32 Book Awards You Should Know About (Trad & Self-Pub!)

Book awards are not only a wonderful honor for an author or publisher, but for self-published and traditionally published books alike, they can also stir up media attention, influence reviewers, and support promotional efforts. Below, we’ve compiled a list of well-regarded book awards that authors and publishers should know about (and can submit to!) — but first, let’s talk data.

Do book awards have actionable impacts? Yes! Including accolades in book promotions can increase engagement. BookBub’s A/B test results have shown that including accolades boosts the click-through rate of Featured Deal blurbs. Readers respond well to mentions of an author’s accolades, including awards the author has won. Blurbs that named prestigious, genre-specific awards boosted CTRs by up to 25%, with an average increase of 5%. Note that these results are specific to BookBub’s users, but it’s worth A/B testing this language in your own promotions.

Here’s one example:

Because readers find award winners enticing, garnering accolades and book awards can also help boost your chances of getting selected for a BookBub Featured Deal.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… it’s time for the book awards! Note that this isn’t a comprehensive list — these are only awards an author, publisher, or agent can nominate their own titles for, and there are many more genre-specific contests you can enter. You should research to find the best-fit awards for your book and review full submission guidelines carefully, but we hope this gets your research off to a good start. You can jump to a specific section here:

Awards for Self-Published Books

1. The IndieReader Discovery Awards

Now in their 13th year, The IndieReader Discovery Awards feature distinctions such as “Best First Book,” “Best Cover Design,” and overall best fiction and nonfiction as well as winners from each genre. The judges read all submissions and recommend the top six winners to Dystel, Goderich & Bourret for representation. The winners receive cash and other prizes based on the category won.

Who can win? Self-published, hybrid, and small press–published authors, in either ebook or paper book format.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s entry is open until February 15, 2024.
Entry fee: $150 for the first entry; an additional $50 per category entered.
A few previous winners:

2. The Independent Publisher Book Awards

Sponsored by Independent Publisher since 1996, the “IPPY” Awards are open to any independent author or publisher worldwide who produces books intended for an English-speaking audience. They award gold, silver, and bronze medals to winners in 90 categories. Winners see increased visibility from being featured in an estimated 50 articles per year globally.

Who can win? Self-published authors, independent publishers, university presses.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s deadline is March 16, 2024.
Entry fee: Ranges from the early bird fee of $75 to $95 closer to the deadline.
A few previous winners:

3. The Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award

The Foreword INDIES Book Awards, sponsored by Foreword Reviews, was established in 1998 to promote indie books and small presses to the magazine’s large audience of librarians and booksellers. The top two winners each receive a $1,500 cash prize and are promoted with the other finalists through press releases, events, articles, and social media to Foreword’s list of over 35,000 industry connections.

Who can apply? Self-published authors, independent publishers, and university presses, in print or ebook format.
When can you submit? Annually; the deadline this year is January 15, 2024.
Entry fee: $119 per title for the first category; $99 for subsequent categories.
A few previous winners:

4. The Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Drawing from more than 80 categories, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards is the largest international awards program for indies. They offer $1,500 to the first-place winner and smaller cash prizes to runners-up and finalists in each category. In addition, New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of the Allen O’Shea Literary Agency considers the top books for publication.

Who can win? Self-published authors, independent publishers, university presses.
When can you submit? Annually; the deadline this year is February 14, 2024.
Entry fee: $75 per title for the first category; $60 for subsequent categories.
A few previous winners:

5. The Best Indie Book Award

The “BIBA” is a self-sponsored award with contests for the best books in 35 categories, as well as for best illustration and best cover design. These contests are open to authors all over the world, including those published with very small presses! Winners receive a trophy and ongoing promotion to BIBA’s 100,000+ followers. In addition, BIBA selects one Book of the Year from the winners to receive a cash prize of $500.

Who can win? Self-published authors, independent and hybrid publishers, and university presses.
When can you submit? Annually; submissions open on January 1 and close mid-August each year.
Entry fee: $70 per title per category for the literary award ($60 for early entry); $50 per entry for the illustration and cover design awards.
A few previous winners:

6. The National Indie Excellence Awards

Sponsored by marketing company Smarketing, LLC and now in their 18th year, the National Indie Excellence Awards recognize authors and publishers that “produce books of excellence in every aspect.” They select overall winners and also several finalists for each category, with sponsor prizes and cash prizes of $500 up for grabs.

