Winners

Awards by Year

2015

Children's and Young Adult Literature
Leslye Walton , The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender (Candlewick Press)
Creative Nonfiction
Meghan Daum , The Unspeakable (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Drama
Victor Lodato , Arlington
Fiction
Robert Thomas , Bridge (BOA Editions, Ltd.)
Graphic Literature
G. Willow Wilson
Journalism
Daniel Alarcón , “The Contestant” (The California Sunday Magazine)
Poetry
Claudia Rankine , Citizen: An American Lyric (Graywolf Press)
Research Nonfiction
McKenzie Funk , Windfall: The Booming Business of Global Warming (Penguin Press)
Screenplay
Graham Moore , The Imitation Game
Teleplay
Noah Hawley , Fargo "The Crocodile's Dilemma"
Translation
Ainsley Morse & Peter Golub , Anatomical Theater (Zephyr)
UC Press First Book Award
Jordana Moore Saggese , Reading Basquiat: Exploring Ambivalence in American Art (University of California Press)
Freedom to Write Award
Roxane Gay
Lifetime Achievement Award
Francis Ford Coppola
First Amendment Award
John Kiriakou
Award of Honor
ProPublica

2014

Freedom to Write Award
Jose Antonio Vargas
Poetry
Victoria Chang , The Boss
McSweeney’s
Fiction
Lindsay Hill , Sea of Hooks
McPherson & Company
Graphic Literature
Mimi Pond , Over Easy
Drawn & Quarterly
Award of Honor
VICE Media
Research Nonfiction
Bill Minutaglio and Steven L. Davis , Dallas 1963
Twelve
Screenplay
Ben Coccio, Derek Cianfrance, Darius Marder , The Place Beyond The Pines
Focus Features
Teleplay
Judd Apatow & Lena Dunham , Girls, "Together”
HBO
Translation
Wayne A. Rebhorn , The Decameron
W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Drama
Octavio Solis , Se Llama Cristina
Journalism
Craig Malisow , Deadly Charades
Houston Press
First Amendment Award
Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras
Creative Nonfiction
Gretel Ehrlich , Facing The Wave
Pantheon
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Margarita Engle , The Lightning Dreamer, Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist
Harcourt
Lifetime Achievement Award
Norman Lear

2013

Award of Honor
Kickstarter
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Michael Harmon , Under the Bridge
Creative Nonfiction
Joy Harjo , Crazy Brave
Drama
Dan O'Brien , The Body of an American
Fiction
Ramona Ausubel , No One is Here Except All of Us
First Amendment Award
Chris Hedges
Freedom to Write Award
Sonia Nassery Cole
Journalism
Ed Leibowitz
"The Takeover Artist"

Los Angeles Magazine
Lifetime Achievement Award
Joan Didion
Poetry
Amanda Auchter , The Wishing Tomb
Research Nonfiction
Seth Rosenfeld , Subversives
Screenplay
Mark Boal , Zero Dark Thirty
Teleplay
Danny Strong , Game Change
Translation
Philip Boehm , An Ermine in Czernopol
UC Press First Book Award
Randol Contreras , The Stickup Kids
Graphic Literature
Gilbert Hernandez , Marble Season

2012

Award of Honor
Morgan Entrekin
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Matthew J. Kirby , Icefall
Creative Nonfiction
Eavan Boland , A Journey with Two Maps: Becoming a Woman Poet
Drama
Michelle Carter , How to Pray
Fiction
Siobhan Fallon , You Know When the Men Are Gone
First Amendment Award
Robert Scheer
Freedom to Write Award
Lara Logan
Graphic Literature
Joe Sacco
Days of Destruction Days of Revolt
Journalism
Ben Ehrenreich
"Drip, Jordan: Israel's water war with Palestine"

Harper's
Lifetime Achievement Award
Joyce Carol Oates
Poetry
Anne Waldman , The Iovis Trilogy: Colors in the Mechanism of Concealment
Research Nonfiction
Candice Millard , Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President
Screenplay
Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig , Bridesmaids (Universal Pictures)
Teleplay
Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Gideon Raff , Homeland: Pilot Episode (Showtime)
Translation
Suzanne Jill Levine , The Lizard's Tale: A Novel
UC Press First Book Award
Beth Levy , Frontier Figures: American Music and the Mythology of the American West

2011

Award of Honor
Dave Eggers
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Pam Muñoz Ryan , The Dreamer
Creative Nonfiction
Gregory Boyle , Tattoos on the Heart
Drama
Tom Jacobson , The Twentieth Century Way
Fiction
James Fleming , Tengo Sed
First Amendment Award
Charles Bowden
Freedom to Write Award
Ellie Herman
Graphic Literature
Daniel Clowes
Mister Wonderful
Journalism
Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman
"The Creativity Crisis"

Newsweek
Lifetime Achievement Award
Robert Pinsky
Poetry
Craig Santos Perez , From unincorporated territory [saina]
Research Nonfiction
Ian Morris , Why the West Rules - For Now
Screenplay
Nicole Holofcener , Please Give
Teleplay
David Simon and Eric Overmyer , Treme: Pilot Episode (HBO)
Translation
Damion Searls , John Fosse's Aliss at the Fire
UC Press First Book Award
Sebouh David Aslanian , From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean: The Global Trade Networks of Armenian Mechants from New Julfa

2010

Award of Honor
Hugh Hefner
Award of Merit
Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Paul Fleischman , The Dunderheads
Creative Nonfiction
Vicki Forman , This Lovely Life
Drama
Julie Hébert , Tree
Fiction
Victor Lodato , Mathilda Savitch
First Amendment Award
Hugh Hefner
Freedom to Write Award
Sisay Agena: Ethiopian Free Journalists Association
Graphic Literature
Matt Fraction
Journalism
Mary Melton
"Julius Shulman in 36 Exposures"

