The Chaucer Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Early Historical (Pre- 1750) Fiction. The Chaucer Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs).

The Chaucer Book Awards competition is named for Geoffrey Chaucer the author of the legendary Canterbury Tales. The work is considered to be one of the greatest works in the English language. It was among the first non-secular books written in Middle English to be printed in 1483.

Chanticleer International Book Awards is seeking the best books featuring Pre-1750s Historical Fiction, including pre-history, ancient history, Classical, world history (non-western culture), Dark Ages and Medieval Europe, Renaissance, Elizabethan, Tudor, 1600s, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

These titles have moved forward from the 2025 Chaucer Long List to the 2025 Chaucer Awards SHORT LIST. These entries are now in competition for the 2025 Chaucer Award Semi-Finalists. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.

We will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA at the 2026 Chanticleer Authors Conference. 

These titles are in the running for the SEMI-FINALISTS of the 2025 Chaucer Book Awards novel competition for Pre-1750s Historical Fiction!

Join us in cheering on the following authors and their works!

• Adam Alexander Haviaras – A Dragon Among the Eagles: a Novel of the Roman Empire
• Anne M. Beggs – By Arrow and Sword: Book Two Dahlquin Series
• Barbara Stark-Nemon – Isabela’s Way: a Novel
• Bryce Gibby – Esta
• Chuck Locklear – The Pines Know
• Elizabeth Clifford Murphy – The Faithful Harlot
• Erryn Lee – What Remains
• Fawn Brokaw Doyle – Salt People of the Cloud Houses: the Story of Sarah Rapalje and Dutch Manhattan
• Gregory Michael Nixon – Diomedes in Kyprios
• Gregory Michael Nixon – The Diomedeia: Diomedes, the Peoples of the Sea, and the Fall of the Hittite Empire
• Helena P. Schrader – The Tale of the English Templar
• J. M. Elliott – Of Wind and Wolves
• J. Susanne Wilson – The Death and Life of Iphigenia
• J.C. Corry – The Storyteller’s Reputation: Geoffrey Chaucer, Reluctant Spy
• Janet Wertman – Nothing Proved
• Jean K. Dudek – The Scent of Bright Light
• K.M. Butler – The Raven and the Dove
• Keira Morgan – The Importance of Wives
• Kim Gottlieb-Walker – Caterina by Moonlight
• Lisa Llamrei – Quest for Ma’at
• Liz Sevchuk Armstrong – To Be Worthy in Honor: Book II of the Epic of Hotspur
• Logan D. Irons – City of Wolves
• Marcia Maxwell – I, Christine: a Novel
• Michael J. Cooper – The Rabbi’s Knight
• Michaela Riley – Labyrinth of Shadows: the Witch’s Rebirth Part I
• Nina Wachsman – The Courtesan’s Pirate
• Rachel Elwiss Joyce – Lady of Lincoln
• Richard G Nixon – The Legend of Fingerless Will Nixon: the Scottish Borderlands 1508-1509
• Sarah V. Barnes – She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe Book One
• Sarah V. Barnes – A Clan Chief’s Daughter: She Who Rides Horses Book Two
• Sonya Van De Graaff – The Painter From Seville

Congratulations once more to the 2024 Chaucer Grand Prize Winner for Historical Fiction

Maid of Honor

Anne Boleyn at Margaret of Austria’s Court

By Rozsa Gaston

Click here to see the full list of 2024 Chaucer Book Award Winners for Early Historical Fiction.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2026 Chaucer Book Awards for Pre-1750s Historical Fiction!

Please click here for more information.

Winners will be announced at the 2025 CIBA Awards Ceremony that is sponsored by the 2026 Chanticleer Authors Conference.

April 16 – 19, 2026! Save the Date for Registration!

Seating is Limited. The esteemed WRITER Magazine (founded in 1887) has repeatedly recognized the Chanticleer Authors Conference as one of the best conferences to attend and participate in for North America.

Join us for our annual conference and discover why!