Book Awards for the Small Publisher
UPDATED APRIL 2024
Hello, authors and small publishers —
We often have clients with a desire to enter their books into publishing competitions. Books designed by TLC have earned more than 300 awards! It’s a great idea, but where do you start? We’ve researched the most popular national and international book awards and compiled a list of those you may want to consider. Awards are most often given for writing quality, production quality, and design (inside and cover). There are subject/genre categories, design categories, and even special awards for new publishers, new authors, or those leaving a legacy. You’ll want to choose each category wisely, as part of the criteria will be based on your book’s genre. You'll be required to send one or more copies of your book per category to the sponsoring organization. Most then donate the books to various libraries or non-profits.
Of course, if you are a finalist or winner, you are able to tout your book as an award-winner (maybe even national or international award-winner), and you become an award-winning author. You can purchase stickers to place on the cover, tout it all over your website and social media, and send out press releases to announce the news. Each competition offers their own perks to winners as well, ranging from monetary prizes, representation at trade shows, announcements in their magazines, and their own press releases.
Monica Thomas, Ian Lamont, Tami Dever, Rachel Pellegrino, winners of IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.
These three are considered some of the most prestigious for indie publishers.
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards The awards are unique in that the entrants receive direct feedback on their titles. The actual judging forms are returned to all participating publishers.
COST: IBPA members enjoy a discounted fee. Non-IBPA members pay a bit more for their first entry, but it includes a one-year membership in IBPA.
DEADLINE: Mid-December
ForeWord Indies Sponsored by ForeWord Reviews Magazine; awarded only to independently-published books.
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
Independent Publisher offers many book awards, some for specific genres. (Some are listed below.)
The IPPYs honor the year's best independently published title from around the world.
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
DEADLINE: mid-March
Author Tweed Scott (right) receiving an IPPY award for Texas in Her Own Words.
The following listings appear in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Dates are typically around the same time each year.
Prices subject to change.
Axiom Business Book Awards Books from business book authors and publishers worldwide.
COST: $79/category
DEADLINE: Late January
Babooky is new in 2024 and offers three children’s book awards including one just for authors and illustrators 4–12 years old creating handmade/homemade picture books. Multiple copyright years and divisions offered.
COST: Offers discounted codes for early entries
DEADLINE: August 9 (Moon Rabbit Honor), December 31 (Sky Lantern), April 16 (Creative Caterpillar)
Christian Small Publishers Association: Christian Indie Awards Christian books from independent publishers and authors with a copyright within the past 3 years.
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
DEADLINE: October 1
Eric Hoffer Award (along w/the Montagne Medal, da Vinci Eye, and First Horizon Awards also on their site) ELIGIBILITY: one of the largest international book awards for small, academic, and independent presses. For all books either published or copyrighted in the prior two years.
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
DEADLINE: Late January
Illumination Awards Christian-themed books written in English with copyrights of the past three years. Enduring Light Medals reward exemplary Christian-themed books published since the year 2000.
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
DEADLINE: September 30
International Book Awards Honoring excellence in independent and mainstream publishing.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to books published between 2010 and now.
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
DEADLINE: April 30
Living Now Book Awards Lifestyle, homestyle, personal development and wellness books. ELIGIBILITY: Books published within the past 3 years.
Mom’s Choice Awards Accepts products and services designed for infants through adults in more than 150 categories including children’s/family books.
COST: Two levels of entry fees
DEADLINE: accepts entries year round
The National Indie Excellence Book Awards Recognizes books that demonstrate overall excellence throughout both form and content.
COST: $75 per category
DEADLINE: March 31
Nautilus Book Awards For published books that express at least one of the following four qualities: Conscious and restorative earth practices, wellness/love/beauty, spiritual growth, or social change and social justice.
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
DEADLINE: February 1
Next Generation Indie Book Awards Open to all indie book authors and publishers in the U.S., Canada or internationally who have a published book, a manuscript, or a galley proof written in English.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to books published over the past two years.
COST: $75 for the first entry
DEADLINE: Mid-February
Whistler Independent Book Awards Recognizes excellence in Canadian self-publishing. Prizes in three categories: fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.
COST: $125 CAD
DEADLINE: April 30
Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards From Writer’s Digest magazine and exclusively for self-published books. (Also offers a writing competition.)
COST: Offers discounted rates for early entries
DEADLINE: May 1
There are also regional awards sponsored by publishing organizations. Be sure to search online for those in your state or region. In addition, there may be competitions related to your book’s topic that may or may not be solely for books, such as cookbooks, parenting, Autism spectrum, or equestrian products.
Tami, Spencer Demetrios, and editor/project manager Marla Markman
with Spencer’s Benjamin Franklin Award-winning book, The Bible: Enter Here.
Wrapping it Up
While our goal in creating a book is not to win awards, we can attest that it’s fun to be chosen, whether it’s a finalist, silver, or gold! On occasion, we’re able to attend the awards ceremonies with our clients. Those are special moments for everyone involved.
If you’re a finalist and able to attend, by all means go!
What have you entered? How did you do? How have you used your awards to gain more PR and more sales? What did you enter that’s not on our list? We want to hear from you!
Thanks and blessings,
Tami