Dateline Dehradun: Valley of Words~Shabdavali announced the 8 Winners of the REC-VoW Book Awards 2026 — celebrating the best of English Literature, Hindi Sahitya, and Writings for Young Adults and Children. Currently in its 10th edition, the Valley of Words Festival continues to host India’s most comprehensive independent literary awards. Each VBA Winner is offered a prize of INR 1 lakh along with a citation and panel discussion at the Finale in Dehradun scheduled for November 27th, 28th and 29th , 2026.
Over 600 nominations were received in 2026 from 75 publishing houses across the country. The selection of the books involves a three-stage process of reading and review, with the Shortlist and Winner selected by a Jury composed of VBA Winners from previous years. Interviews with all Shortlisted authors are featured in the annual VoWels magazine printed by the Festival.
Commenting on the REC-VoW Book Awards 2026, Festival Director Dr Sanjeev Chopra stated, “As in previous years, the response from publishers has been very positive. We also wish to thank all the Jury Members for their patient reading and insightful selections. Each of the books chosen this year is ambitious in its scope and covers themes which help us better understand ourselves and the world around us. We are all very much looking forward to engaging with the authors in Dehradun and bringing their work to audiences here.”
The REC-VoW Book Award Winners for 2026 are:
ENGLISH FICTION
Our Friends In Good Houses by RAHUL PANDITA (HarperCollins)
ENGLISH NON-FICTION
The Hindi Heartland by GHAZALA WAHAB (Aleph)
HINDI FICTION
त्रिमाया by मनीषा कुलश्रेष्ठ (Vani)
HINDI NON-FICTION
चन्दन किवाड़ by मालिनी अवस्थी (Vani)
WRITING FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Giants by HUTHUKA SUMI (Harper Collins)
WRITINGS/PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
The Night Sky by SAMINA MISHRA (Tulika)
HINDI TRANSLATION
ऑर्बिटल translated from the English by डॉ रोहिणी (Penguin Swadesh)
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Sita’s Veil translated from the Hindi by NISHTHA GAUTAM (Vani)
The Valley of Words community extends warm congratulations to each of these authors and their publishers. Please join us in conversation with the 8 winners of VBA 2026 at the 10th Edition of Valley of Words~Shabdavali, on the 27th , 28th and 29th November 2026, at Hotel Madhuban in Dehradun.
Celebrate the Word—and beyond!
For further information, please visit www.valleyofwords.org or write to [email protected]
