Established in 1988 and awarded in 1989, the original Dartmouth Book Award was founded by a former Mayor of Dartmouth, Dr. John Savage, with the financial support of local corporations, businesses, and citizens interested in the province’s artistic life. The intent of the award was to celebrate works of Nova Scotian fiction and nonfiction, to honour their authors, and to encourage writers embarking on their careers. In 1990, the original award was split into the Dartmouth Book Award (Fiction) and the Dartmouth Book Award (Nonfiction).

Three and half decades later, the Dartmouth Book Awards are administered by a Steering Committee composed of members of the community and representatives from Halifax Public Libraries and Halifax Regional Municipality. The awards continue to celebrate Nova Scotian literature and recognize the valuable contribution authors make to our cultural heritage—now through four prizes, each valued at $2,000:

• Dartmouth Book Award (Fiction), first awarded as the Dartmouth Book Award in 1989
• George Borden Writing for Change Award (Nonfiction), first awarded as the Dartmouth Book Award in 1989
• Margaret & John Savage First Book Award (Fiction), first awarded in 2004
• Margaret & John Savage First Book Award (Nonfiction), first awarded in 2018