Who can win? Small presses, midsize independent publishers, university presses, and self-published authors. Note: Only print books may be entered, not ebooks.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s submission timeframe is from August 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
Entry fee: $75 per book per category.
A few previous winners:

7. Eric Hoffer Book Award

The Eric Hoffer Book Award has honored independent books for more than two decades in memory of its namesake. It offers a grand prize of $5,000 to one recipient each year, as well as worldwide media exposure and coverage in the US Review of Books. The award also gives category prizes and honors for the best presses, the most thought-provoking books, exceptional cover art, and more.

Who can win? Self-published authors, academic presses, small/micro presses.
When can you submit? Annually; the deadline this year is January 21, 2024.
Entry fee: $60 per entry for early registration by December 14, 2023; $70 thereafter; $45 for eligible books with 40 pages or less.
A few previous winners:

8. Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Writer’s Digest holds two competitions for books. The self-published ebook award, now in its 11th year, honors one grand prize winner (across genres) with $5,000 in cash, while the 32nd annual self-published print book award offers a grand prize of $10,000. Both competitions also award the grand prize winner a featured interview in their magazine, publication of an excerpt of the winning book on their website, and a paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference! Winning first prize in each category isn’t shabby either, with an award of $1,000 in cash and a press announcement. All ebook award entrants also receive a review from one of Writer’s Digest’s annual writing competition readers.

Self-Published Book Awards

Who can win? Self-published authors who have paid the full cost of publication, or whose cost of printing was paid for by a grant or as part of a prize.
When can you submit? Annually. This year’s deadline is May 1, 2024; the early bird deadline is April 1, 2024.
Entry fee: $125 for the first entry, $110 for each additional entry; the early bird fee is $100 for the first entry, $85 for each additional entry.
A few previous winners:

Self-Published Ebook Awards

Who can win? Self-published authors of ebooks published in the past five years; authors who publish with a small press that publishes fewer than 12 ebooks a year; authors who have traditionally published in print but retained their ebook rights.
When can you submit? Annually. This year’s deadline is September 16, 2024; the early bird deadline is August 15, 2024.
Entry fee: $125 for the first entry, $110 for each additional entry; the early-bird fee is $100 for the first entry, $85 for each additional entry.
A few previous winners:

9. Rubery Book Awards

The Rubery Book Awards are a UK-based international book award offering one grand “Book of the Year” prize and £2,000 in cash. Smaller cash prizes are also awarded to category winners. The judges accept books in all categories and decide which categories to represent after receiving all entries.

Who can win? Self-published authors and independent presses, in print or ebook format, with no publication date restriction.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s deadline is March 31, 2024. Entries submitted after this date are automatically entered into the 2025 award.
Entry fee: £45 / $70.
A few previous winners:

Awards for Unpublished Manuscripts

10. Autumn House Fiction Prize

The Autumn House Fiction Prize is unique in that it honors books that haven’t been published yet. If you’re sitting on a manuscript between 150 and 300 pages, consider submitting it to this annual prize. Autumn House offers one winner a book contract for publication and $2,500 in cash, and they also consider all finalists for publication.

Who can win? All authors whose submitted manuscripts are unpublished. Note: Only fiction (and subgenres of fiction) are considered for this prize, but Autumn House also offers a Nonfiction Prize and a Rising Writer Prize for poetry.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s submission period runs from January 1, 2024 to February 29, 2024.
Entry fee: $35, waived for those undergoing financial hardship.
A few previous winners:

11. Nilsen Literary Prize

Like the Autumn House Prize, the Nilsen Literary Prize for a First Novel only considers unpublished manuscripts — and offers publication! Southeast Missouri State University Press publishes the winner and awards $2,000. Their Literary Prize is awarded every other year, alternating with their Cowles Poetry Book Prize.