Los Angeles Magazine
Lifetime Achievement Award
James Salter
Poetry
Amy Catanzano , Multiversal
Research Nonfiction
Minal Hajratwala , Leaving India: My Family's Journey from Five Villages to Five Countries
Screenplay
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner , Up in the Air
Teleplay
Peter Blake , House: The Tyrant
Translation
Fady Joudah , Mahmoud Darwish's If I Were Another
UC Press First Book Award
Angela Garcia , The Pastoral Clinic: Addiction and Dispossession Along the Rio Grande

2009

Award of Honor
Ben Goldhirsch , GOOD Magazine
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Kathi Appelt , The Underneath
Creative Nonfiction
Steve Lopez , The Soloist
Drama
Marisela Treviño Orta , Braided Sorrow
Fiction
Kim Barnes , A Country Called Home
First Amendment Award
Liz Garbus and Sheila Nevins
Journalism
Karen Olsson
"Before and After"

Texas Monthly
Lifetime Achievement Award
Elmore Leonard
Poetry
Seido Ray Ronci , Skeleton of the Crow - New and Selected Poems 1978-2008
Research Nonfiction
Leslie T. Chang , Factory Girls
Screenplay
Dustin Lance Black , Milk
Teleplay
George Mastras , Breaking Bad: Crazy Handful of Nothin' (AMC)
Translation
Maxine Chernoff & Paul Hoover , Selected Poems of Friedrich Holderlin

2008

Award of Honor
Michael Wright , TNT
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Ron Koertge , Strays
Creative Nonfiction
Julia Whitty , The Fragile Edge
Drama
Shem Bitterman , Harm's Way
Fiction
Daniel Alarcon , Lost City Radio
First Amendment Award
Writers Guild of America, West
Freedom to Write Award
U Win Tin (Myanmar)
Journalism
Jesse Katz
"The Test of Their Lives"

Los Angeles Magazine
Lifetime Achievement Award
Larry Gelbart
Poetry
Juan Felipe Herrera , 187 Reasons Mexicanos Can't Cross the Border
Research Nonfiction
William by T. Vollman , Poor People
Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson , Paul Thomas Anderson
Teleplay
Terence Winter , The Sopranos: The Second Coming (HBO)
Translation
Donald Revell , A Season in Hell by Arthur Rimbaud

2007

Award of Honor
Attorneys for the Defense of the First Amendment: Martin Garbus, Esq.; Laura R. Handman, Esq.; Thomas R. Julin, Esq.; Charles D. Tobin, Esq.
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Cynthia Kadohata , Weedflower
Creative Nonfiction
Debra Marquart , The Horizontal World
Drama
Craig Volk , Mayakovsky Takes the Stage
Fiction
Kevin Brockmeier , The Brief History of the Dead
First Amendment Award
Jerry Roberts
Freedom to Write Award
Sahal Abdulle
Journalism
Jake Silverstein
"Highway Run"

Harper's
Lifetime Achievement Award
Clancy Sigal
Poetry
Ralph Angel , Exceptions and Melancholies: Poems 1986-2006
Research Nonfiction
Lawrence Wright , The Looming Tower
Screenplay
Zach Helm , Stranger Than Fiction
Teleplay
Phyllis Nagy , Mrs. Harris (HBO)
Translation
Mary M. Y. Fung and David Lunde , The Carving of Insects by Bian Zhilin

2006

Award of Honor
Bob Shaye
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Viola Canales , The Tequila Worm
Creative Nonfiction
Michael Chorost , Rebuilt: How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Human
Drama
Donald Freed , Devil's Advocate
Fiction
Percival Everett , Wounded
First Amendment Award
Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams
Freedom to Write Award
Iraqi journalists
Journalism
Heidi Benson
"The Life and Death of Iris Chang"

San Francisco Chronicle
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jane Smiley
Poetry
Brian Turner , Here, Bullet
Research Nonfiction
Adam Hochschild , Bury the Chains: Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves
Screenplay
George Clooney and Grant Heslov , Goodnight and Good Luck
Teleplay
Alex Tse , Sucker Free City (Showtime)
Translation
Lucia Re and Paul Vangelisti , War Variations by Amelia Rosselli

2005

Award of Honor
HBO
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Ursula K. Le Guin , Gifts
Creative Nonfiction
Andrew Todhunter , A Meal Observed
Drama
Sarah Ruhl , The Clean House
Fiction
Micheline Aharonian Marcom , The Daydreaming
First Amendment Award
Sam Hamill
Freedom to Write Award
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury (Bangladesh)
Journalism
Meredith May
"Operation Lionheart"

San Francisco Chronicle
Lifetime Achievement Award
Gore Vidal
Poetry
Martha Ronk , In A Landscape of Having to Repeat
Research Nonfiction
Evan Wright , Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War
Screenplay
Charlie Kaufman , Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Teleplay
Sally Robinson, Eugenia Bostwick Singer, Raymond Singer, and Jennifer Friedes , Iron Jawed Angels (HBO)
Translation
Robert Alter , The Five Books of Moses: A Translation with Commentary

2004

Award of Honor
Jeffrey P. Bezos
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Laura and Tom McNeal , Zipped
Creative Nonfiction
Floyd Skloot , In the Shadow of Memory
Drama
Luis Alfaro , Body of Faith
Fiction
Diana Abu-Jaber , Crescent
First Amendment Award
Charles Lewis
Freedom to Write Award
Ruslan Sharipov (Uzbekistan)
Journalism
Kira Salak
"Places of Darkness"

National Geographic Adventure
Lifetime Achievement Award
Walter Mosley
Poetry
Gabriel Spera , The Standing Wave
Research Nonfiction
Dr. David Grinspoon , Lonely Planets
Screenplay
Brian Helgeland , Mystic River
Teleplay
Anne Meredith , Out of Ashes (Showtime)
Translation
Cole Swenson , Island of the Dead by Jean Frémon

2003

Award of Honor
Gordon Davidson
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Ron Koertge , Stoner & Spaz
Creative Nonfiction
Daniel Ellsberg , Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers
Drama
Michelle Carter , Ted Kaczynski Killed People with Bombs
Fiction
Lydia Millet , My Happy Life
First Amendment Award
Danny Goldberg
Freedom to Write Award
Raúl Rivero Castańeda (Cuba) and Sierra Leone PEN Centre
Journalism
Sonia Nazario
"Enrique's Journey"

Los Angeles Times
Lifetime Achievement Award
Kevin Starr
Poetry
Donald Revell , Arcady
Research Nonfiction
Timothy Ferris , Seeing in the Dark: How Backyard Stargazers are Probing Deep Space and Guarding Earth from Interplanetary Peril
Screenplay
Charlie and Donald Kaufman , Adaptation
Teleplay
Cyrus Nowrasteh , 10,000 Black Men Named George (Paramount/Showtime)
Translation
Geoffrey Brock , Disaffections: Complete Poems 1930-1950

2002

Award of Honor
Gloria Steinem
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Mildred D. Taylor , The Land
Creative Nonfiction
Albert Goldbarth , Many Circles: New and Selected Essays
Drama
Cheryldee Huddleston , Who Loves You, Jimmie Orrio?
Fiction
Laura Pritchett , Hell's Bottom, Colorado
First Amendment Award
Joyce Meskis
Freedom to Write Award
Anna Politkovskaya (Russia) and Ethiopian Free Journalists Association
Journalism
Peter Ritter
"Jeanette Kamman's Library for Orphans"

City Pages
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Poetry
Norman Dubie , The Mercy Seat: Collected and New Poems 1967-2001
Research Nonfiction
Hampton Sides , Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II's Most Dramatic Mission
Screenplay
Daniel Clowes and Terry Zwigoff , Ghost World
Teleplay
Cyrus Nowrasteh , The Day Reagan Was Shot (Showtime)
Translation
Jerome Rothenberg and Milos Sovak , Antilyrik and Other Poems by Vítezslav Nezval

2001

Award of Honor
Otis Chandler
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Elissa Haden Guest , Iris and Walter
Creative Nonfiction
Miles Corwin , And Still We Rise: The Trials and Triumphs of Twelve Gifted Inner City High School Students
Drama
Prince Gomolvilas , The Theory of Everything
Fiction
Diana Wagman , Spontaneous
Freedom to Write Award
Chris Abani (Nigeria) and Xu Wenli (People's Republic of China)
Journalism
Erin Aubry Kaplan
"Blue Like Me"

LA Weekly
Lifetime Achievement Award
Eric Lax (Special Honoree)
Poetry
Susan Rich , The Cartographer's Tongue
Research Nonfiction
A. J. Langguth , Our Vietnam: The War 1954-1975
Screenplay
Susannah Grant , Erin Brockovich
Teleplay
David W. Rintels , Nuremberg (TNT)
Translation
John Felstiner , Selected Poems and Prose of Paul Celan

2000

Award of Honor
University of California Press
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Paul Fleischman , Weslandia
Creative Nonfiction
Dan Savage , The Kid (What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Get Pregnant): An Adoption Story
Drama
Michelle Carter , Hillary and Soon-Yi Shop for Ties
Fiction
Ian Macmillan , Village of A Million Spirits: A Novel of the Treblinka Uprising
Freedom to Write Award
Brigadier General José Francisco Gallaardo Rodriguez (Mexico) and Bei Ling (China)
Journalism
Berry Siegal
"A Legal Way Out"

Los Angeles Times
Lifetime Achievement Award
Octavia Estelle Butler
Poetry
Aleida Rodriguez , Garden of Exile
Research Nonfiction
Eileen Welsome , The Plutonium Files: America's Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War
Screenplay
David O. Russell , Three Kings
Teleplay
Jacob Epstein , Strange Justice (Showtime)
Translation
Jennifer Green Krupala , The Diary of Nickolay Punin 1904-1953

1999

Fiction
Daniel Woodrell , Tomato Red (Henry Holt and Company)
Creative Nonfiction
Leslie Brody , Red Star Sister (Hungry Mind Press)
Research Nonfiction
Elliott West , The Contested Plains (University Press of Kansas)
Poetry
B.H. Fairchild , The Art of the Lathe (Alice James Books)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Gary Soto , Petty Crimes (Harcourt Brace & Company)
Body of Work in Criticism
Leslie Fielder
Journalism
Carol Masciola
"Mr. Maxwell's Baby"

Orange County Register
Drama
Julie Hébert , The Knee Desires the Dirt (Women's Project & Productions)
Teleplay
Nicholas Meyer , The Informant (Showtime)
Screenplay
Don Roos , The Opposite of Sex (Sony Pictures Classics)
Award of Honor
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ray Bradbury
Freedom to Write Award
Aleksandr Nikitin / Grigory Pasko

1998

Fiction
Molly Gloss , The Dazzle of Day (Tor Books)
Creative Nonfiction
James Salter , Burning the Days (Random House)
Research Nonfiction
Harry Greene , Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature (UC Press)
Poetry
Linda Bierds , The Profile Makers (Henry Holt)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Paul Samuel Jacobs , James Printer: A Novel of Rebellion (Scholastic Press)
Translation
Michael Henry Heim , A Bohemian Youth (Northwestern University Press)
Journalism
Mark Arax
"A Labor of Love for Boys of McFarland"

Los Angeles Times
Drama
Naomi Iizuka , Polaroid Stores (Actors Theatre of Louisville)
Teleplay
Larry Gelbart , Weapons of Mass Destruction (HBO)
Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson , Boogie Nights (New Line Cinema)
Award of Honor
Oakley Hall
Lifetime Achievement Award
Carolyn See
Freedom to Write Award
Akin Adesokan / Wei Jingsheng

