The National Literary Foundation also recognizes books in other categories. These are what we like to call special book categories where literature may not fall into one of other award categories, but we believe should receive an award because of its contribution to the world of literature. One of these categories is for sexual literature which is the best in  literature with a sexual theme that's not pornographic or overly erotic. Awards given for these special categories are given out to books published within the last three years of the award year.

     The S.T.I.F. Award is the National Literary Award Committee’s recognition for the best in  literature with a sexual theme. The title of the award is for sexual tales in fiction, which is part of our sexual tales in literature category . This award recognizes the best books, independent and mainstream, with a sexual nature that cannot be classified as eroticism or romance. The award is for the books that show a great literary theme through the medium of the sex. The S.T.I.F. award is meant to recognize the best of literature that exemplifies metaphor and intimacy through the human condition in sexual literature.  This award is given out to books in this category published within the last three years of the award year.