It is awarded every year to a Norwegian author or organization.

The prize is presented to a Norwegian author for a literary work as agreed to among the members.

He is known as one of the earliest Norwegian authors with a rural background.

Nygard is now considered one the most important Norwegian authors of his time, but was, however, not especially acknowledged while alive.

It contains a register of works by Norwegian authors printed abroad, after 1814.

He was a member of the Norwegian Authors' Union from 1987 to 1988 and 1993 to 1996.

He was a board member of the Norwegian Authors' Union from 1968 to 1979.

She was leader of the Norwegian Authors' Union from 1977 to 1981.

He was leader of the Norwegian Authors' Union from 2001 to 2005.

From 2005 she is leader of the Norwegian Authors' Union.