There are many reputable book awards and book contests celebrating outstanding writing across genres for traditionally published authors and indie authors. If you are an author, entering a writing contest has many benefits, even if you don’t win:
Increased Visibility: Being a finalist in a book contest can lead to media coverage, increased exposure on the contest website and social media sites, and potential networking opportunities.
Credibility and Recognition: Book awards provide credibility to readers as well as recognition from others in the publishing industry.
Marketing Opportunities: Most contests provide finalists and winners with award badges that can be digitally added to a cover or a sticker for print books. It’s also a chance to share the news in your local newspapers, online groups, and media outlets.
Valuable Feedback: With many contests, you are given feedback from the judges, which can be used to improve that story or future ones.
Monetary Prizes and Publishing Opportunities: Many book awards have prizes associated with them. This can be a cash prize, a publishing deal, or connections with industry professionals. Contests have deadlines, so if you have been “dragging your fingers” and not finishing your book, a writing contest could be just the motivation you need.
Winning a book award gives readers who are considering buying your book social proof that others like your book. And who doesn’t like to have the chance to win a book award?
Here are some Book Awards and Book Contests to consider entering:
Lambda Literary Awards
https://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards
Who Can Submit: LGBTQ+ authors and publishers
2023 Winner: The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
2022 Winner: Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie
Eisner Awards
https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards-current-info
Who Can Submit: Comic creators and publishers
2023 Winner: It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoe Thorogood
2022 Winner: Monsters by Barry Windsor-Smith
National Jewish Book Awards
https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/awards
Who Can Submit: Authors of Jewish literature and publishers
2023 Winner: Time’s Echo by Jeremy Eichler
2022 Winner: People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn
Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
https://www.anisfield-wolf.org/
Who Can Submit: Publishers and authors addressing racism and diversity
2023 Winner: Horse by Geraldine Brooks
2022 Winner: The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chang
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award
https://www.ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com/
Who Can Submit: Members and non-members of the Independent Book Publishers Association
2023 Winner: Vigil Harbor by Julia Glass
2022 Winner: A Door Behind a Door by Yelena Moskovich
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
https://indiebookawards.com/enteryourbook.php
Who Can Submit: Independent and self-published authors, as well as publishers
2023 Winner: Every Cloak Rolled in Blood by James Lee Burke
2022 Winner: Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Nebula Awards
https://nebulas.sfwa.org
Who Can Submit: Members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
2023 Winner: Babel by R.F. Kuang
2022 Winner: A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
Bram Stoker Awards
https://www.thebramstokerawards.com/
Who Can Submit: Horror writers
2023 Winner: The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
2022 Winner: The Pallbearers Club by Paul Tremblay
The Bridport Prize
https://www.bridportprize.org.uk
Who Can Submit: Open to all writers worldwide, with separate categories for novels, short stories, flash fiction, and poetry
2023 Winner: Paradise Beach by Lucy Foster
2022 Winner: Other Houses by Natasha Calder (Novel Award)
Writers of the Future Contest
https://www.writersofthefuture.com
Who Can Submit: Open to amateur and unpublished writers of science fiction and fantasy
2023 Winner: White Elephant by David K. Henrickson
2022 Winner: Windswept by Casey White (Golden Pen Winner)
The Bath Novel Award
https://bathnovelaward.co.uk
Who Can Submit: Unpublished and self-published writers of novels
2023 Winner: Out of Nowhere by Ian Nettleton
2022 Winner: The Hands of Alejo by Marisol Cortez
You may also want to join your local or state-focused writers’ association. Besides offering their own awards, they provide many other benefits you may find valuable. For authors, entering a book award contest often allows you the opportunity to receive feedback from the judges that can help you improve your writing. You can also gain insight into what other authors are doing well and learn from that. So even if you don’t win the actual contest, you still win in the long run. And you will never win if you don’t enter.
