Gore Vidal, Dave Eggers to receive honorary National Book Awards

Vidal, Eggers to receive honorary awards

NEW YORK — Congratulations, Gore Vidal.

The author, playwright and political commentator will receive an honorary National Book Award medal this fall for “Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.” Vidal, who turns 84 next month, is known for such best sellers as “Burr” and “Lincoln,” and for the play “The Best Man.”

Award organizers also announced Tuesday that Dave Eggers, 39, will be presented the “Literarian Award” for community service. Eggers, whose books include “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,” helped found 826 Valencia, which works with young people to develop writing skills, and has centers based in San Francisco, New York and several other cities.

The ceremony for the National Book Awards, now in their 60th year, will be held Nov. 18. Author-comedian Andy Borowitz will host.