30 Book Awards You Should Know About (Trad & Self-Pub!)

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Book awards are not only a wonderful honor for an author (and a publisher!), but for both self-published and traditionally published books, they can also attract media attention, attract new audiences, support promotional efforts and increase sales. Below, we’ve compiled a list of fantastic book awards authors and publishers should know about (and can submit to!), but first let’s talk data.

You are reading: Awards for self published books

Do book awards have actionable impacts? Yes! Including praise in book promotions can increase engagement. Bookbub’s a/b test results have shown that including praise increases the click-through rate of featured ads. Readers respond well to mentions of an author’s accolades, including awards the author has won. Ads naming prestigious gender-specific awards increased ctrs by up to 25%, with an average increase of 5%. Please note that these results are specific to bookbub users, but this language is worth trying out in your own promotions.

Here’s an example (although this is from a 2016 a/b test, we’ve seen award mentions consistently increase performance over the years):

Because readers find award winners attractive, earning accolades and book prizes can also help you increase your chances of being selected for a featured bookbub offer.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… it’s book award time! Keep in mind that this isn’t a completely comprehensive list, and you should do some research to find the awards that best fit your book, but we hope this gets your research off to a good start. you can jump to a specific section here:

self-published book awards
unpublished manuscript awards
traditionally published book awards
genre-specific awards

awards for self-published books

1. the Independent Reader Discovery Award

Now in its tenth year, the IndieReaders Discovery Awards, sponsored by Smith Publicity, Featherlight, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management and KDP: They have multiple awards including “Best First Book,” “Best Book by Genre,” and “Best Fiction and Entertainment” overall. nonfiction.” The judging panel recommends the top winners of the IndieReaders Discovery Awards to dystel, goderich & bourret for representation, with winners also receiving various awards depending on the category won.

who can win? self-published authors, independent publishers or university presses, either in e-book or paper format.
when can it be submitted? annually; this year’s deadline is from April 26, 2019 to February 28, 2020.
Entry fee: $149 per title and an additional $50 per category submitted.
some previous winners:

2. the independent publisher book awards

Sponsored by an independent publisher since 1996, the “ippy” awards have described themselves as a “broad, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry.” award gold, silver, and bronze medals to winners in more than 100 categories and feature them in approximately 50 articles and press releases.

who can win? self-published authors, independent publishers, university publishers.
when can it be submitted? annually; in 2019, submission dates are between August 2019 and February 22, 2020.
Entry fee: $75 to $95 depending on time of submission.
>some previous winners:

3. the prologue of the independent book of the year award

With 56 categories to enter, the Prologue Indie Awards offer a chance for some serious recognition – and prizes! The top two winners each receive a $1,500 cash prize and are promoted with the other finalists through press releases, articles and social media to the prologue list of over 10,000 industry connections. prologue reviews sponsors these awards.

who can apply? self-published authors, independent publishers, university presses.
when can you submit? annually; the deadline this year is January 31, 2020.
entry fee: $99 for the first category, $79 for the following categories.
some previous winners:

4. the next generation independent book awards

From 70 categories, the Next Generation Independent Book Awards offer $1,500 to its top two winners, as well as smaller cash prizes and a trophy for finalists in all categories. In addition, New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of the Allen O’Shea Literary Agency will consider the top 70 books for publication. The independent group of book publishing professionals sponsors these awards.

who can win? self-published authors, independent publishers, university presses.
when can you submit? annually; the deadline this year is February 14, 2020.
entry fee: $75 for the first category, $60 for subsequent categories.
some previous winners:

5. award for best independent book

The “biba” is a self-sponsored international award that annually honors exceptional works of fiction and non-fiction, divided into genres, as well as awards for best illustration and best book cover design. winners receive a beautiful crystal trophy and promotion of their winning book in newsletters, social media, and press releases.

who can win? self-published authors, independent publishers, university presses.
when can you submit? annually; showings open in January and close in mid-October each year.
registration fee: $50 fee per book.
some previous winners:

6. the national awards for independent excellence

Sponsored by Smarketing LLC, the independent National Awards for Excellence recognize books that “demonstrate overall excellence through a synergy of form and content” in their respective genre categories. Now in its fourteenth year of awards, these awards offer winners promotion and national media coverage.

who can win? small publishers, medium independent publishers, university presses and self-published authors. note: only printed books can be entered, not electronic books.
when can you send them? annually; this year’s submission deadline is from August 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020.
Entry fee: $75 per category.
some previous winners:

7. eric hoffer book award

the eric hoffer book award has honored independent books for nearly two decades in memory of its namesake, with the permission of the eric hoffer estate. offers a grand prize of $2,500 to one recipient each year, as well as awards for press distinction, category-based honors, and other specialized awards.

who can win? self-published authors, academic publishers, small publishers/micro publishers.
when can you submit? annually; the deadline this year is January 21, 2020.
entry fee: $60.
some previous winners:

8. Writer’s Digest Self-Published eBook Award

This annual writer’s digest award honors one grand prize winner (in all genres) with $5,000 cash, a featured interview in their magazine, and a paid trip to the annual writer’s digest conference! Winning first prize in each category is no small prize either: $1,000 in cash and a press ad.

who can win? self-published e-book authors and authors who publish with a small publisher that publishes fewer than 12 books a year. note: e-books must be between 40,000 and 100,000 words.
when can you send them? annually; usually between April 1 and the end of May.
Entry fee: between $99 and $125 depending on time of submission; additional cost per category sent to.
some previous winners:

9. ruby book award

the rubery book award is an international book awards organization that offers a grand prize for “book of the year”, which includes a cash prize of £1500, as well as publication consideration from one of the leading literary agencies From london. Minor prizes are also awarded to finalists.

who can win? self-published authors and independent publishers
when can it be submitted? annually; this year’s deadline is March 31, 2020.
entry fee: £37 / $60.
some previous winners :

Awards for unpublished manuscripts

10. Fiction Fall House Award

The Fall House Fiction Award is unique in that it honors books that have yet to be published. If you have a manuscript between 200 and 300 pages, consider submitting it for this annual award. autumn house offers the grand prize winner a book publishing contract with a $2,500 advance, and other finalists are also being considered for publication. In addition, Autumn House offers a Nonfiction Contest and an Emerging Poetry Writers Contest.

who can win? all authors whose manuscripts are unpublished, as well as self-published authors. note: only fiction (and subgenres of fiction) are considered.
when can you submit? from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.
entry fee: $30.
some previous winners:

11. nilsen literary award

Like the Fall House Prize, the Nilsen Literary Prize for a First Novel considers only unpublished manuscripts, and offers publication! Southeastern Missouri State University Press offers the winner of this publication an annual award and $2,000.

who can win? all authors whose novels are unpublished. note: you cannot submit a title that has already been self-published; the manuscript must never have been published in any way.
when can you send it? annual deadline is November 1st.
entry fee: $30.
some past winners:

awards for traditionally published books

12. national book awards

Each year, the National Book Foundation brings together 25 esteemed judges to honor what they consider to be America’s best literature. Five runners-up in each category will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and the winner of each category will receive $10,000!

who can win? us. authors who have been nominated by their publisher.
when can you send? March 1-May 15.
entry fee: $135.
some past winners:

13. dublin impac international literary prize

Awarded annually since 1994 to a novel achieving “high literary merit”, this prize honors the winner with a cash prize of €100,000. Dublin City Council, Ireland sponsors this award.

who can win? more than 400 invited public libraries from around the world nominate books for consideration.
when can you submit them? The call for nominations starts in February/March, and the deadline is in May.
Registration fee: free.
some previous winners:

14. the encore award

First presented in 1990 and now facilitated by the royal society of literature, the encore award honors outstanding second novels. The annual UK-based winner of this award receives a prize of £10,000.

who can win? UK publishers can submit books for consideration.
when can you submit? annually; the deadline this year is January 31, 2020.
entry fee: free.
some previous winners:

15. female fiction award

First awarded in 1996 in reaction to the shortlist for the all-male 1991 Booker Prize, the Women’s Prize for Fiction annually honors exceptional books by women writers. Now sponsored by the Women’s Prize Fund, the award is considered one of the UK’s most prestigious awards. the winner receives £30,000.

who can win? women authors; publishers must submit books for consideration.
when can you submit? annually; this year’s deadline is September 2, 2019 to November 11, 2020.
Entry Fee: If shortlisted, the publisher must contribute £1,000 to be considered as a finalist.
some previous winners:

16. the booker award

For over 50 years, the prestigious Booker Prize has been awarded annually to an outstanding work of fiction, with the winner receiving £50,000. In 2019, Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman, replaced the men’s group as sponsor of this award. Being long-listed for this award is also a great honor, attracting international attention. see also: the international booker award.

who can win? Any novel originally written in English and published in the UK and Ireland in the year of the award is eligible.
when can you ship? annually; between December and March.
entry fee: the booker prize asks shortlisted publishers to contribute £5,000 for advertising.
some winners above:

17. pen/hemingway award for debut novel

Among other awards, such as the Emerging Writers Award, Pen America honors a debut novel in all genres each year. the winner receives $25,000 and all honorees receive residency scholarships at the ucross foundation in wyoming.

who can win? traditionally published in usa. uu. authors note: publishers or literary agents should handle the submission process; authors cannot submit their own book.
when can you submit? annually; next year’s submission deadline is June 1, 2020 to August 15, 2020.
registration fee: $85.
some previous winners:

18. open book pen award

pen america also sponsors the pen open book award, which celebrates and honors exceptional books published by authors of color. the winner receives a cash prize of $5,000!

who can win? authors of color who have not received widespread media coverage. note: publishers or literary agents should handle the submission process; authors cannot submit their own book.
when can you submit? annually; this year’s deadline was from June 1, 2019 to August 15, 2019.
registration fee: $85.
some previous winners:

gender-specific awards

19. horror: bram stoker award

The Horror Writers Association presents the Bram Stoker Award in categories including Young Adult, First Novel, Anthology and more for “superior achievement” in horror and dark fantasy writing. authors and publishers can submit books, or hwa members can nominate books for consideration.

who can win? both self-published and traditionally published authors writing in the horror genre.
when can you apply? the final deadline is November 30 of each year.
registration fee: free.
some previous winners:

20. science fiction and fantasy: the hugo award

Like the Bram Stoker Awards, the prestigious Hugo Awards are based on a World Science Fiction Society voting and nomination system, and are awarded annually to works of science fiction and fantasy.

who can win? self-published authors, traditionally published authors, artists, publications, publishers and more, as long as they are creating works in the science fiction or fantasy genre. note: you cannot submit your own book; a wsfs member must nominate books for consideration.
when can you submit them? nominations take place between January and March each year.
entry fee: free.
some previous winners:

21. science fiction and fantasy: nebula awards

The annual Nebula Awards celebrate science fiction and fantasy writing. America’s science fiction and fantasy writers nominate, vote, and select the winners. winners are invited to attend the nebula awards banquet, which includes panel discussions and meetings with publishers and agents.

who can win? Both self-published and traditionally published authors writing in the science fiction or fantasy genre. note: an sfwa member must nominate a book for her consideration; authors, editors, publishers or agents may not nominate their own work. winners do not have to be members of the sfwa.
when can you submit? the nomination period is from November 15 to February 15 of each year.
registration fee: free.
some previous winners:

22. lgbt: lambda literary awards

For more than three decades, the “Lammies” have celebrated LGBT publications, honoring books based on “literary merit and content relevant to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.” Lambda Literary has sponsored these annual awards since 1997.

who can win? self-published authors and traditionally published authors. note: only books in print format can be considered.
when can you send them? annually; between September 5 and November 15, 2019.
entry fee: $55.
some previous winners:

23. child: newbery medal

Operating since 1922, the newbery medal is the oldest continuous award for distinguished children’s books in the world. The American Library Association awards the medal in January of each year.

who can win? any US author (self-published or traditionally published) whose book is intended for children ages 14 and under.
when you can Send? Deadline is December 31 of each year.
Entry fee: Free.
Some past winners:

24. christian fiction: the christy awards

Named for Catherine Marshall’s best-selling novel, Christy, the Christy Awards have honored excellence in fiction written from a Christian worldview since 1991. The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association presents these awards annually, selecting a winner from each of its nine categories.

who can win? traditionally published authors and self-published authors if they meet certain requirements.
when can you apply? annually; next year’s submission period is March 1-31, 2020.
entry fee: $175.
some past winners :

25. political writing: orwell award

the orwell foundation presents this annual award, named after acclaimed 1984 author, george orwell, to honor exceptional works of fiction and nonfiction that “make an art of political writing” . In its second year only, this award awards £3,000 to its winners.

who can win? books must be submitted by their publisher, and the book must have been first published, or published simultaneously, in the uk.
when can you send? annually; 2019 deadline is October 31.
Entry Fee: The Orwell Prize asks shortlisted publishers to contribute £150.
previous winners:

26. mystery: the edgar awards

America’s Mystery Writers present the Edgar Awards annually to celebrate mystery books. Named for Edgar Allen Poe, the Edgar Awards have multiple sub-genres, including short stories, young adult, true crime, and more. they are largely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the genre!

who can win? authors writing in the mystery/thriller genre who meet active membership requirements.
when will can you submit? these awards operate on a staggered submission schedule based on publication date throughout the year. check the calendar here.
entry fee: free.
some previous winners:

27. criminal writing: the daggers

Aptly named for their genre, the Daggers are annual awards presented by the Crime Writers Association for excellence in crime fiction and non-fiction. authors, agents, publishers, and other members of the literary community attend the awards gala each year.

who can win? publishers must submit books for consideration.
when can you submit? the date final deadline is November 30th each year.
entry fee: free.
some previous winners:

28. romance: rita awards

With 13 subcategories, the Rita Awards are a coveted honor for novels and romance novels. America’s Romance Writers facilitate these annual awards. Tip: They only accept 1,200 paid submissions, so apply as soon as the submission date opens!

who can win? self-published and traditionally published authors writing in the romance genre. note: submissions from rwa members have priority; authors can become members of the rwa for an annual fee of $99.
when can you submit? annually; this year’s submission deadline is December 3 to January 3, 2020.
entry fee: $50 for first entry.
some previous winners :

29. young adult: the michael l. printz award

The Association for Young Adult Library Services annually presents the Printz Award, honoring “the best book written for teens, based entirely on literary merit.” the award is named after a school librarian and active yalsa member. booklist, a publication of the wing, sponsors this award.

who can win? authors of your literature. note: Authors, editors, publishers, and agents can’t nominate their own titles (time to ask your friends for help!).
when can you submit ? Submissions can be submitted throughout the year with a deadline of December 1st. winners are selected in January.
entry fee: free.
some previous winners:

30. young adult debut: the morris award

also presented by the association for young adult library services and first awarded in 2009, the morris award honors a debut book written for young adults (ages 12-18) and celebrates new authors writing in the gender.

who can win? first-time authors of your literature. note: Authors, editors, publishers, and agents can’t nominate their own titles (time to ask your friends for help!).
when can you submit ? Submissions can be submitted throughout the year, with winners selected and announced each December.
Entry Fee: Free.
some previous winners:

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30 Book Awards You Should Know About (Trad & Self-Pub!)

awards for self-published books