Awards directory

Book awards: who can enter, what it costs, and whether your book fits.

Some awards choose books without accepting entries. Others accept author submissions, publisher submissions, member nominations, reader votes, or paid entries. Each record shows the model, eligibility, fee, current-cycle status, and official source so you can judge the fit yourself.

This directory feeds the checklist step Build an awards calendar before publication. Set a status on any award and it joins your checklist.

Still deciding whether to bother? Which book awards are worth entering works through it.

Awards and competitions
My status	Award	Kind	Next action	Is this for me?
Not reviewed Learn more	National Book Awards National Book Foundation	Juried literary	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Publisher or agent entry only. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Pulitzer Prizes, Books The Pulitzer Prizes, Columbia University	Juried literary	Rules not verified	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted. Current rules not verified
Not reviewed Learn more	National Book Critics Circle Awards National Book Critics Circle (NBCC)	Nomination only	Next cycle not announced	Any publishing path. No entry, considered automatically. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	PEN America Literary Awards PEN America	Juried literary	Rules not verified	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Publisher or agent entry only. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Current rules not verified
Not reviewed Learn more	Lambda Literary Awards Lambda Literary	Identity or community	Deadline November 22, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	National Jewish Book Awards Jewish Book Council	Identity or community	Deadline September 18, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	James Beard Book Awards James Beard Foundation	Genre	Opens September 30, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	PROSE Awards Association of American Publishers (AAP)	Trade or industry	Next cycle not announced Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Publisher or agent entry only. Juried. Entry fee
Not reviewed Learn more	IBPA Book Award Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)	Independent press	Deadline December 15, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Foreword Reviews	Independent press	Rules not verified Checked September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted. Current rules not verified
Not reviewed Learn more	Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Jenkins Group	Independent press	Deadline March 4, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Next Generation Indie Book Awards Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA)	Independent press	Deadline February 12, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Eric Hoffer Book Award Hopewell Publications	Independent press	Deadline January 21, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Nautilus Book Awards Nautilus Book Awards (Boulder, Colorado)	Genre	Deadline February 8, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Living Now Book Awards Jenkins Group	Genre	Deadline June 24, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Axiom Business Book Awards Jenkins Group	Genre	Deadline January 28, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	National Indie Excellence Awards National Indie Excellence Awards	Independent press	Deadline March 31, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Book Excellence Awards Book Excellence Awards	Paid-entry recognition	Deadline December 31, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	NYC Big Book Award NYC Big Book Award (Independent Press Award family)	Paid-entry recognition	Deadline December 15, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	American Book Fest Best Book Awards American Book Fest	Paid-entry recognition	Deadline August 31, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest Readers' Favorite	Paid-entry recognition	Deadline April 1, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	International Book Awards American Book Fest	Paid-entry recognition	Deadline March 31, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	IndieReader Discovery Awards IndieReader	Independent press	Rules not verified	Self-published, Hybrid publisher. Author may enter. Juried. Independent publishing accepted. Current rules not verified
Not reviewed Learn more	Edgar Allan Poe Awards (Edgar Awards) Mystery Writers of America (MWA)	Genre	Deadline December 7, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility
Not reviewed Learn more	Agatha Awards Malice Domestic Ltd	Reader voted	Next cycle not announced Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Reader or member nomination. Reader-voted. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Anthony Awards Bouchercon (World Mystery Convention), administered by each year's local organizing committee	Reader voted	Next cycle not announced Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Reader or member nomination. Reader-voted. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	RWA Diamond Heart Award Romance Writers of America (RWA)	Genre	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Hugo Awards World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), presented at the annual World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon)	Reader voted	Next cycle not announced	Any publishing path. Reader or member nomination. Reader-voted. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Nebula Awards Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA)	Genre	Next cycle not announced	Any publishing path. Reader or member nomination. Reader-voted. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Locus Awards Locus magazine (Locus Science Fiction Foundation)	Reader voted	Rules not verified	Any publishing path. Reader or member nomination. Reader-voted. Independent publishing accepted. Current rules not verified
Not reviewed Learn more	Bram Stoker Awards Horror Writers Association (HWA)	Genre	Deadline January 15, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Reader or member nomination. Juried. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	National Poetry Series Open Competition The National Poetry Series	Juried literary	Opens January 7, 2027 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and Kate Tufts Discovery Award Claremont Graduate University (CGU), School of Arts and Humanities	Juried literary	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	ALA Youth Media Awards (Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Coretta Scott King, and related awards) American Library Association (ALA) and its divisions and round tables: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), and the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table	Nomination only	Deadline December 31, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Publisher or agent entry only. Juried. Geography or community eligibility
Not reviewed Learn more	Schneider Family Book Award American Library Association (ALA)	Identity or community	Deadline December 1, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (Eisner Awards) Comic-Con International	Genre	This cycle closed Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Harvey Awards ReedPop, in association with New York Comic Con	Trade or industry	Next cycle not announced Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Reader or member nomination. Reader-voted. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Plutarch Award Biographers International Organization (BIO)	Juried literary	Deadline December 1, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Author may enter. Juried
Not reviewed Learn more	getAbstract International Book Award getAbstract	Nomination only	Next cycle not announced	Any publishing path. No entry, considered automatically. Juried. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	IACP Cookbook Awards International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP)	Trade or industry	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Bancroft Prize Columbia University in the City of New York (Columbia University Libraries)	Juried literary	Deadline November 1, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Publisher or agent entry only. Juried
Not reviewed Learn more	Cundill History Prize McGill University	Juried literary	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Publisher or agent entry only. Juried
Not reviewed Learn more	ECPA Christian Book Awards Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA)	Trade or industry	Rules not verified	Traditionally published, Hybrid publisher. Publisher or agent entry only. Juried. Current rules not verified
Not reviewed Learn more	Publishing Triangle Awards The Publishing Triangle	Identity or community	Next cycle not announced	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Hurston/Wright Legacy Awards Hurston/Wright Foundation	Identity or community	Next cycle not announced Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Literary Work categories National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)	Identity or community	Deadline November 6, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Audie Awards Audio Publishers Association (APA)	Trade or industry	Deadline October 9, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Texas Institute of Letters Literary Awards Texas Institute of Letters (TIL)	Regional	Next cycle not announced Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Minnesota Book Awards The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library	Regional	Deadline November 20, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Colorado Book Awards Colorado Humanities, with Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry	Regional	Next cycle not announced Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Pacific Northwest Book Awards Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA)	Regional	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Florida Book Awards Florida State University Libraries	Regional	Deadline December 11, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Ohioana Book Awards Ohioana Library Association	Regional	Deadline December 31, 2026 Checked September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Geography or community eligibility. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	The BookFest Book Awards Black Chateau Enterprises, with Books That Make You (Southern California)	Paid-entry recognition	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards The Independent Author Network (IAN)	Paid-entry recognition	Deadline August 15, 2027 Checked September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Self-published, Hybrid publisher. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	Literary Titan Book Award Literary Titan (a review site founded in 2017)	Paid-entry recognition	Next cycle not announced Checked September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted
Not reviewed Learn more	San Francisco Book Festival JM Northern Media LLC (Hollywood, California)	Paid-entry recognition	This cycle closed Checked September 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Any publishing path. Author may enter. Juried. Entry fee. Independent publishing accepted