Book Awards
Winning an award for your book is not just an affirmation of your talent as a writer. It can also be a huge marketing boost for your book's sales. Most of the better awards receive a lot of media coverage and are followed by publishers. librarians, book reviewers, and, most importantly, book buyers. In addition to the free publicity that comes with winning an award, the author and publisher can then promote the award in marketing material, on the book's cover, and in online listings.
We have grouped our listing of book awards into several classifications based on their prestige and eligibility requirements. We try to keep current on the award criteria and submission deadlines, but you should click on the award name to go to the award's website for the latest information.
Major Awards - These are the most prestigious book awards, but are limited to entries from traditional publishers.
Top Indie Awards - These programs allow or are limited to books published by independent publishers, including self-published authors. We have listed them from broadest genre eligibility to most restrictive. Some of these are "Pay to Win" awards, but they have reached a high enough level of credibility and recognition in the industry to justify their inclusion in this list.
Children's Books - There are more awards available for Children's and Young Adult Books than any other genre. We have put the awards in these genres which are open to independently published books in their own group.
eBooks - There are a few awards that are open only to eBooks. This does not necessarily mean that the book is only available as an eBook, but the award is based on the eBook version and usually looks at design as strongly as content.
Pay to Win - These awards are primarily commercial operations where the primary winner is the sponsor. Although the author can legitimately promote that they have won the award and it may help direct sales to consumers, the awards hold little weight with librarians, publishers, and book retailers.
Looking for a specific award? Want to search by genre? Use our searchable table.
Can't find it? If you have a question on an award not listed here, please ask us to check it out.
Batchelder Award
Belpré Medal
Caldecott Medal
Geisel Award
Newbery Medal
Odyssey Award
Sibert Medal
Wilder Medal
Genre: Various types of Children’s Books
Other entry criteria: Must be nominated by an ALA librarian
Sponsor: American Library Association
Entry deadline: Various
Entry fee: $0
Alex Awards
Edwards Award
Morris Award
Odyssey Award
Nonfiction Award
Printz Award
Genre: Various types of Young Adult Books
Other entry criteria: Must be nominated by an ALA librarian
Sponsor: Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA)
Entry deadline: Various
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Fiction
Other entry criteria: Established publishers only
Sponsor: The Man Group
Entry deadline: March
Eligible time of publication: Oct.-Sept. of Award Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 5 Christian categories
Other entry criteria: Established publishers only
Sponsor: Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
Entry deadline: September
Eligible time of publication: Prior October to September of Award Year
Entry fee: $175
National Book Critics Circle Award
Genre: Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Poetry, and Criticism
Other entry criteria: Selected for consideration by a member of the Book Critics Circle
Sponsor: National Book Critics Circle
PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
Genre: Fiction
Other entry criteria: Established publishers only
Sponsor: PEN/Faulkner Foundation
Entry deadline: Oct. 15
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Children's Books
Other entry criteria: Author must be SCBWI member and published by recognized publisher
Sponsor: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Entry deadline: March 21
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Mystery
Other entry criteria: Must be published by approved publisher
Sponsor: Mystery Writers of America
Entry deadline: Month of Publication
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature
Other entry criteria: Established publishers and independent publishers
Sponsor: National Book Foundation
Entry deadline: May 16
Eligible time of publication: Prior Dec. to Nov. of Award Year
Entry fee: $135
Genre: All
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Before Columbus Foundation
Entry deadline: Dec. 31
Eligible time of publication: Any
Entry fee: $0
Genre: All - See website for details
Other entry criteria: Books by Canadians in various genres
Sponsor: Canada Council for the Arts
Entry deadline: Various
Eligible time of publication: Various
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 41 Genre categories; 8 Design categories; 6 New Author/Publisher Awards
Other entry criteria: Independently published books only
Sponsor: IBPA
Entry deadline: Dec. 15
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $95 (IBPA membership required - $129/year)
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Genre: 70 General Subject Matter categories; 6 Top Fiction/Non-Fiction Awards
Other entry criteria: none
Sponsor: IBPPG.com
Entry deadline: February
Eligible time of publication: Prior 2 calendar years
Entry fee: $75
Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards
Genre: 66 Genre categories
Other entry criteria: Independently published books only
Sponsor: Foreword Magazine
Entry deadline: Jan. 15
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $99 (early bird discounts available)
Genre: 77 Genre categories; 3 Design categories; 10 eBook; 12 Regional categories
Other entry criteria: Independently published books only
Sponsor: Jenkins Group
Entry deadline: End of February
Eligible time of publication: Prior 2 Calendar Years
Entry fee: $95 (early bird discounts available)
Genre: 37 Categories of spiritual growth, conscious living and positive social change
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Nautilus Awards
Entry deadline: February
Eligible time of publication: Prior 2 Calendar Years
Entry fee: $185
Genre: Works of moral insight and imagination which uphold a vision of political inclusion, compassion, and justice
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Entry deadline: Early February
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $75
Genre: Books by African American authors about the African American experience
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Black Caucus of the ALA
Entry deadline: Dec. 16
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 28 LGBT categories
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Lambda Literary
Entry deadline: Dec. 1
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $45
Genre: 18 General categories
Other entry criteria: Author must be Maine resident (includes seasonal residents)
Sponsor: Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance
Entry deadline: February.