1997

Fiction
William T. Vollmann , The Atlas (Viking)
Creative Nonfiction
Jonathan Raban , Bad Land (Pantheon)
Research Nonfiction
Edward Humes , No Matter How Loud I Shout (Simon & Schuster)
Poetry
Bob Kaufman , Cranial Guitar (Coffee House Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Maryellen Toman Mori , Kangaroo Notebook (Alfred A. Knopf)
Journalism
J.R. Moehringer
"The Accident"

Los Angeles Times Magazine
Drama
Rita Nachtmann , How I Spent My Life's Vacation (Camilla's Theatre)
Teleplay
Bima Stagg , Inside (Showtime)
Screenplay
Cameron Crowe , Jerry Maguire (TriStar)
Award of Honor
University of California Press
Lifetime Achievement Award
John Rechy
Freedom to Write Award
Ayse Nur Zarzkolu / Daoud Kuttab

1996

Fiction
Pete Dexter , The Paperboy (Random House)
Nonfiction
Al Young , Drowning in the Sea of Love (The Ecco Press)
Poetry
Carl Rakosi , Poems 1923-1941 (Sun & Moon Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Cynthia Rylant , The Van Gogh Café (Harcourt Brace & Co.)
Body of Work in Criticism
Pauline Kael
Translation
Red Pine , Guide to Capturing a Plum Blossom (Mercury House)
Journalism
George Cothran
"Shut Up, Little Man"

SF Weekly
Drama
(tie) Philip Kan Gotanda , Ballayd of Yachiyo (Berkeley Repertory Theatre)
Drama
(tie) Simon Levy , Tender is the Night (The Fountain Theatre)
Teleplay
(tie) Charles Fuller , Zooman (Showtime)
Teleplay
(tie) John Hopkins , Hiroshima (Showtime)
Screenplay
William Brolyes, Jr. & Al Reinert , Apollo 13 (Universal Pictures)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Betty Friedan
Freedom to Write Award
Dapo Oloruny Ami / Zeta

1995

Fiction
Robert Boswell , Living to be 100 (Knopf)
Creative Nonfiction
Julia Frey , Toulouse-Lautrec, A Life (Viking)
Poetry
Jack Gilbert , The Great Fires: Poems, 1982-1992 (Knopf)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Gerald McDermott , Coyote (Harcort Brace)
Body of Work in Criticism
Manny Farber
Translation
John E. Woods , Collected Novellas of Arno Schmidt (Dalkey Archive)
Journalism
Ann Louise Bardach
"Mexico's Poet Rebel"

Vanity Fair
Drama
Justin Tanner , Pot Mom (The Cast Theater)
Teleplay
Susan Black & Lance Gentile , State of Emergency (HBO)
Screenplay
Frank Darabont , The Shawshank Redemption (Castle Rock Entertainment)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Neil Simon
Freedom to Write Award
Gordan Simic / Bei Dao

1994

Fiction
Stavey Levine , My Horse and Other Stories (Sun & Moon Press)
Creative Nonfiction
Richard Reeves , President Kennedy: Profile of Power (Simon & Schuster)
Poetry
Jack Marshall , Sesame (Coffee House Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Kathleen Krull , Lives of the Musicians: GOOD TIMES, BAD TIMES (And What the Neighbors Thought) (Harcourt Brace)
Body of Work in Criticism
T. J. Clark
Translation
Pierre Joris & Jerome Rothenberg , Poems Performance Pieces Proses Plays Poetics (Temple University Press)
Journalism
Margy Rochlin
"The Mathematics of Discrimination"

Los Angeles Times Magazine
Drama
Steven Dietz , Lonely Planet (North Light Theatre)
Teleplay
Jane Anderson , The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (HBO)
Screenplay
Steven Zaillian , Schindler's List (Universal Pictures)

1993

Fiction
Rudolfo Anaya , Alburquerque (University of New Mexico Press)
Creative Nonfiction
William Kittredge , Hole in the Sky (Alfred A. Knopf)
Poetry
Thom Gunn , The Man With Night Sweats (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Randy Powell , Is Kissing a Girl Who Smokes Like Licking an Ashtray? (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)
Translation
Wayne Lammers , Still Life and Other Stories (Stone Bridge Press)
Journalism
Bryan Woolley
"The Bride Wore Crimson"

Dallas Life Magazine
Drama
Cherrie Moraga , Heroes and Saints (Brava! For Women in the Arts)
Teleplay
David Franzoni , Citizen Cohn (HBO)
Screenplay
Michael Tolkin , The Player (New Line)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Billy Wilder
Freedom to Write Award
David Geffen, Elizabeth Martinez, Sandra Ruben, Edward Szynaka, Khalil Burayez

1992

Fiction
Sandra Cisneros , Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories (Random House)
Creative Nonfiction
Curt Gentry , J. Edgar Hoover, The Man and the Secrets (W.W. Norton)
Poetry
Czeslaw Milosz , Provinces (Ecco Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Allen Say , Tree of Cranes (Houghton Mifflin)
Translation
Robert Griffin , Gustave Flaubert, Early Writings (University of Nebraska Press)
Journalism
(tie) Joe Holley
"Voices in the Dark"

Texas Monthly
Journalism
(tie) Michael Ventura
"Letters to the War"

L.A. Weekly
Drama
Robert Schenkkan , The Kentucky Cycle (Intiman Theatre Company of Seattle/Mark Taper Forum)
Screenplay
Callie Khouri , Thelma and Louise (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Freedom to Write Award
Aquarian Bookshop/Dr. & Mrs. Alfred Ligon, Norman Corwin, Diane English, Myrna Mack, Paul Monette, Wallace Stegner, Oliver Stone

1991

Fiction
Barbara Kingsolver , Animal Dreams (Harper Collins, Inc.)
Creative Nonfiction
Richard Misrach & Myriam Weisang Misrach , Bravo 20: The Bombing of the American West (John Hopkins University Press)
Poetry
Donald Revell , New Dark Ages (Wesleyan University Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Deborah Nourse Lattimore , The Dragon's Robe (Harper Collins, Inc.)
Translation
Tina Nunnallly , Niels Lyhne (Fjord Press)
Journalism
Peter Brewton
"Awarded for his series on the Savings & Loan scandal"

