How do you decide which book awards or contests to enter as a writer?

2 Research the options

Once you have a general sense of your purpose, you can start researching the different book awards and contests that are available for your genre, category, and publication date. Utilizing online directories, databases, newsletters, blogs, or social media can help you find relevant opportunities. When researching the options, you should consider the eligibility requirements, entry fees, judging process, and prizes and benefits. Make sure you meet the criteria for genre, format, length, publication date, and other specifications. Some book awards and contests are free, while others charge a fee. You need to weigh the cost against the potential benefits and your budget. Additionally, you want to enter book awards and contests that have reputable, qualified, and diverse judges, and that offer constructive and transparent feedback. Lastly, look at what you can win or gain by entering the book awards and contests. This can include cash, trophies, certificates, badges, reviews, publicity, distribution, or other perks. You want to enter book awards and contests that offer meaningful and valuable rewards for your career and audience.

3 Evaluate the credibility

When selecting book awards and contests to enter, it is important to be discerning and avoid those that are shady, unethical, or exploitative. Red flags to watch out for include entry fees that are too high or too low, prizes and benefits that are vague or unrealistic, and a judging process that is unclear or unfair. You should look for awards and contests that have reasonable fees, clear rewards, and a transparent and impartial judging process that respects and honors the entrants and their work.

4 Apply the best practices

After selecting the book awards and contests that suit your purpose, budget, and standards, it is important to follow best practices to increase your chances of success. This includes reading and following the rules, polishing and proofreading your work, and tracking and organizing your submissions. Make sure you understand and comply with the guidelines and instructions for each book award or contest, including the format, length, deadline, fee, and submission method. You should also edit, revise, and proofread your work for clarity, coherence, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Additionally, keep a record of the book awards and contests you have entered, the dates, the fees, the results, and the feedback. This will help you monitor your progress, evaluate your performance, and learn from your experience. By following these tips and criteria, you can make the best decisions for your goals and budget, and enter the book awards and contests that will benefit your career and audience.