Penguin Random House, and We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), have opened submissions for the 2025 Creative Writing Awards. This is the first year the awards include the James Baldwin Award for Fiction, in honor of the 100th birthday of the literary legend and civil rights champion.  Baldwin’s celebrated works include GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN, GIOVANNI’S ROOM, and IF

Six exceptional public high school seniors from across the country have been chosen as winners of the 2024 Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, a national grassroots organization that advocates for diversity in children’s literature. This year marks the first time the Freedom of Expression Award has been presented. The Freedom