Houston Post
Screenplay
Nicholas Kazan , Reversal of Fortune (Warner Bros.)
Freedom to Write Award
Midnight Special Bookstore, Mila Aguilar, Isabel Allende, Paul Conrad, June Jordon, Carol Sobel

1990

Fiction/Novel
Maxine Hong Kingston , Trip Master Monkey (Alfred A. Knopf)
Fiction/Short Story
T. Coraghessan Boyle , If the River Was Whiskey (Viking)
Creative Nonfiction
Le Ly Hayslip and Jay Wurts , When Heaven and Earth Changed Places (Doubleday)
Poetry
Mei-Mei Berseenbrugge , Empathy (Station Hill Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Barthe De Clements , The Five-Finger Discount (Delacourt
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Louise Moeri , The Forty-Third War (Houghton Mifflin)
Translation
Suzanne Jill Levine , The Adventures of a Photographer in La Plata (E.P. Dutton)
Journalism
David Shaw
Los Angeles Times
Drama
John Stepplin , Teenage Wedding (Heliogabalu)
Screenplay
Gus Van Sant and Daniel Yost (Adaptation) , Drugstore Cowboy (Avenue Pictures)
Screenplay
Woody Allen (Original) , Crimes and Misdemeanors (Orion Pictures)
Distinguished Body of Work
Wallace Stegner
Freedom to Write Award
Vaclav Havel
Freedom to Write Award
Rudolfo Anaya, Harlan Ellison, Matt Groening, Alice Walker
Special PEN Awards
Jeff Ayeroff, Allan Parachini, Dutton's Bookstores

1989

Fiction/Novel
Pete Dexter , Paris Trout (Random House)
Fiction/Short Story
Mae Briskin , A Boy Like Astrid's Mother (Norton)
Creative Nonfiction
Paul Monette , Borrowed Time, An AIDS Memoir (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich)
Poetry
Michael Palmer , Sun (North Point Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Ellen Howard , Her Own Song (Atheneum)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Virginia Euwer Wolff , Probably Still Nick Swanson (Holt)
Journalism
Shawn Hubler and Lennie LaGuire
"Asian Pacific Sketchbook"

Los Angeles Herald-Examiner
Drama
Marlene Meyer , Kingfish
Screenplay
Naomi Foner , Running on Empty
Distinguished Body of Work
Robert Duncan (poet), William Everson (poet)
Freedom to Write Award
Lee Tae-Bok

1988

Fiction
Lawrence Thornton , Imagining Argentina (Doubleday)
First Fiction Award
Carrie Fisher , Postcards from the Edge (Simon & Schuster)
Creative Nonfiction
Brendan Phibbs, M.D. , The Other Side of Time (Little Brown)
Poetry
Robery Mezey , Evening Wind (Wesleyan University Press)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
(tie) Adrienne Jones , Street Family (Harper & Row)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
(tie) Sonia Levitin , The Return (Atheneum)
Journalism
Barry Siegal
"Series on Gene Therapy Race"

The Los Angeles Times
Screenplay
Neal Jimenez , River's Edge (Hemdale Productions)
Distinguished Body of Work
Herbert Gold
Special Service Award
Ruth Harmer Carew
Freedom to Write Award
George Kirgo (President, Writer's Guild of America)

1987

First Fiction Award
Karen Lawrence , The Life of Helen Alone (Villard)
Fiction/Short Stories
Laura Kalpabian , Fair August (Graywolf)
Fiction/General
Georrge La Fountaine , The Long Walk (Putnam)
First Fiction Award
Mary Daegling , Monstor Seaweeds, The Story of the Giant Kelps (Dillon Press)
Poetry
Timothy Steele , Sapphics Against Anger (Random House)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Robbie Branscum , The Girl (Harper & Row)
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Helen Hinckley , Israel (Children's Book Press)
Distinguished Body of Work
Brian Moore
Freedom to Write Award
John Fante, Ruth Harmer Carew, Florence Feiler

1986

Fiction
Robert Ward , Red Baker
Creative Nonfiction
John Sanford , The Color of the Air
Poetry
Roberta Spear , Taking to Water
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Audrey Wood , King Bidgood's in the Bathtub
Children's and Young Adult Literature
John Reynolds Gardiner , Top Secret
Distinguished Body of Work
Norman Corwin
Freedom to Write Award
Angel Cuardra

1985

Fiction
Harriet Doerr , Stones for Ibarra
Creative Nonfiction
Jackson Benson , The True Adventures of John Steinbeck, Writer
Poetry
David Antin , Tuning
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Theodor Geisel , The Butter Battle Book
Distinguished Body of Work
Ray Bradbury
Freedom to Write Award
Danny Santiago

1983

Nonfiction
Tim Reiterman and John Jacobs , Raven (E.P. Dutton)
First Fiction Award
Henry Bean , False Match (Poseidon Press)
Poetry
Thom Gunn , The Passages of Joy (Straus & Giroux)
Young People
Zilpha Keatley Snyder , Birds of Summer (Athenenum)
Young People
Clare Bell , Ratha's Creature (Athenenum)
Journalism
Phil Kerby (Newspaper Writing) , Los Angeles Times
Journalism
Jonathan Kirsch (Magazine Writing) , California Magazine
Teleplay
Peter Feibleman , Maid in America, CBS-TV
Teleplay
Bill Stout , KNXT-TV
Radio Writing
Rita Cash , KFWB
Drama
Karen Hensel, Patti Jones, Elana Kent, Sylvia Meredith, Elizabeth Lloyed Shaw, Laura Toffenetti , Going to See the Elephant
Distinguished Body of Work
Christopher Isherwood
Publisher of the Year
Ward Ritchie
Most Promising Student Writer
Gretchen Van Lente , Short Story: "Mind Your Own Business," UCLA
Maxwell Perkins Editor Award
Barry Gifford , Creative Arts Book Company, Berkeley
Freedom to Write Award
Steve Allen , Meeting of Minds, PBS

