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1. The Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title
If you’ve ever chuckled at a book title and wondered, “Did someone really publish that?” you’ll love the Diagram Prize. Founded in 1978 by The Bookseller magazine, this award celebrates the most bizarre book titles published each year. Winners have included “Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop” and “How To Avoid Huge Ships.” The selection process involves public voting, which means anyone can help decide which oddball title reigns supreme. The prize is a bottle of claret, which feels just right for such an offbeat honor. The contest keeps gaining popularity, with the 2024 edition receiving over 1,000 public votes. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the book’s cover—or at least its title—really does matter.
2. The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest
This contest might be the only award that celebrates bad writing on purpose. Named after Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who famously opened a novel with “It was a dark and stormy night,” the competition invites writers to pen the worst possible opening sentence for a fictional novel. Since 1982, thousands have submitted hilariously dreadful lines, with winners like: “The bone-chilling scream pierced the night… like a sharp thing piercing something soft.” Each year, the contest attracts global entries, some from published authors just looking to have fun. There’s no cash prize, just bragging rights and a bit of literary infamy. The contest is still going strong as of 2025, with over 3,500 entries last year.
3. The Bad Sex in Fiction Award
The Literary Review’s Bad Sex in Fiction Award is infamous for spotlighting the most awkward or cringeworthy sex scenes in otherwise serious novels. Established in 1993, it’s both dreaded and anticipated in the literary world. Judges sift through mainstream novels, not erotica, to find passages that are unintentionally hilarious or deeply uncomfortable. Some well-known authors have “won” the award, including Morrissey and Tom Wolfe. The 2023 winner was praised for making readers “squirm and giggle in equal measure.” The aim, according to organizers, is to draw attention to poorly written intimate scenes, not to shame authors. In 2024, the award received more media attention than ever, with social media users dissecting winning passages online.
4. The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year
While it seems similar to the original Diagram Prize, this Bookseller-sponsored version has a twist: it’s specifically focused on book titles that are unintentionally funny or bizarre. The 2023 winner, “Was Hitler Ill?,” sparked debate and laughter across literary circles. The contest is open to all English-language books, and nominations are crowd-sourced from readers and publishers. The winner gets a modest prize, but the real reward is the viral fame that comes with such an odd distinction. The 2025 shortlist includes gems like “Cooking with Poo” (a Thai cookbook author’s nickname). Social media buzzes every year when the shortlist is announced.
5. The Literary Review’s Hatchet Job of the Year
Critics can be ruthless, but what if there was an award for the most savagely witty book review? Enter the Hatchet Job of the Year, which honors the sharpest, most cutting literary criticism published in the past year. The winner receives a golden hatchet trophy and a year’s supply of potted shrimp. Famous reviewers have taken the prize for their scathing takedowns, like one calling a memoir “the literary equivalent of soggy toast.” The award draws attention every February, with the 2024 ceremony livestreamed to thousands of fans. It’s controversial, but it reminds us that criticism is its own art form.
6. The Ig Nobel Prize for Literature
The Ig Nobel Prizes honor research that “first makes you laugh, then makes you think,” and the literature category is no exception. Past winners include a study on why people dislike legalese and a report on how bureaucrats write incomprehensible memos. The ceremony, held at Harvard University, is a parody of the Nobel Prizes and is famous for its playful atmosphere. The 2022 literature award went to a team who analyzed why legal documents are so hard to read. Each winner delivers a 60-second acceptance speech, often interrupted by a child yelling, “Please stop, I’m bored!” The Ig Nobels continue to grow in popularity, with the 2024 event streamed to a global audience.
7. The Diagram Prize for the Oddest Book Title Never Published
A newer offshoot of the original Diagram Prize, this contest asks readers to invent the oddest imaginary book title. The creativity is wild—past entries have included “How to Train Your Goldfish to Fetch the Newspaper.” There’s no actual book, just the joy of coming up with a title that makes people laugh. The 2024 winner was “The Existential Crisis of the Left Sock.” The contest is online-only, attracting thousands of votes each year. It’s proof that sometimes, the best stories are the ones that never make it to print.
8. The Thurber Prize for American Humor
Named after cartoonist and author James Thurber, this prize celebrates the funniest books by American writers. While not as bizarre as some, its focus on humor sets it apart. Winners have included David Sedaris and Trevor Noah. The 2023 award went to a debut novelist who wrote about life as a substitute teacher. The prize helps bring attention to books that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle. The Thurber Prize is serious about not being serious, and its list of winners serves as a roadmap for anyone in need of a good laugh.
9. The Foot in Mouth Award
Given by the Plain English Campaign, this award recognizes the most baffling, confusing, or downright silly public statements by public figures. While not strictly literary, it’s included here for the way it highlights the misuse of language in public life. Past winners include politicians and celebrities who’ve mangled their words in spectacular fashion. The 2024 winner was a tech CEO whose keynote included the phrase, “Our synergy is the digitalization of our holistic cloud solutions.” The award shines a light on the importance of clear communication, all with a healthy dose of humor.
10. The Dagger in the Library Award
Presented by the Crime Writers’ Association, this award goes to a crime fiction author whose body of work has given pleasure to readers. What makes it strange? The winner is chosen entirely by public vote, not by critics or industry insiders. Only library users can nominate and vote, making it a true reader’s choice. The 2024 winner, a little-known Scottish writer, saw her book sales skyrocket overnight. The award is a beloved oddity in the crime fiction community, showing the power of grassroots support.
11. The Stella Prize’s “Most Egregious Sexism in Literature” Citation
A spin-off from Australia’s Stella Prize, this tongue-in-cheek citation calls out the most glaring examples of sexism in books published that year. Announced alongside the main prize, it’s both a critique and a call for better representation. The 2023 citation went to a popular thriller with only one female character, described solely by her looks. The citation has sparked real debate about diversity and gender in publishing. It’s a badge of shame, but also a step toward change.
12. The Bookseller’s “Oddest Title of the Decade” Award
Every ten years, The Bookseller revisits its annual Diagram Prizes to crown the weirdest title of the past decade. The 2020 winner, “Greek Rural Postmen and Their Cancellation Numbers,” left readers bewildered and amused. The process involves a public vote and a panel of judges. The winner gets a special place in literary trivia history. This once-in-a-decade event is a highlight for fans of literary weirdness, and the next award is due in 2030.
13. The Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay Adaptation
Famous as “The Razzies,” this award usually targets film, but its Worst Screenplay Adaptation category is all about books turned into bad movies. Winners include adaptations of “Fifty Shades of Grey” and “Cats.” The 2024 winner was a low-budget adaptation of a best-selling romance novel that critics called “painfully unwatchable.” The Razzies are held the night before the Oscars, making them an annual guilty pleasure for movie and book lovers alike.
14. The Diagram Prize for Oddest Cookbook Title
Cookbooks get their own special attention with this unique award. The 2023 winner, “Cooking with Colostrum,” raised eyebrows and questions. The contest is fierce, with dozens of truly strange titles each year. Previous winners include “Microwave for One” and “The Whole Hog Cookbook.” The prize reminds us that food writing can be just as quirky as fiction. This contest continues to grow, with hundreds of nominations submitted from around the world in 2025.
15. The Roald Dahl Funny Prize
This UK-based award celebrates the funniest children’s books—a genre often overlooked by major prizes. Named after beloved author Roald Dahl, the prize ran from 2008 to 2013, then returned by popular demand in 2023. Winners are chosen by a panel of kids and adults, making it a true celebration of what makes children laugh. The 2024 winner, a picture book about a farting unicorn, sold out in days after the announcement. The prize encourages writers to embrace silliness and joy, making sure laughter stays at the heart of storytelling.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
