Louis Owens Essay Prize

Louis Owens at San Jose State University in 1987

Louis Owens at San Jose State University in 1987, visiting what was then called the Steinbeck Research Center.

In memory of Louis Owens, The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies established this award to honor undergraduate or graduate student work on Steinbeck and related subjects. If you wish to support the prize, please make donation checks payable to the SJSU Research Foundation. Note on check that it is for the "Louis Owens Essay Prize." The award is given annually to the best undergraduate or graduate student essay on Steinbeck. Students may submit, or faculty may submit on their behalf.


Deadline: postmark of 31 January of each year
Length: 12-40 pages
Format: MLA
Award: $250.00 and consideration for publication in Steinbeck Review

Send as attachment to steinbeck@sjsu.edu, or by regular mail to:

Louis Owens Essay Prize
Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies
San José State University
San José, California 95192-0202