Montana Historical Society launches Headwaters Book Prize for Montana history writing

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, and are open to authors and publishers of books published during the 2026 calendar year. Full eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available at mths.mt.gov/about/Headwaters-Book-Prize.

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 twentieth century or earlier. Winners will be announced on May 15, 2027, and prizes will be presented at the 2027 Montana History Conference, 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 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; complimentary conference registration is included for both, and attendance is strongly encouraged. Authors who cannot commit to attending the conference should not 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 the author does not need to be a Montana resident. Books published by the MTHS Press are eligible if submitted by the author directly.

To submit, authors or publishers complete a brief entry form on the MTHS 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. Tracking is recommended, as receipt will not be individually acknowledged.

For complete eligibility requirements and submission instructions, visit mths.mt.gov/about/Headwaters-Book-Prize. Questions may be directed to [email protected].