All submissions to Toyon are considered for the following awards. Awards are given at the annual release party and multilingual reading, held in the evening on the Thursday after Humboldt State University's Spring Break. All awards include a small monetary prize, publication in the journal, and recognition at the reading event. 

NEW IN 2017! ​Fuerza Award in Spoken Word, Audio, and Multimedia

Este premio es fundado por el capitulo de Lambda Theta Phi Fraternidad Latina, Inc. en Humboldt State University. El premio sirve para promover el valor cultural de las interpretaciónes orales y para animar autores a que lleven su trabajo más allá de la página. El nombre del premio viene del dicho adoptado por Lambda Theta Phi: En la unión está la fuerza. Puede seguir al capitulo aquí.
This award is funded by the undergraduate chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. at Humboldt State University. The purpose of this award is to promote the cultural significance of oral interpretations and to encourage writers to think of their work beyond the page. The award name is drawn from Lambda Theta Phi’s slogan: En la unión está la fuerza (In unity there is strength). You can follow the chapter here.

Barbara Curiel Multilingual Award
​in Translation, Multilingual, or Spanish-Language Writing

The Multilingual Award was established in 2015 with the 62nd edition of Toyon, to recognize exceptional achievement in translation, multilingual, or Spanish-language writing. The award is funded by an anonymous donor. Humboldt State University also has a bilingual Spanish-language newspaper, ​ El Leñador. Our first editor of the translation section of the journal, Andrea Curtade, worked with both publications during her time at HSU. 

Environmental Studies Program Award
​in Environmental Justice Writing

This award recognizes exceptional achievement in environmental justice writing. Established in 2016, this award is funded by the generous support of the Environmental Studies department at Humboldt State University.

Jodi Stutz Award
in Poetry

The Jodi Stutz Award, funded by Dean Cyril Oberlander and the University Library, was established in memory of a past staff member. Jodi Lee Stutz, a dedicated English student, graduated from Humboldt State University with honors with her B.A. in English in 1984. During her time with us, she served as both Assistant Editor (1983) and Managing Editor (1984) while writing poetry of her own. The Jodi Stutz Award in poetry was created by the 1987 Toyon Staff in her honor after a tragic accident took her life. She was passionate about poetry and education but still managed to find ways to crack jokes with her peers. Jodi’s writings can still be read on campus in our library's Humboldt Room. Read more. 

Richard Cortez Day Award
in Fiction

The prize for best work of fiction was established with the 45th edition of Toyon in 1999 and was renamed as the Richard Cortez Day award in 2012 with the 58th edition. Richard (Dick) Cortez Day taught English at Humboldt State University from 1959 to 1987 and was Raymond Carver’s professor. Professor Day's books include Something for the Journey and When in Florence. Funding for the award is generously provided by Professor Emeritus Jim Dodge, previous faculty advisor of Toyon and author of the novels Fup, Not Fade Away, and Stone Junction and a collection of poetry and prose, Rain on the River. Read more.

Redwood Empire Mensa Award
in Creative Nonfiction

The North Coast chapter of Mensa recognizes an exceptional work of creative nonfiction each year through the Redwood Empire Mensa Award. The Mensa Foundation has as its mission to recognize, encourage and communicate excellence in human intelligence. Toyon is thankful to partner with the North Coast Mensans to encourage creative writing.

English Department Award
in Critical Analysis 

This award, funded by Humboldt State University English department, recognizes exceptional analytical works by students, scholars, and professionals of any discipline. This may include cultural criticism, literary criticism, linguistic analysis, and many other genres of analytical scholarship. Students may submit papers that they have written for classes for publication and consideration for this award. The award focuses primarily on critical and analytical works that are relevant to language, literature, and art.

Toyon Staff Award
​in Visual Art

The Toyon Staff award, established in 2006, recognizes the talent of visual artists. It is awarded to the best piece of artwork submitted, including, but not limited to, photographs, digital art, and traditional art.