1982

Distinguished Body of Work
Neil Simon
First Fiction Award
Anne Nietzke , Windowlight (Capra Press)
Most Promising Student Writer
Caroline Fraser (poetry)
Journalism
Lawrence T. Johnson (Magazine Writing - Silver) , "Escape from Colombia" (Mother Jones Magazine)
Journalism
Anita Schiller & Herbert I. Schiller (Magazine Writing - Gold) , "Who Can Own What America Knows?" (The Nation)
Radio Writing
Mariam Bjerre (Silver) , KNX Newsradio
Radio Writing
Charles Morgan (Gold) , KPFK-FM
Screenplay
Richard France (Silver) , Station J: An American Epic (East West Players Presentation)
Screenplay
Donald Stewart & Costa-Gavras (Gold) , Missing (Universal Pictures/Polygram Pictures)
Journalism
Harlan Ellison (Silver)
"An Edge in My Voice"

L.A. Weekly
Journalism
Merle Linda Wolin (Gold)
"RIPOFF: The Story of Fraud in California's Garment Industry"

L.A. Herald Examiner
Teleplay
Sam Egen (Silver) , "Stolen Tears" (Quincy)
Teleplay
Seth Freeman (Gold) , "Blacklist" (Lou Grant)
Maxwell Perkins Editor Award
Mrs. Jean Stone

1981

Distinguished Body of Work
Louis L'Amour

1980

Distinguished Body of Work
Irving Stone

1979

Distinguished Body of Work
Richard Armour

1978

Distinguished Body of Work
Ariel & Will Durant

1977

Distinguished Body of Work
Jessamyn West

Awards by Type

Children's and Young Adult Literature

2015

Leslye Walton
2014

Margarita Engle
2013

Michael Harmon
2012

Matthew J. Kirby
2011

Pam Muñoz Ryan
2010

Paul Fleischman
2009

Kathi Appelt
2008

Ron Koertge
2007

Cynthia Kadohata
2006

Viola Canales
2005

Ursula K. Le Guin
2004

Laura and Tom McNeal
2003

Ron Koertge
2002

Mildred D. Taylor
2001

Elissa Haden Guest
2000

Paul Fleischman
1999

Gary Soto
1998

Paul Samuel Jacobs
1997

Maryellen Toman Mori
1996

Cynthia Rylant
1995

Gerald McDermott
1994

Kathleen Krull
1993

Randy Powell
1992

Allen Say
1991

Deborah Nourse Lattimore
1990

Barthe De Clements
1990

Louise Moeri
1989

Ellen Howard
1989

Virginia Euwer Wolff
1988

(tie) Adrienne Jones
1988

(tie) Sonia Levitin
1987

Robbie Branscum
1987

Helen Hinckley
1986

Audrey Wood
1986

John Reynolds Gardiner
1985

Theodor Geisel

Creative Nonfiction

2015

Meghan Daum
2014

Gretel Ehrlich
2013

Joy Harjo
2012

Eavan Boland
2011

Gregory Boyle
2010

Vicki Forman
2009

Steve Lopez
2008

Julia Whitty
2007

Debra Marquart
2006

Michael Chorost
2005

Andrew Todhunter
2004

Floyd Skloot
2003

Daniel Ellsberg
2002

Albert Goldbarth
2001

Miles Corwin
2000

Dan Savage
1999

Leslie Brody
1998

James Salter
1997

Jonathan Raban
1995

Julia Frey
1994

Richard Reeves
1993

William Kittredge
1992

Curt Gentry
1991

Richard Misrach & Myriam Weisang Misrach
1990

Le Ly Hayslip and Jay Wurts
1989

Paul Monette
1988

Brendan Phibbs, M.D.
1986

John Sanford
1985

Jackson Benson

Drama

2015

Victor Lodato
2014

Octavio Solis
2013

Dan O'Brien
2012

Michelle Carter
2011

Tom Jacobson
2010

Julie Hébert
2009

Marisela Treviño Orta
2008

Shem Bitterman
2007

Craig Volk
2006

Donald Freed
2005

Sarah Ruhl
2004

Luis Alfaro
2003

Michelle Carter
2002

Cheryldee Huddleston
2001

Prince Gomolvilas
2000

Michelle Carter
1999

Julie Hébert
1998

Naomi Iizuka
1997

Rita Nachtmann
1996

(tie) Philip Kan Gotanda
1996

(tie) Simon Levy
1995

Justin Tanner
1994

Steven Dietz
1993

Cherrie Moraga
1992

Robert Schenkkan
1990

John Stepplin
1989

Marlene Meyer
1983

Karen Hensel, Patti Jones, Elana Kent, Sylvia Meredith, Elizabeth Lloyed Shaw, Laura Toffenetti