Who can win? All authors whose submitted work is unpublished. Note: You may not submit a title that has already been self-published or published online; the manuscript must have never been published in any form.
When can you submit? Every other year; the next deadline is in November 2024.
Entry fee: $25.
A few previous winners:

Awards for Traditionally Published Books

12. National Book Awards

Each year, the National Book Foundation assembles 25 esteemed judges to vote on the best book of the year in the United States. They currently recognize the best Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Five finalists from each category receive a cash prize of $1,000, and the winner from each category, announced at the highly anticipated annual awards ceremony, receives $10,000!

Who can win? US authors nominated by their publishing house are eligible to win all awards except the Translated Literature Award, which doesn’t require the author or translator to be a US citizen. Note: Self-published books are eligible if the author or publisher also publishes the work of other authors.
When can you submit? March 1 through May 17.
Entry fee: $135.
A few previous winners:

13. The Encore Award

First presented in 1990 and now facilitated by the Royal Society of Literature, the Encore Award honors outstanding second novels of the year. The annual winner of this UK-based award receives a prize of £10,000.

Who can win? UK publishers may submit books published in the current calendar year. Translated works, novellas, and children’s books are ineligible.
When can you submit? Annually; the deadline this year is January 12, 2024.
Entry fee: Free.
A few previous winners:

14. Women’s Prize for Fiction

First awarded in 1996 as a reaction to the all-male 1991 Booker Prize shortlist, the Women’s Prize for Fiction annually honors exceptional books by women writers. The winner receives £30,000. Sponsored by the Women’s Prize Trust, the prize is considered one of the UK’s most prestigious literary awards. In addition, the Women’s Prize Trust sponsors the Discoveries program, which offers unpublished women writers the chance to win agent representation, and recently launched a Prize for Nonfiction.

Who can win? Women authors writing in English. UK publishers must submit books for consideration; authors may not submit their own books.
When can you submit? Annually; the submission deadline is September 1.
Entry fee: Publishers are required to make different financial contributions for books that are longlisted, shortlisted, or selected as winners.
A few previous winners:

15. The Booker Prize

Since 1969, the Booker Prize has been awarded annually to an outstanding work of fiction published in the UK, with the winner receiving £50,000, and £2,500 awarded to shortlisted authors. Being included on the longlist for this prize is a distinct honor as well, drawing international attention. See also: The International Booker Prize.

Who can win? Any novel originally written in English and published in the UK and Ireland in the year of the prize is eligible. Only publishers can submit entries.
When can you submit? Annually; between December and March.
Entry fee: Publishers are no longer required to make a financial contribution if their book is shortlisted or selected to win.
A few previous winners:

16. PEN Open Book Award

Among other awards like the Emerging Writers Prize and the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novels, PEN America sponsors the PEN Open Book Award, which celebrates and honors exceptional books published by authors of color. The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000 as well as a fully funded residency at Civitella!

Who can win? Authors of color who have not received wide media coverage. Publishers or literary agents must handle the submission process; authors may not submit their own books.
When can you submit? Annually; next year’s submissions open in April.
Entry fee: $85.
A few previous winners:

17. The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction

As well as awards for short stories and literary advocacy, The PEN/Faulkner Foundation honors the best works of fiction across genres each year. The winner receives $15,000 and the five finalists each receive $5,000, presented at an annual awards celebration. Next year marks the 44th awards!

Who can win? Traditionally published US authors. Publishers or literary agents must submit entries; authors may not submit their own books.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s timeframe was July 1 through September 30.
Entry fee: $75.
A few previous winners:

18. The Pulitzer Prize

This prestigious prize hardly needs an introduction, but what you may not know is that anyone (including the author) can submit a book for consideration. Each year, Columbia University awards Pulitzer Prizes for books in six categories, including genre fiction, of $15,000 each. Winners are chosen by the Pulitzer Prize Board, which recently expanded the citizenship requirements: The awards are now open to non-US citizens.

Who can win? Authors living in the US (including non-citizens) whose submitted book was published in English and in the US and preferably deals with American life. Both authors and publishers may make entries. Note: Self-published books are eligible if the book is also published in print format by a US-based press.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s deadline was July 14 and next year’s submissions open in the spring.
Entry fee: $75
A few previous winners:

Genre-Specific Awards

19. Horror: Shirley Jackson Awards

Established in 2007 in recognition of its namesake’s legacy, the Shirley Jackson Awards honor “outstanding achievements” in the horror, psychological suspense, or dark fantasy genres. The awards, presented at the annual Readercon conference, are made in six categories including novel, novella, and anthology. Previous winners include Stephen King and Karen Russell!

