Spur Awards are literary prizes given each year by the Western Writers of America (WWA). These awards recognize writers for outstanding writing about the American West. The Spur Awards began in 1953, the same year the WWA was created. A writer does not need to be a member of the WWA to win a Spur Award. Past winners include Larry McMurtry for Lonesome Dove, Michael Blake for Dances with Wolves, Glendon Swarthout for The Shootist, and Tony Hillerman for Skinwalkers.

The Owen Wister Award, which honors lifetime achievement in Western literature, was first given in 1961. This award is also presented by the WWA but is separate from the Spur Awards.

At first, there were five Spur Award categories: western novel, historical novel, juvenile, short story, and reviewer. Over time, these categories have grown and changed, sometimes being renamed. Not every category receives an award each year. The 2015 Spur Awards included the following categories: