Ready to see how your book stacks up against the competition? As literary publicists, the Books Forward team has submitted our authors to numerous book award contests over the years. And we’ve seen countless authors take home gold. Here are our top tips to make sure your submissions are well-received and your book wows the judges:
Do your research.
You want to make sure you’re submitting to reputable book award contests, so look at how long the organization has been around, and glance at titles that have won in previous years – is it brand new with a shoddy website? It might be a money grab. Do the winning titles from past years look industry standard? If so, you’re probably safe!
Look around.
Submitting for different kinds of awards can lead to a higher chance that you’ll take home a win, so while entering book award contests based on your genre (for example, The Edgar Awards are great for mystery authors) is wonderful, also think about the age range you are writing for (like Moonbeam Awards for children’s books), how you are published (Foreword is a great option for indie authors), where you live (The Southern Book Prize for Southern writers), and even if you’ve written your first book (like PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel). The possibilities are endless, so spend some time looking around!
Set a budget.
The entry costs for these book award contests can add up, so keep a shortlist of which ones you’d like to enter and how much the costs are to make sure the total is within your preferred budget. There are also awards associated with organizations that want you to join before you submit, so consider if it would be worth it for you.
Read the fine print.
Most contests have a thorough set of rules for author submissions. You’ll need to make sure you submit before the deadline (of course!) but you also need to make sure your book qualifies for the contest to begin with. Your genre, publication day, book format (ebook v. print), and publication status (self-pub v. traditional) can all factor into whether or not you qualify for certain book award contests.
Submit to the appropriate genre.
When completing your submission, you’ll frequently be asked to select a genre category for your book. Many awards allow you to submit in multiple categories, typically for an additional fee. Only select categories that truly align with your book’s genre, or you’ll be effectively sending money down the drain.
Only submit books that have been carefully edited.
Some contests allow you to submit ARCs (advance copies of your book) if the contest deadline is before your publication day. However, you should only submit a carefully edited version of your book. Submitting a final copy is always going to be your best choice.
Know when not to submit.
If your book falls in the middle of a series, it should truly be able to be read as a standalone, or else you’ll immediately fall off the judges’ radar. Mid-series books rarely do well in contests, simply due to lack of context from the previous books.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make the most of your award submissions. The contest fees can add up, and we know every penny counts. Happy submitting, and good luck!
Wondering if book award contests are a good fit for you? Not sure how to promote an award win? Check out our previous article on submitting books for awards!
Jackie Karneth is a publicist with Books Forward is an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
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