Finlandia Literary Prize for Non-Fiction

The Finlandia Literary Prize for Non-Fiction, established in 1989, is awarded by the Finnish Book Foundation in recognition of the best Finnish work of non-fiction or textbook. The award sum is 30,000 euros. The Board of the Finnish Book Foundation shall set up a three-member selection jury for each award with the task of nominating a minimum of three and a maximum of six candidates for the prize, and also the person who shall select the final prize-winner from the candidates nominated.

Award guidelines for the Finlandia Prize for Non-Fiction Literature

On 4 May 1998 the Board of the Finnish Book Foundation approved the following guidelines concerning presentation of the Finlandia Literary Prize for Non-Fiction:

1.
The Finlandia Literary Prize for Non-Fiction shall be granted in recognition of the best Finnish work of non-fiction or textbook.

2.
The Board of the Finnish Book Foundation shall decide separately on the sum for each prize awarded and the date of the presentation, and shall allocate the resources required for the purpose.

3.
The Board of the Finnish Book Foundation shall set up a three-member selection jury for each award with the task of nominating a minimum of three and a maximum of six candidates for the prize, and also the person who shall select the final prize-winner from the candidates nominated. The above-mentioned persons must be nominated and their names made public at least three months prior to the award ceremony. The secretary of the jury shall be a representative of the Foundation who shall not have the power to vote in jury meetings.

4.
Publishers wishing to put forward their published works of non-fiction as candidates for the Finlandia Literary Prize for non-fiction must submit a copy of their work to each member of the jury by the date determined by the Foundation. A copy of the book must also be sent to the Foundation´s office, and a registration fee - the size of which the Board shall decide annually - paid into the Foundation´s account. If the selection jury nominates the work as a candidate for the prize, the party putting the work forward shall pay the Foundation a candidate fee, the size of which the Board shall decide annually.

5.
In nominating the candidates for the prize the jury shall take note of the new works of non-fiction published since the nominations of the previous year´s jury.

6.
The jury shall endeavour to reach a unanimous decision. Should the jury fail to reach a consensus, a vote shall be held if one member of the jury so demands. The jury shall provide a justification for its decision.

The substance of conversations or votes held during jury meetings shall not be made public. The candidates for the prize, the winner, and the reasons for the decisions shall be revealed at an event to be organized by the Finnish Book Foundation.