Who can win? Authors of works with elements of horror, psychological suspense, or dark fantasy. Note: Only editors or publishers may submit works to the jury for consideration.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s submissions opened in March.
Entry fee: None.
A few previous winners:

20. Horror: Bram Stoker Awards

The Horror Writers Association presents the Bram Stoker Awards across categories such as Young Adult, First Novel, Anthology, and more for “superior achievement” in dark fantasy and horror writing. Authors and publishers may submit books, or members of the HWA may nominate books for consideration (their selections are available to the public — here’s this year’s list).

Who can win? Both self-published and traditionally published authors writing in the horror genre.
When can you submit? The final deadline is November 30 each year.
Entry fee: Free.
A few previous winners:

21. Science Fiction and Fantasy: Locus Awards

The Locus Awards were originally inaugurated by the science fiction and fantasy magazine Locus to predict the Hugo Awards through an annual reader poll. Now, unlike other science fiction and fantasy awards, voting is open online to anyone, not just the magazine’s subscribers. And there’s no specific submission process for the Locus Awards; rather, you go through the submission process for review consideration. Ten finalists in 16 categories are celebrated at the Locus Awards ceremony in California.

Who can win? Authors of science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative, surreal, slipstream, crossed genres, similarly themed YA, art books, and related nonfiction.
When can you submit? Anytime; the voting deadline this year was April 15.
Entry fee: Free.
A few previous winners:

22. LGBTQ+: Lambda Literary Awards

The “Lammys” have celebrated queer literary excellence for over three decades! These awards honor more than 150 writers across 25 categories — each judged by a panel of selected readers and authors including former finalists — at an annual awards ceremony in New York City. In addition to the Lammys, Lambda Literary gives cash prizes for “outstanding contributions made by individuals to LGBTQ+ literature, culture, and community.”

Who can win? Self-published authors and traditionally published authors regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Works reflecting identities beyond LGBTQ+ or questioning are also welcome, but should be relevant to LGBTQ+ lives.
When can you submit? Annually; submissions are open between September and November.
Entry fee: $115 for Big Five publishers and universities; for small presses/independent publishers and indie authors, the fee is $65 per title for 1-10 titles and $55 per title for 11+ titles.
A few previous winners:

23. BIPOC: Coretta Scott King Book Awards

Named for Coretta Scott King to honor her work continuing her husband Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, this award recognizes “outstanding inspirational and educational” books by Black authors for children and young adults. The American Library Association (ALA) announces the winning authors and illustrators at the annual Youth Media Awards.

Who can win? African American authors and illustrators of books reflecting the African American experience.
When can you submit? The deadline each year is December 31.
Entry fee: Free.
A few previous winners:

24. BIPOC: NAACP Literary Image Award

Now entering its 55th year, the NAACP Image Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of people of color in film, TV, music, podcasting, and literature. The nine Literary categories include best fiction, nonfiction, debut author, and the newly added best graphic novel. The star-studded annual awards ceremony airs on BET and CBS in March.

Who can win? Authors and illustrators who meet the requirements for each category. Self-published authors are eligible if deemed competitive.
When can you submit? Annually; this year, the deadline was November 3.
Entry fee: $300 per submission, with an additional $50 fee to ship physical books.
A few previous winners:

25. Jewish Interest: National Jewish Book Awards

The National Jewish Book Awards, presented annually by the Jewish Book Council since 1950, are the longest-running literary awards program of their kind. These awards recognize exceptional Jewish literature across a wide range of genres to preserve and celebrate Jewish culture and heritage.

Who can win? Self-published, traditionally published, and unpublished authors (manuscripts are eligible) of books with Jewish content. All books, including ebooks, must be submitted in print format, and may be submitted by the author or publisher.
When can you submit? Annually; this year, the deadline was September 15.
Entry fee: $170 per title.
A few previous winners:

26. Western: Spur Awards

Presented by the Western Writers of America (WWA), the Spur Awards honor distinguished writing about the American West across 19 categories, including western traditional, historical, contemporary, and romance. Winners and finalists are invited to the annual WWA Convention, where winners receive a plaque at the Spur Awards banquet and finalists receive a certificate.

