National Book Award 1998: Complete list of winners

The 1998 National Book Award for Poetry went to Gerald Stern for This Time: New and Selected Poems, a collection that showcases why this venerable literary prize remains one of America’s most prestigious honors. Stern’s win was particularly resonant that year, as it recognized a poet whose voice had deepened and matured across decades of literary work. The National Book Award has long served as a crucial marker of literary excellence, shining a spotlight on writers whose contributions shape the landscape of American letters, and Stern’s recognition underscored poetry’s vital place within that tradition.

What made Stern’s victory noteworthy was the trajectory it represented—a celebration of a career-spanning body of work that brought together new compositions alongside carefully selected earlier poems. The 1998 National Book Award ceremony drew attention to how meaningful poetry award winners can be for readers seeking to understand the year’s most significant literary achievements. For those following the National Book Awards or searching for National Book Award winners and finalists from this period, Stern’s selection offers a compelling entry point into late twentieth-century American poetry.

Below you’ll find the complete list of this year’s honorees and finalists across all categories.

Poetry

• This Time: New and Selected Poems by Gerald Stern