Fiction

2015

Robert Thomas
2014

Lindsay Hill
2013

Ramona Ausubel
2012

Siobhan Fallon
2011

James Fleming
2010

Victor Lodato
2009

Kim Barnes
2008

Daniel Alarcon
2007

Kevin Brockmeier
2006

Percival Everett
2005

Micheline Aharonian Marcom
2004

Diana Abu-Jaber
2003

Lydia Millet
2002

Laura Pritchett
2001

Diana Wagman
2000

Ian Macmillan
1999

Daniel Woodrell
1998

Molly Gloss
1997

William T. Vollmann
1996

Pete Dexter
1995

Robert Boswell
1994

Stavey Levine
1993

Rudolfo Anaya
1992

Sandra Cisneros
1991

Barbara Kingsolver
1988

Lawrence Thornton
1986

Robert Ward
1985

Harriet Doerr

Graphic Literature

2015

G. Willow Wilson
2014

Mimi Pond
2013

Gilbert Hernandez
2012

Joe Sacco
2011

Daniel Clowes
2010

Matt Fraction

Journalism

2015

Daniel Alarcón
2014

Craig Malisow
2013

Ed Leibowitz
2012

Ben Ehrenreich
2011

Po Bronson and Ashley Merriman
2010

Mary Melton
2009

Karen Olsson
2008

Jesse Katz
2007

Jake Silverstein
2006

Heidi Benson
2005

Meredith May
2004

Kira Salak
2003

Sonia Nazario
2002

Peter Ritter
2001

Erin Aubry Kaplan
2000

Berry Siegal
1999

Carol Masciola
1998

Mark Arax
1997

J.R. Moehringer
1996

George Cothran
1995

Ann Louise Bardach
1994

Margy Rochlin
1993

Bryan Woolley
1992

(tie) Joe Holley
1992

(tie) Michael Ventura
1991

Peter Brewton
1990

David Shaw
1989

Shawn Hubler and Lennie LaGuire
1988

Barry Siegal
1983

Phil Kerby (Newspaper Writing)
1983

Jonathan Kirsch (Magazine Writing)
1982

Lawrence T. Johnson (Magazine Writing - Silver)
1982

Anita Schiller & Herbert I. Schiller (Magazine Writing - Gold)
1982

Harlan Ellison (Silver)
1982

Merle Linda Wolin (Gold)

Poetry

2015

Claudia Rankine
2014

Victoria Chang
2013

Amanda Auchter
2012

Anne Waldman
2011

Craig Santos Perez
2010

Amy Catanzano
2009

Seido Ray Ronci
2008

Juan Felipe Herrera
2007

Ralph Angel
2006

Brian Turner
2005

Martha Ronk
2004

Gabriel Spera
2003

Donald Revell
2002

Norman Dubie
2001

Susan Rich
2000

Aleida Rodriguez
1999

B.H. Fairchild
1998

Linda Bierds
1997

Bob Kaufman
1996

Carl Rakosi
1995

Jack Gilbert
1994

Jack Marshall
1993

Thom Gunn
1992

Czeslaw Milosz
1991

Donald Revell
1990

Mei-Mei Berseenbrugge
1989

Michael Palmer
1988

Robery Mezey
1987

Timothy Steele
1986

Roberta Spear
1985

David Antin
1983

Thom Gunn

Research Nonfiction

2015

McKenzie Funk
2014

Bill Minutaglio and Steven L. Davis
2013

Seth Rosenfeld
2012

Candice Millard
2011

Ian Morris
2010

Minal Hajratwala
2009

Leslie T. Chang
2008

William by T. Vollman
2007

Lawrence Wright
2006

Adam Hochschild
2005

Evan Wright
2004

Dr. David Grinspoon
2003

Timothy Ferris
2002

Hampton Sides
2001

A. J. Langguth
2000

Eileen Welsome
1999

Elliott West
1998

Harry Greene
1997

Edward Humes

Screenplay

2015

Graham Moore
2014

Ben Coccio, Derek Cianfrance, Darius Marder
2013

Mark Boal
2012

Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
2011

Nicole Holofcener
2010

Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner
2009

Dustin Lance Black
2008

Paul Thomas Anderson
2007

Zach Helm
2006

George Clooney and Grant Heslov
2005

Charlie Kaufman
2004

Brian Helgeland
2003

Charlie and Donald Kaufman
2002

Daniel Clowes and Terry Zwigoff
2001

Susannah Grant
2000

David O. Russell
1999

Don Roos
1998

Paul Thomas Anderson
1997

Cameron Crowe
1996

William Brolyes, Jr. & Al Reinert
1995

Frank Darabont
1994

Steven Zaillian
1993

Michael Tolkin
1992

Callie Khouri
1991

Nicholas Kazan
1990

Gus Van Sant and Daniel Yost (Adaptation)
1990

Woody Allen (Original)
1989

Naomi Foner
1988

Neal Jimenez
1982

Richard France (Silver)
1982

Donald Stewart & Costa-Gavras (Gold)

Teleplay

2015

Noah Hawley
2014

Judd Apatow & Lena Dunham
2013

Danny Strong
2012

Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Gideon Raff
2011

David Simon and Eric Overmyer
2010

Peter Blake
2009

George Mastras
2008

Terence Winter
2007

Phyllis Nagy
2006

Alex Tse
2005

Sally Robinson, Eugenia Bostwick Singer, Raymond Singer, and Jennifer Friedes
2004

Anne Meredith
2003

Cyrus Nowrasteh
2002

Cyrus Nowrasteh
2001

David W. Rintels
2000

Jacob Epstein
1999

Nicholas Meyer
1998

Larry Gelbart
1997

Bima Stagg
1996

(tie) Charles Fuller
1996

(tie) John Hopkins
1995

Susan Black & Lance Gentile
1994

Jane Anderson
1993

David Franzoni
1983

Peter Feibleman
1983

Bill Stout
1982

Sam Egen (Silver)
1982

Seth Freeman (Gold)