Eligible time of publication: Any
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 8 General categories
Other entry criteria: Author must be Minnesota resident
Sponsor: The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
Entry deadline: First Friday in Dec.
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $45
Genre: 12 Romance categories
Other entry criteria: Anyone can enter, but RWA members receive preference
Sponsor: Romance Writers of America
Entry deadline: Nov. 20
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $50 ($170 for non-members)
Genre: Crime Fiction (crime, suspense, thriller, mystery, or espionage
Other entry criteria: Usually nominated by a member, but other submissions are accepted
Sponsor: International Association of Crime Writers / North American Branch
Entry deadline: Dec. 15
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Traditional Mystery
Other entry criteria: Must be nominated by a member, but membership is quite open
Sponsor: Mystery Readers International
Entry deadline: Dec.
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Traditional Mystery
Other entry criteria: Main character must be a Private Investigator
Sponsor: Private Eye Writers of America
Entry deadline: March
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 12 Cookbook categories
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: James Beard Foundation
Entry deadline: Dec. 11
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $150
Genre: 12 Western categories
Other entry criteria:
Sponsor: Western Writers of America
Entry deadline:
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Horror Fiction
Other entry criteria: Nomination by member or selection from submissions
Sponsor: Horror Writers Association
Entry deadline: Nov. 30
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction set in the Americas
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Scott O’Dell
Entry deadline: Dec. 31
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy
Other entry criteria: Must be nominated by a member
Sponsor: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Entry deadline: Feb. 15
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy
Other entry criteria: Must be nominated by a member
Sponsor: MidAmeriCon II
Entry deadline: March
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
James Tiptree, Jr. Literary Award
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy
Other entry criteria: Emphasis on female authors (see website)
Sponsor: James Tiptree Jr. Literary Council
Entry deadline: Dec.
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 5 categories of children's and young adult books
Other entry criteria: Must be SCBWI member
Sponsor: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Entry deadline:
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 5 categories of children's and young adult books
Other entry criteria: Only self-published books. Must be SCBWI member
Sponsor: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Entry deadline:
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 3 categories of children's and young adult books
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Horn Book
Entry deadline: May
Eligible time of publication: Prior 12 months
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 3 Grade level categories for Christian Children and YA books
Other entry criteria: Winners based on voting, not judging.
Sponsor: Triple Crown Awards (National Christian School Association)
Entry deadline: October
Eligible time of publication: Current and Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
ILA Children's and Young Adults' Book Awards
Genre: 6 categories of children's and young adult books
Other entry criteria: Author’s 1st or 2nd book
Sponsor: International Literacy Association
Entry deadline: Jan. 15
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Association of Jewish Libraries
Entry deadline: Nov. 30
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $0
Genre: 3 divisions of Young Adult
Other entry criteria: Must be nominated by parent, teacher, or librarian in Pacific Northwest
Sponsor: Pacific Northwest Library Association
Entry deadline: Oct. 30
Eligible time of publication: 3rd prior calendar year (e.g., 2014 publication date for 2017 award)
Entry fee: $0
Genre: Children’s Science book
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: 15º Laboratory
Entry deadline: March
Eligible time of publication: Prior 5 Years
Entry fee: $0
Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
See entry under Pay to Win
Library Journal's Indie eBook Awards
Genre: Romance; Science Fiction; Mystery; Fantasy; Young Adults
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Library Journal
Entry deadline: July 31
Eligible time of publication: Any
Entry fee: $0
Benjamin Franklin Digital Book Awards
Genre: 4 Platform-based categories
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: IBPA
Entry deadline: Rolling – Awards made quarterly
Eligible time of publication: Any
Entry fee: $75 (IBPA membership required - only $75 w/ entry - save $55)
Genre: 100 General Subject Matter; 6 “Best of” Awards
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Para Publishing
Entry deadline: April
Eligible time of publication: Current and prior 2 calendar years
Entry fee: $79
Genre: 22 Business related categories
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Jenkins Group
Entry deadline: Dec. 10
Eligible time of publication: Current calendar year plus part of prior year
Entry fee: $95 (early bird discounts available)
eLit Digital Publishing Awards
Genre: 60 General Subject Matter categories; 5 Design categories
Other entry criteria: eBooks only
Sponsor: Jenkins Group
Entry deadline: Jan. 31
Eligible time of publication: Prior 2 calendar years
Entry fee: $90 (early bird discounts available)
Genre: 29 Lifestyle categories; 5 Evergreen Medals
Other entry criteria: none
Sponsor: Jenkins Group
Entry deadline: July 16
Eligible time of publication: Current and prior calendar year
Entry fee: $95 (early bird discounts available)
Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
Genre: 42 Children's and YA categories; 5 eBook categories
Other entry criteria: none
Sponsor: Jenkins Group
Entry deadline: August 20
Eligible time of publication: Current and prior calendar year
Entry fee: $85 (early bird discounts available)
Genre: 19 Christian and YA categories; 5 Enduring Light categories
Other entry criteria: none
Sponsor: Jenkins Group
Entry deadline: Mid Nov.
