Remember all those book award contests that were occurring this time last year? Perhaps the book you finished for NaNoWriMo should be entered in one or more appropriate contests.
Here are six contests and six reasons to enter—but there are many more. Before publishing comes marketing. Start the buzz!
♦I was recently contacted by Maria Inot of TCK Publishing.com regarding the possibility of running a post regarding their own 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards.
Here are a few of their details:
TCK Publishing Reader’s Choice Book Awards Contest lets readers vote for their favorite books in sixteen different categories including Advice, Business and Investing, Self-Help, Health, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Romance, Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery, Children’s Book, YA and Middle Grade, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, and Religion.
►►The Grand Prize winner receives a Kindle Fire HD 8 Tablet and a 1-Year Access Pass to Bestseller Ranking Pro.
►Who can win? Self-published authors, independent publishers, or traditionally published authors, in either ebook or paper book format.
►When can you submit? Annually; the timeframe is January 1, 2021 to November 13, 2021.
►Entry fee: The first entry is free, but additional entries after the first cost $25 each.
►16 Winners, one in each category, will receive special badges and promotion
Winning a book award or badge is an effective method to help thrust your work in front of readers–or beyond that–to agents and publishers!
There are many book award contests and they will each be vying for your attention this time of the year. Most cost money—from inexpensive to hit the savings, but every contest is different. The above contest is free. (They also have a poetry contest, but this one has an entry fee of $5.)
Additional Contests, Deadlines, Links, and Rules
♦Writer’s Digest
“ENTER NOW! DEADLINE: 5/7/21 Writer’s Digest’s oldest and most popular competition, the Annual Writing Competition, is open for entries. Winners of the 90th Annual competition will be announced in the Nov/Dec 2021 issue of Writer’s Digest.”
They will accept all genre’s and short fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and script writing. Their self-published book award deadline occurs in early May. Entry fees vary. Read their website for details.
♦Chanticleer Writing Contest
Their website lists all the genre’s open to contest and the submission deadlines in an easy to see “at a glance” format.
♦Independent Publisher Book Awards
“IPPY AWARDS 2021 IS OPEN – RESCHEDULED DEADLINE IS MARCH 10 – BOOKS MUST ARRIVE FOR JUDGING BY MARCH 20.
“Calling all independent authors and publishers! Enter the IPPY Awards for $95 per General category entry, and ‘add-on’ a Regional or Ebook category entry to a General category entry for the same title for just $55. Due to pandemic-related delays, we are moving the final deadline to March 10, 2021. Thanks and best of luck!”
♦Readers Favorite
ANNUAL BOOK AWARD CONTEST
CONTEST DEADLINE – APRIL 1, 2021
“Contestants range from first-time authors to New York Times bestsellers and celebrities!
“If you place in our contest you will be able to add your Readers’ Favorite award seal to your book and all other marketing materials as well as identify your book as an “award-winning book” and you as an “award-winning author.”’
♦The Independent Author Network
“More than 40 million Books are available on Amazon.com.
100,000 new titles are added to the Kindle Store every month.
“How will you ensure your books stand out to readers in a market with millions of choices? The best way to move your book ahead of others in your genre(s) is to win an award contest.
“The Independent Author Network presents the 2021 IAN Book of the Year Awards, an international contest open to all authors with 40 fiction and non-fiction categories. Winners are eligible to receive a share of cash prizes exceeding $6,000 USD.”
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The question remains; should you enter one or more book award contests and how will they benefit you? Here are six reasons you should enter:
1. Discover if your book has merit
2. Receive a critique of your book—not all contests write a critique, but constructive criticism is important
3. Create a marketing buzz
4. Win a cash award or other prizes
5. Push you out of your comfort zone
6. Paste your Award Badge on the cover of your award winning book!!
You’ll get more feedback, create more buzz, and have more opportunities to get your name and your title out there.
If your pulse quickens with a touch of excitement mixed with a hint of fear, you are not alone! It’s a soul searing journey to publish and get your work out there.
Each organization and contest publishes their own rules and entry fees—which vary greatly! Check their contest history prior to submitting any money and assure they are appropriate for your work.
There are many writers and book contests of a general nature geared to newbies as well as established authors, some specifically for children’s book or romance novel contests. While some contests don’t allow ebooks and/or PODs, others don’t let authors or publishers submit (the book has to be nominated–think Kirkus). Some let you enter a book published more than a year ago, while others require getting reviewed in their trade magazine first. Some are just plain flaky or out for the money. Research the one of your choice thoroughly.
I’d love to hear stories of a successful submission–have you won a contest? Which one and how was your experience?
©2021 V Williams 
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That seems to be pretty standard stuff, and the badge for a winning entry may be very useful, either for your website or tacked on your front cover. It is something to help your book pop when readers are sweeping book covers. Also, a winning entry subtly passes a quality and readability test–further conveying saleable credibility. Most contests judge on several levels such as first in category, genre prize, and grand prize. 
Rosepoint Publishing 