Multi Award-Winning Author!

There are some thrilling moments in book publication that make all the back work (sometimes YEARS of edits!) pale by comparison: cover reveal, box opening, autographing! Then the first rush is over, the book is launched, and the next big thrill is winning an award.

Award-winning books are truly authored.

Whatever we feel about Celebrity Books (where the sales value is based on the person’s platform in another arena – sports, music, acting, social media), award judging is done on the value of the text and pictures. 

Award-winning books are simply published.

They do not have to come from The Big Five publishers (or Four if someone bought someone out this week). Smaller publishers and self-published books are considered for their merit, not the publisher’s name on the spine.

Award-winning books are publisher endorsements.

Awards not only honor us as an authors but the publisher for having the faith to publish us. It also tells the publisher we are working past the launch to promote the book. Great points when pitching the next book to the same publisher.

Award-winning books are attention-getters.

It is boring on social media to promote a book after the initial launch. An award allows a second (or third or fourth!) chance to keep the title in people’s minds. A new award mentioned on Amazon or Goodreads can boost ratings. Translation: book sales! 

Award-winning books are reputation builders.

The next book proposal includes all the awards for the previous titles. This tells any publisher we are keeping the book in the public view long after the launch. With just one award we can say, “Award-winning author”! 

Award-winning books are validation.

Libraries and bookstores will take a second (or third) look at a book judges have considered worthy of an award. Awards are a way to work around the “must have a review” or “must be from a big publisher” hurdles!

Award-winning books are a bonus for older titles.

Many awards have added categories for previously published books, realizing that older books deserve recognition. An award brings the book to the attention of the publisher and public once more and can boost sales of backlists.

So what awards?

Publishers may put a book up for reviews and awards, but most of the time, it is up to the author. And, yes, there is a fee. I never pay over $75 – the usual cost is under $50. Check the award out carefully – look at the list of past winners. Check to see if there are costs to the winners beyond the entry fee. Scan other authors’ titles to see what award they received and ask them if there are any doubts. 

National Awards

This is the list of BIG awards that will come up by googling “Book Awards.” Beyond that are many awards based on subject matter, format, or writing style. STEM, SEL, disability, underrepresented authors, and topics have specific awards.

Categories of Awards 

Scroll the entire list of categories. An environmental book is better positioned to win in the “nature” category than a “general picture book.”

Conference Awards

Sometimes these are open only to attendees, but with a narrower genre focus. A Christian conference award can be a real boost! There may also be a category for unpublished writing.

State Awards 

Many awards are limited to authors from a particular state on topics of interest to that region, but they are worth checking, particularly if the sponsoring group is connected to a library or reading association.

And the winner is…

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING author (really!) Robin Currie has sold 1.7 M copies of her 40 storybooks and writes stories to read and read again. Robin is pleased to report that How to Dress a Dinosaur has only 181 words and 6 awards!