Eligible time of publication: Current and prior calendar year
Entry fee: $95 (early bird discounts available)
Genre: Over 150 Non-fiction categories
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Nonfiction Authors Association (Stephanie Chandler)
Entry deadline: Rolling – not competition, more of a "pass/fail" system
Eligible time of publication: Any
Entry fee: $300
Genre: 130+ General Subject Matter categories; 5 Design categories ;10 Regional Awards
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Smarketing LLC (Ellen Reid)
Entry deadline: Oct. 31
Eligible time of publication: Current and prior 2 calendar years
Entry fee: $75
National Indie Excellence Awards
Genre: 130+ General Subject Matter categories; 5 Design categories ;10 Regional Awards
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Smarketing LLC (Ellen Reid)
Entry deadline: April 10
Eligible time of publication: Current and prior 3 calendar years
Entry fee: $75
See entry under Major Awards
Christianity Today Book Awards
Genre: 13 Christian categories
Other entry criteria: None
Sponsor: Christianity Today
Entry deadline: August
Eligible time of publication: Prior Nov. to Oct. of Award Year
Entry fee: $30
Genre: 9 Christian Fiction categories
Other entry criteria: Authors must meet certain prior publishing criteria
Sponsor: Christy Awards
Entry deadline: Early Dec.
Eligible time of publication: Current Calendar Year
Entry fee: $175
Genre: 11 Christian Fiction categories
Other entry criteria: Independently published books are pre-screened for quality
Sponsor: American Christian Fiction Writers
Entry deadline: March 15
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $115 ($45 for ACFW members)
Genre: 10 Christian Fiction categories
Other entry criteria: Unpublished manuscripts only!
Sponsor: American Christian Fiction Writers
Entry deadline: March 15
Entry fee: $95 ($35 for ACFW members)
Genre: 33 Christian (Catholic) categories
Other entry criteria: Catholic
Sponsor: Catholic Press Association
Entry deadline: March 31
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Year
Entry fee: $76 ($36 for CPA members)
Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award
Genre: 14 Christian Genres
Other entry criteria: Winners based on voting, not judging. Must be sold in retail stores.
Sponsor: Christian Small Publishers Association
Entry deadline: Nov. 15
Eligible time of publication: Current and Prior Calendar Years
Entry fee: $45
Genre: 37 Christian Genres
Other entry criteria: Winners based on voting, not judging.
Sponsor: Christian Retailing Magazine (Charisma Media)
Entry deadline: End of February
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Years
Entry fee: $60
Genre: 28 Christian Genres
Other entry criteria: Not clear if open to non-Canadians
Sponsor: The Word Guild (Canada)
Entry deadline: Jan. 15
Eligible time of publication: Prior Calendar Years
Entry fee: $110 CAD ($55 CAD for Word Guild members)
See entry under Children's Books
See entry under Pay to Win
Search and Sort the Book Awards
This table contains an abbreviated listing of all of the awards contests listed in the sections above. You can search and sort the awards in this table to help you to find the appropriate contests for you to enter. The Genre is listed as "Many", unless we feel there is a more limited Genre that might be helpful in your search.