Who can win? Self-published and traditionally published authors of works set in or related to the American West or the frontier experience. All books, including ebooks, must be submitted in print format, and may be submitted by the author or publisher.
When can you submit? Annually; this year’s submission period is August 1, 2023 through January 15, 2024, based on the book’s publication date.
Entry fee: Free.
A few previous winners:

27. Children’s: Newbery Medal

Operating since 1922, the John Newbery Medal is the oldest continuing award for distinguished children’s books in the world. The award lends much prestige to the winning book of the year, which receives wide media coverage and interest from bookstores and libraries. The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the ALA, awards the medal at the annual Youth Media Awards.

Who can win? Any US author (self-published or traditionally published) whose book is intended for children up to age 14.
When can you submit? The deadline each year is December 31.
Entry fee: Free.
A few previous winners:

28. Christian Fiction: The Christy Awards

Named for Catherine Marshall’s bestselling novel Christy, the Christy Awards have honored excellence in fiction written from a Christian worldview since 1991. The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association presents these awards annually, selecting a winner from each of their nine categories.

Who can win? Traditionally published authors of books with a Christian worldview. Self-published authors are also eligible if they meet certain requirements.
When can you submit? Annually; the submission period is March 1 to March 31.
Entry fee: $175.
A few previous winners:

29. Christian Fiction: Carol Awards

American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) established the Carol Awards to recognize the best Christian fiction across 11 categories. These categories are similar to the Christy Awards, but also include best romantic suspense, novella, and debut author.

Who can win? Traditionally published authors of books written from a Christian worldview, in print or ebook format. Self-published authors who meet certain criteria are also eligible. Note: Only authors may enter; publishers may not enter for their authors.
When can you submit? Annually; the next submission period runs from January 2 to March 1, 2024.
Entry fee: $50 per entry for ACFW members; $135 per entry for non-members.
A few previous winners:

30. Political Writing: Orwell Prize

The Orwell Foundation presents this annual award, named after the acclaimed author of 1984, George Orwell, to honor exceptional fictional and nonfiction works that “make political writing into an art.” The book prizes for Political Fiction and Political Writing each award £3,000 to the winner.

Who can win? Traditionally published books, which must be submitted by their publishing house, that were first published in the UK.
When can you submit? Annually; submissions are open from November 15, 2023 to January 24, 2024.
Entry fee: The Orwell Prize asks shortlisted publishers to contribute £750 toward promotional costs.
Previous winners:

31. Mystery: Edgar Awards

Mystery Writers of America presents the Edgar Awards annually to celebrate mystery books. Named in honor of Edgar Allen Poe, the Edgar Awards have multiple subgenres such as short stories, young adult, true crime, and more. They are largely regarded as the most prestigious award in the genre!

Who can win? Traditionally published authors writing in the mystery/thriller genre who meet the Active Status membership requirements. Books can be submitted by the publisher or the author.
When can you submit? These awards operate on a tiered submission schedule based on the date of publication throughout the year. See the schedule here.
Entry fee: Free.
A few previous winners:

32. Crime Writing: The CWA Daggers

Aptly named for their genre, the CWA Daggers are annual awards given for excellence in UK crime fiction and nonfiction by the Crime Writers’ Association. There are several Daggers (or competitions) for books that publishers and authors can enter, ranging from the Gold Dagger for the best crime novel to the Debut Dagger open to unpublished authors around the world.

Who can win? Traditionally published authors, as well as self-published authors who are members of the CWA. Both authors and CWA-approved publishers can nominate books for consideration.
When can you submit? These awards have two submission deadlines based on the date of publication. See the schedule here.
Entry fee: £60 per title (or £30 for CWA members).
A few previous winners:

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Click to tweet: Authors, have you submitted to writing contests to drive more visibility for your book? See which awards you qualify for! https://bit.ly/41pWAel

This post was originally published on November 20, 2019 and has been updated with additional awards.

About AJ Yee

AJ is a content marketer on the BookBub Partners marketing team, where she manages the Partners Blog and enjoys researching and sharing how authors and publishers can level up their marketing.