Salman Rushdie to Receive 2026 National Book Award Lifetime Achievement Medal
Salman Rushdie is slated to receive the 2026 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, a lifetime achievement honor presented by the National Book Foundation. The award ceremony will take place on November 18, 2026, during the 77th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. This recognition includes a $10,000 prize and a solid-brass medal. Rushdie, known for his extensive literary career spanning five decades and 23 books, including 15 novels, will become the 39th recipient of this prestigious medal. His works, such as 'Midnight's Children' and 'The Satanic Verses,' have been translated into over 40 languages and have significantly influenced writers globally. The National Book Foundation's Board of Directors makes the final selection for this award, which was established in 1988 to honor individuals who have enriched American literature through their body of work or lifetime of service. David Steinberger, chair of the National Book Foundation’s...
