Researching book awards isn’t something I’ve delved into — until now.

It’s somewhat of a controversial topic for me because I was always of the mindset that if you deserved an award, it would magically come to you. But like everything else, it takes research. And, you have to pay to play.

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I’ve learned that book awards generally require proactive effort from authors as they typically involve a submission process. And it’s your own, to be exact. It’s hard to toot your own horn.

To obtain book awards, you generally need to:

· Identify suitable awards: Research and target awards that align with your book’s genre, theme, publication date, and target audience.

· Meet eligibility criteria: Ensure your book and you, the author, meet all the specific requirements, such as publication date, residency, word count, or previous award history. (Although the latter shouldn’t be allowed in my view. It just creates bias).

· Prepare your submission: This often includes writing compelling entry essays, providing physical or digital copies of the book, and gathering supplementary materials like reviews or promotional copy. (More horn tooting!)

· Adhere to deadlines and fees: Most awards have strict submission deadlines and require an entry fee. (Again, it’s hard to pay for what you think you deserve after putting your life savings into it already).

· Submit your entry: Follow the specific instructions for sending your materials through the official channels.

While some highly prestigious awards (like the Nobel Prize in Literature or Pulitzer Prize) rely on nominations by appointed committees, most book awards are application-based.

So to find out more about the topic of book awards, I attended an online masterclass given by Carol Abrahamson, founder of Book Award Mastery. She had some good information to share (which she read), but the best information is always found when you hold out for the questions presented at the end of the class.

She presented to those authors wanting to distinguish themselves as being recognized and appreciated within networks by potential buyers. Authors that want their book to open doors to high-potential collaborations, opportunities, and invitations.

Sure, who doesn’t want that. So note taking filled up another Office Depot pad of important information about book awards.

After outlining the benefits that awards bring, Abrahamson covered the lay of the land of awards (bulleted above). It was when she covered what programs offer, I started to listen intently.

Book awards are not only given to recently published books (older books win them too!) And, book awards typically give a bigger boost to success than does becoming a bestseller.

Of course, she offered her Book Award Mastery’s Award Research, Planning and Application Service as being a reliable system for researching, planning and applying for the right quality book awards for you, your book and your goals. But it can also be done on your own with some of the same planning and foresight.

It was interesting to learn that getting the right programs takes finesse. She noted that out of 5,500 books judged for one program, there are only 46 awards presented. You have to look at the big picture.

Part of the big picture is realizing the transparency pros and cons. The judges’ identities and scoring systems are protected – no one talks about it.

Additionally, a multiple-month process is typically required – at least six months and often a year. After researching which programs to apply to, you need to realize when the window to do so is open. And since application fees are necessary, be prepared to shell it out – between $100 per book per category. And the fees can range from $30 to $350.

Many programs encourage multiple categories between $65 and $75 apiece. And, there may be early-bird pricing which can be a savings.

Then, you need to know what type of book form is accepted for the judges. In the past, the printed book had to be mailed for each judge, but now PDF formats and other digital formats are used. Many programs also accept audiobooks.

Some programs provide seals and stickers, but rarely do they provide in-person award celebrations anymore. Covid can be thanked for that, probably.

Systems vary, so that’s where the research comes in. But it’s fair to note that part of who wins is what the competition is like. And sometimes you have to mark your calendar for when the winners are announced, because there’s always the possibility that your winning email could get lost.

There is no guarantee that you will win through many programs, but you may be able to reapply for free if you don’t win.

With so many ifs and different systems abounding, my outlook is that it depends on if you happen to strike the right chord with the right person. In other words, a shared opinion on what resonates and if the stars align right, then you’re in luck.

And, of course, money talks - especially if you want everything hyper-focused on you. Wouldn’t it be nice, ….

But, this is the season of being grateful for what we have. I’m grateful for a remarkable story that my parents left behind for me to compile in Mission Possible. For more information on why I wrote the book and the ins and outs of doing so, check out my website: https://nlhastingsauthor.com

And, have a blessed season of giving – Mission Possible makes a great gift during the holidays and beyond. Don’t forget to leave a review!

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