| Award Name | Sponsor | Category | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Awards | Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA) | Major Awards | Young Adult |
| American Book Awards | Before Columbus Foundation | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Axiom Business Book Awards | Jenkins Group | Pay to Win | Many |
| Batchelder Award | American Library Association | Major Awards | Children |
| Belpre Medal | American Library Association | Major Awards | Children |
| Benjamin Franklin Awards | Independent Book Publishers Association | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Benjamin Franklin Digital Book Awards | Independent Book Publishers Association | eBook | Many |
| Beverly Hills Book Awards | Smarketing LLC (Ellen Reid) | Pay to Win | Many |
| Bram Stoker Awards | Horror Writers Association | Top Indie Awards | Horror |
| Caldecott Medal | American Library Association | Major Awards | Children |
| Canada Book Awards | Canada Council for the Arts | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Carol Awards | American Christian Fiction Writers | Christian Indie Awards | Christian, Fiction |
| Christian Book Award | Evangelical Christian Publishers Association | Major Awards | Christian |
| Christian Retailing's Best | Christian Retailing Magazine (Charisma Media) | Christian Indie Awards | Christian |
| Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award | Christian Small Publishers Association | Christian Indie Awards | Christian |
| Christianity Today Book Awards | Christianity Today | Christian Indie Awards | Christian |
| Christy Awards | Christy Awards | Christian Indie Awards | Christian |
| CPA Book Awards | Catholic Press Association | Christian Indie Awards | Christian |
| Crystal Kite Awards | Society of Children?s Book Writers and Illustrators | Major Awards | Children |
| Edgar Awards | Mystery Writers of America | Major Awards | Mystery |
| Edwards Award | Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA) | Major Awards | Young Adult |
| eLit Digital Publishing Awards | Jenkins Group | Pay to Win | Many |
| Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards | Foreword Magazine | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Geisel Award | American Library Association | Major Awards | Children |
| Genesis Contest | American Christian Fiction Writers | Christian Indie Awards | Christian, Fiction |
| Giverny Award | 15§ Laboratory | Children's | Children |
| Global eBook Awards | Para Publishing | eBook | Many |
| Golden Kite Awards | Society of Children?s Book Writers and Illustrators | Children's | Children |
| Hammett Prize | International Association of Crime Writers / North American Branch | Top Indie Awards | Crime |
| Horn Book Award | Horn Book | Children's | Children |
| Hugo Awards | MidAmeriCon II | Top Indie Awards | Science Fiction |
| ILA Children's and Young Adults' Book Awards | International Literacy Association | Children's | Children |
| Illumination Book Awards | Jenkins Group | Pay to Win | Christian |
| IPPY Awards | Jenkins Group | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| James Beard Book Award | James Beard Foundation | Top Indie Awards | Cookbook |
| James Tiptree, Jr. Literary Award | James Tiptree Jr. Literary Council | Top Indie Awards | Science Fiction |
| Lambda Literary Awards | Lambda Literary | Top Indie Awards | LGBT |
| Library Journal?s IndieÿEbook Awards | Library Journal | eBook | Many |
| Literary Award | Black Caucus of the ALA | Top Indie Awards | African American |
| Living Now Book Awards | Jenkins Group | Pay to Win | Many |
| Macavity Award | Mystery Readers International | Top Indie Awards | Mystery |
| Maine Literary Awards | Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Man Booker Prizes | The Man Group | Major Awards | Fiction |
| Minnesota Book Awards | The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Moonbeam Children?s Book Awards | Jenkins Group | Pay to Win | Many |
| Morris Award | Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA) | Major Awards | Young Adult |
| National Book Awards | National Book Foundation | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| National Book Critics Circle Award | National Book Critics Circle | Major Awards | Many |
| National Indie ExcellenceÿAwards | Smarketing LLC (Ellen Reid) | Pay to Win | Many |
| Nautilus Awards | Nautilus Awards | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Nebula Awards | Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America | Top Indie Awards | Science Fiction |
| Newbery Medal | American Library Association | Major Awards | Children |
| Next Generation Indie Book Awards | IBPPG.com | Top Indie Awards | Many |
| Nonfiction Award | Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA) | Major Awards | Children, Young Adult |
| Nonfiction Book Awards | Nonfiction Authors Association (Stephanie Chandler) | Pay to Win | Many |
| Odyssey Award | Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA) | Major Awards | Young Adult |
| PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction | PEN/Faulkner Foundation | Major Awards | Fiction |
| Printz Award | Young Adult Library Services Association (ALA) | Major Awards | Young Adult |
| Readers' Favorite Book Awards | Readers' Favoriteÿ | Pay to Win | Many |
| RITA Award | Romance Writers of America | Top Indie Awards | Romance Fiction |
| Robert F. Kennedy Book Award | Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights | Top Indie Awards | Nonfiction |
| Scott O'Dell Awardÿfor Historical Fiction | Scott O?Dell | Top Indie Awards | Historical Fiction |
| Shamus Award | Private Eye Writers of America | Top Indie Awards | Mystery |
| Sibert Medal | American Library Association | Major Awards | Children |
| Spark Award | Society of Children?s Book Writers and Illustrators | Children's | Children |
| Spur Awards | Western Writers of America | Top Indie Awards | Western |
| Sydney Taylor Book Award | Association of Jewish Libraries | Children's | Children |
| Triple Crown Awards | Triple Crown Awards (National Christian School Association) | Children's | Christian, Children, Young Adult |
| Wilder Medal | American Library Association | Major Awards | Children |
| Word Awards | The Word Guild (Canada) | Christian Indie Awards | Christian |
| Young Readers Choice Awards | Pacific Northwest Library Association | Children's | Children, Young Adult |