Translation

2015

Ainsley Morse & Peter Golub
2014

Wayne A. Rebhorn
2013

Philip Boehm
2012

Suzanne Jill Levine
2011

Damion Searls
2010

Fady Joudah
2009

Maxine Chernoff & Paul Hoover
2008

Donald Revell
2007

Mary M. Y. Fung and David Lunde
2006

Lucia Re and Paul Vangelisti
2005

Robert Alter
2004

Cole Swenson
2003

Geoffrey Brock
2002

Jerome Rothenberg and Milos Sovak
2001

John Felstiner
2000

Jennifer Green Krupala
1998

Michael Henry Heim
1996

Red Pine
1995

John E. Woods
1994

Pierre Joris & Jerome Rothenberg
1993

Wayne Lammers
1992

Robert Griffin
1991

Tina Nunnallly
1990

Suzanne Jill Levine

UC Press First Book Award

2015

Jordana Moore Saggese
2013

Randol Contreras
2012

Beth Levy
2011

Sebouh David Aslanian
2010

Angela Garcia

Freedom to Write Award

2015

Roxane Gay
2014

Jose Antonio Vargas
2013

Sonia Nassery Cole
2012

Lara Logan
2011

Ellie Herman
2010

Sisay Agena: Ethiopian Free Journalists Association
2008

U Win Tin (Myanmar)
2007

Sahal Abdulle
2006

Iraqi journalists
2005

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury (Bangladesh)
2004

Ruslan Sharipov (Uzbekistan)
2003

Raúl Rivero Castańeda (Cuba) and Sierra Leone PEN Centre
2002

Anna Politkovskaya (Russia) and Ethiopian Free Journalists Association
2001

Chris Abani (Nigeria) and Xu Wenli (People's Republic of China)
2000

Brigadier General José Francisco Gallaardo Rodriguez (Mexico) and Bei Ling (China)
1999

Aleksandr Nikitin / Grigory Pasko
1998

Akin Adesokan / Wei Jingsheng
1997

Ayse Nur Zarzkolu / Daoud Kuttab
1996

Dapo Oloruny Ami / Zeta
1995

Gordan Simic / Bei Dao
1993

David Geffen, Elizabeth Martinez, Sandra Ruben, Edward Szynaka, Khalil Burayez
1992

Aquarian Bookshop/Dr. & Mrs. Alfred Ligon, Norman Corwin, Diane English, Myrna Mack, Paul Monette, Wallace Stegner, Oliver Stone
1991

Midnight Special Bookstore, Mila Aguilar, Isabel Allende, Paul Conrad, June Jordon, Carol Sobel
1990

Vaclav Havel
1990

Rudolfo Anaya, Harlan Ellison, Matt Groening, Alice Walker
1989

Lee Tae-Bok
1988

George Kirgo (President, Writer's Guild of America)
1987

John Fante, Ruth Harmer Carew, Florence Feiler
1986

Angel Cuardra
1985

Danny Santiago
1983

Steve Allen

Lifetime Achievement Award

2015

Francis Ford Coppola
2014

Norman Lear
2013

Joan Didion
2012

Joyce Carol Oates
2011

Robert Pinsky
2010

James Salter
2009

Elmore Leonard
2008

Larry Gelbart
2007

Clancy Sigal
2006

Jane Smiley
2005

Gore Vidal
2004

Walter Mosley
2003

Kevin Starr
2002

Lawrence Ferlinghetti
2001

Eric Lax (Special Honoree)
2000

Octavia Estelle Butler
1999

Ray Bradbury
1998

Carolyn See
1997

John Rechy
1996

Betty Friedan
1995

Neil Simon
1993

Billy Wilder

First Amendment Award

2015

John Kiriakou
2014

Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras
2013

Chris Hedges
2012

Robert Scheer
2011

Charles Bowden
2010

Hugh Hefner
2009

Liz Garbus and Sheila Nevins
2008

Writers Guild of America, West
2007

Jerry Roberts
2006

Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams
2005

Sam Hamill
2004

Charles Lewis
2003

Danny Goldberg
2002

Joyce Meskis

Award of Honor

2015

ProPublica
2014

VICE Media
2013

Kickstarter
2012

Morgan Entrekin
2011

Dave Eggers
2010

Hugh Hefner
2009

Ben Goldhirsch
2008

Michael Wright
2007

Attorneys for the Defense of the First Amendment: Martin Garbus, Esq.; Laura R. Handman, Esq.; Thomas R. Julin, Esq.; Charles D. Tobin, Esq.
2006

Bob Shaye
2005

HBO
2004

Jeffrey P. Bezos
2003

Gordon Davidson
2002

Gloria Steinem
2001

Otis Chandler
2000

University of California Press
1999

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
1998

Oakley Hall
1997

University of California Press

Award of Merit

2010

Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

Body of Work in Criticism

1999

Leslie Fielder
1996

Pauline Kael
1995

Manny Farber
1994

T. J. Clark

Nonfiction

1996

Al Young
1983

Tim Reiterman and John Jacobs

Fiction/Novel

1990

Maxine Hong Kingston
1989

Pete Dexter

Fiction/Short Story

1990

T. Coraghessan Boyle
1989

Mae Briskin

Distinguished Body of Work

1990

Wallace Stegner
1989

Robert Duncan (poet), William Everson (poet)
1988

Herbert Gold
1987

Brian Moore
1986

Norman Corwin
1985

Ray Bradbury
1983

Christopher Isherwood
1982

Neil Simon
1981

Louis L'Amour
1980

Irving Stone
1979

Richard Armour
1978

Ariel & Will Durant
1977

Jessamyn West

Special PEN Awards

1990

Jeff Ayeroff, Allan Parachini, Dutton's Bookstores

First Fiction Award

1988

Carrie Fisher
1987

Karen Lawrence
1987

Mary Daegling
1983

Henry Bean
1982

Anne Nietzke

Special Service Award

1988

Ruth Harmer Carew

Fiction/Short Stories

1987

Laura Kalpabian

Fiction/General

1987

Georrge La Fountaine

Young People

1983

Zilpha Keatley Snyder
1983

Clare Bell

Radio Writing

1983

Rita Cash
1982

Mariam Bjerre (Silver)
1982

Charles Morgan (Gold)

Publisher of the Year

1983

Ward Ritchie

Most Promising Student Writer

1983

Gretchen Van Lente
1982

Caroline Fraser (poetry)

Maxwell Perkins Editor Award

1983

Barry Gifford
1982

Mrs. Jean Stone

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Awards by Type

Children's and Young Adult Literature

Creative Nonfiction

Drama

Fiction

Graphic Literature

Journalism

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Research Nonfiction

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UC Press First Book Award

Freedom to Write Award

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