With thousands of books hitting the shelves every year, it is important for authors to find as many ways as possible to stand out. Book Awards are outstanding marketing tools and award stickers can influence readers when purchasing books. We’ve pulled together the top 15 book awards that all authors should keep an eye out for.
Indie Book Awards
So you’re an indie author, with an indie publishing company, therefore you’ve got to work hard to beat traditional publishers to the shelves. We believe in your hard work. Your creativity and determination is heroic and frankly, should be honored. So we’ve pulled together the top five best book awards that recognize the culture and community of indie publishing.
A Next Generation Indie Book Awards
If you’ve heard of any awards, you’ve certainly heard about the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. With over 70 different prizes and awards, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards will create exposure you could only dream of.
National Indie Excellence Awards
Providing a different twist on independent publishing, the National Indie Excellence Awards, sponsored by Smarketing LLC, focus on entrepreneurship in the book-publishing world. Not only is this award an honor – the business, marketing and advertising that comes along with it is irreplaceable.
Discovering hidden talent isn’t just a hobby for those at the IndieReader Discovery Awards…it’s a passion. Held for four years in a row, the IRDAs truly believe that Indies can make it on their own and do not need traditional publishing. To be recognized by the IRDAs is a true testament to creativity and determination.
Ahh, the IPPY Awards…who doesn’t love the sound of that? If this award sounds anything like winning an ESPY or a Grammy then you’re on the right track! The IPPY Awards have four different categories to enter, leaving ample opportunity to receive an award and plenty of exposure on IndependentPublisher.com.
With a strong belief that Indie authors are overlooked by traditional publishers, the Best Indie Book Award focuses on building readership and community. Whether you win or not, entering the Best Indie Book Award is an ode to raising the bar and strengthening the culture of Indie authors.
Traditional Book Awards
Growing up we all gravitated toward those books in the library that showcase a silver or gold medal. Although it’s physically just a sticker (and one that you typically pay for, womp womp), that medal is like a billboard highlighting a literary genius. So if you’ve got a pretty killer novel, we’ve got the top five literary awards that will give you a shot at earning that oh-so-shiny sticker.
Established more than 66 years ago, the National Book Award harbors some of the most honored authors of all time. With recipients such as William Faulkner, Marianne Moore, John Updike and more, the NBA is an award that will not only make you a permanent member of the National Book Foundation, it will solidify your place as a legendary author.
National Book Critics Circle Award
One of the only national literary awards chosen by the critics themselves, the National Book Critics Circle Award honors the best literature published in the United States. The NBCC Awards offer six different categories bringing together readers, authors and a community of literary discussion.
PEN/Faulkner Prize for Fiction
Chosen by the largest group of peer reviewers in the nation, the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction chooses five finalists and one eventual winner in remembrance of William Faulkner. By selecting three different judges each year, the PEN/Faulkner Prize maintains a fair and honest review of all submissions.
Nobel Prize for Literature
An award that is open to the world, the Nobel Prize for Literature is awarded to an author who has “in the field of literature, the most outstanding work in an ideal direction.” Named after the Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator and overall genius, Alfred Noble, the Nobel Prize for Literature is one of the highest awards an author can receive.
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
Being one of the seven Pulitzer Prizes awarded annually, the prize for fiction recognizes a novel written by an American author. Named after crusading journalist Joseph Pulitzer, this award is an ode to the lasting influence of journalism, literature, music and drama in American society.
Awards that are Under the Radar
So if you’re not an indie writer, or maybe you are, but are much too modest to believe you’re the next Nobel Peace Prize recipient, we understand. That’s why we’ve dug up five niche awards that have quietly been passing under the radar but carry some serious clout. So whether your book is a culinary treat, terrifying mystery or a childhood fantasy world, we’ve got you covered.
With its emphasis in the field of crime writing, the Hammett Award selects nominees from fiction or narrative nonfiction crime, suspense, thriller, mystery or espionage. The eventual winner receives an unnerving “Thin Man” Trophy that we hope will inspire even more spooky stories.
Nicknamed “The Lammys,” the Lambda Literary Awards honor the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender publications of the year. With multiple different awards, “The Lammys” run pretty much like a literary Golden Globes for the LGBT community.
Boston Globe – Horn Book Awards
Regarded as one of the most prestigious honors for children’s and young adult literature, the Horn Book Awards selects an award winning book each school year. Winning titles are selected in three different categories, including picture book, fiction and poetry, and nonfiction. All of which are judged on the quality of creative excellence.
Bringing together the best of the best in the food industry, the James Beard Awards honors chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors and food journalists alike. Being a recipient of a James Beard Award is pretty much the equivalent of a culinary Oscar nomination.
The uniquely crafted First Book Award allows first-time authors across all genres to showcase their debut novels. The Guardian award committee is chaired by Claire Armitstead who decided, “this was going to be the people’s prize.” Both committee members as well as reading groups are involved in this exciting judging process.
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