This is one aspect of book marketing and awareness building, that is overlooked by so many authors. It’s unfortunate, because finding a place in an independent publisher book awards competition can serve as fantastic social proof. Any detail of an award or honourable mention you include in book blogger pitches, book reviewer requests and other media channels will increase your credibility in their eyes.
If you don’t get listed, no harm, no foul. It’s not broadcasted to the world. Simply keep writing and enter your next book for consideration. There’s many award competitions out there, some are simply grabbing money from naive authors, some are credible and influential.
Here’s a book awards list of what I believe, is a handful from some of the most beneficial and credible book award competitions for independent authors. They all have an entry fee and one reason for this is that it serves as a filter of quality entrants and those with a key focus on receiving additional social proof and its benefits.
Note: Just to make it clear, I’m not affiliated with any of these organisations. This article serves as a reference for you, so you get the most from your efforts when considering entering your next book.
Writers Digest Self Published Book Awards
Exclusively for self published books, Writers Digest hosts this competition to place a spotlight on high quality books and their authors. One of the requirements is that authors have paid the full cost of publication, or the cost of printing has been paid for by a grant or as part of a prize. There’s nine categories to select from, substaintial prizes, multiple place winners and honourable mention winners.
Entry fees:
$100 for the first entry
$75 for each additional entry
For category listings, submission deadline and requirements
Visit: http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions/selfpublished
National Indie Excellence Book Awards
The Indie Excellence Awards celebrates the rising trend of the quality of some self published books rivaling that of trade houses (which we create for Book Cover Cafe authors). With over a hundred categories, the Indie Excellence Awards opens its doors to authors, small presses, independent presses, hybrid-publishers and self-published work.
Entry fees:
$69.00 per entry/per Category
For category listings, submission deadline and requirements
Visit: http://www.indieexcellence.com/
The Ben Franklin Awards
Considered one of the highest and prestigous book awards in independent publishing. There are over fifty categories, judged by a huge panel of industry professionals.
Entry fees:
IBPA member – $90 per title, per category
Non-IBPA member – $190 for first title, which includes one year’s membership in IBPA; $90 per title, per category for second and subsequent entries.
For category listings, submission deadline and requirements
Visit: http://ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com/
The Moombeam Children’s Book Awards
Designed to increase acknowledgement and recognition for the best in children’s books and their creators. The Moombeam awards are open to authors, illustrators and publishers of children’s books.
Entry fees:
$75 per book, per category – early bird entry fee
$85 per book, per category – standard fee
$95 per book, per category – late entry fee
For category listings, submission deadline and requirements
Visit: http://www.moonbeamawards.com/
Global eBook Awards
Submissions are open to publishers, authors, illustrators and even photographers. The Global eBook Awards founded by self publishing legend Dan Poynter, considers both self published and traditionally published books. Over ninety categories are available and your eBook must be published and offered for sale online.
Entry fees:
1-6 entries: $79 USD each; normally authors, the copyright owner.
Order 7 entries and get 15% off entire order; normally publishers, the ISBN owner.
For category listings, submission deadline and requirements
Visit: http://globalebookawards.com/
The IPPY Awards
The Independent Publisher Book Awards, honors the best independently published titles. Open to authors and publishers worldwide. There’s over seventy categories including eBooks and regional awards for the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Winners receive medals, certificates and garner valuable credibility and publicity.
Entry fees:
National entry fee per category is:
$75 per book, per category – early bird entry fee
$85 per book, per category – standard fee
$95 per book, per category – late entry fee
Add Regional entry to your National entry for $45.
Regional Entry Only – Same as national rate. Add E-B
For category listings, submission deadline and requirements
Visit: http://www.independentpublisher.com/ipland/IPAwards.php
I recommend you bookmark this independent publisher book awards list for future reference. Best of luck!
Anthony
Positioning for the spotlight
