400 words).
   

Dramaturgy (Playwriting)

• 1 play (no length restriction).
   

Children's and Young Adult Literature

• Either 2 fairy tales,

• Or 2 short stories,

• Or 2 illustrated stories,

• Or 10 poems, OR

• An excerpt from a novel/novella (minimum 4,000 to maximum 4,500 words, accompanied by a separate summary of the work up to 400 words).
   

Poetry

• 10 poems.
   

Anonymity and Evaluation

Submissions will be presented to the jury ANONYMOUSLY.

Works containing direct or indirect information about the author's identity will not be considered. If a text is presented to the jury and members notice an attempt at identification during the reading stage, the application will be canceled.

Jury Members by Category:

• Prose: Anna Davtyan, Arkmenik Nikoghosyan, Hovhannes Yeranyan, Sargis Hovsepyan

• Dramaturgy: Anahit Aramuni Keshishyan, Davit Khalatyan, Narine Grigoryan, Sate Khachatryan

• Children's and Young Adult Literature: Ani Hovnanyan, Erazik Grigoryan, Sabeth Hovhannisyan, Varduhi Baloyan

• Poetry: Alvard Semirjyan, Karen Antashyan, Hasmik Simonyan, Nerses Atabekyan

Evaluation Criteria:

• Prose: Textual execution, language and style, plot structure, relevance, and innovative/experimental value.

• Dramaturgy: Form and content, structure, language and style, relevance, and innovative/experimental value.

• Children's and Young Adult Literature: Engaging and rich plot, alignment with target audience interests, educational value, structure, readability, and style.

• Poetry: Textual execution, language and style, degree of impact, relevance, and innovative/experimental value.

How to Apply

• Format: Send the application package in Word format (all works in a single file) to info@yerevanbookfest.com.

• Subject Line: Must specify your First Name, Last Name, and Category (e.g., Hovhannes Grigoryan, "Poetry" category).

• Email Body: Include your phone number.

• Deadline: August 10, 2026.

Note: Applications that do not meet the competition requirements will not be considered.

Festival Details

• Announcement of Winners: Winners will be announced on September 6 during the closing ceremony of the 9th Yerevan International Book Festival.

• Dates & Location: The festival will take place from September 4–6 at Republic Square, inside the National Gallery of Armenia, the History Museum of Armenia, and the Yeghishe Charents Museum of Literature and Arts.

• Theme: This year's main theme is "Language: Creating Bridges, Not Borders."

• Initiated and Supported by: Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia

• Sponsor: Yerevan Municipality

• Organizers: Yeghishe Charents Museum of Literature and Arts & "Book Festival" Cultural-Educational NGO