150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Children
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
My Publishing Imprint
How to Create a Self-Publishing Book Imprint & ISBN Essentials
David Wogahn

2020 Gold Medal
108 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

My Publishing Imprint by David Wogahn breaks down into digestible pieces the process that an author takes when creating a self-publishing book imprint and the pros and cons of investing in ISBNs. Wogahn’s voice comes across in such a way that it feels as if he not only has his finger on the pulse of the business that goes into publishing and writing, but his whole hand is firmly wrapped around the beating heart of the writing world itself. On page 9, his inspirational style comes through with: “You are no different than any other small business seeking a future of self-determination.” David Wogahn cuts through the fat and gives you the prime pieces that you’re searching for and delivers it in a way that is easily understood. In My Publishing Imprint, he also includes specific people and the way that they have evolved in their own book imprint endeavors, which is helpful when you are learning all that you can about creating a book imprint and the business behind it.
David Wogahn’s My Publishing Imprint: How to Create a Self-Publishing Book Imprint & ISBN Essentials brings together so much valuable information into a compact book. Over the years I have found that fewer paged books will more often than not give you all the information you need, while on the other hand, a two-hundred-page book can leave you feeling as if you wasted hours of your life on reading fluff, but no substance. This book has substance on every page that you turn. It’s filled with links to resources, guidelines, do’s, and don’ts. If you are looking for something that will stimulate your mind for days and weeks after reading, Wogahn’s My Publishing Imprint is the book you want to read.
Recommend this book:
The Big Book of Small Presses & Independent Publishers
Small Presses, book contests, university presses, and independent publishers for "unagented" authors
Marylee MacDonald

2020 Silver Medal
384 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

The Big Book of Small Presses & Independent Publishers, subtitled Small presses, book contests, university presses, and independent publishers for “unagented” authors by Marylee MacDonald, is a valuable tool for authors who have been ignored by the big presses and agents who sell to them. This book lists over 300 small and independent presses that read manuscripts from unagented authors. Sometimes these presses require a query letter before deciding if they want to see your manuscript. Sometimes they want you to enter a contest. Sometimes, their staff is open all year to look at their specific types of manuscripts.
The Big Book of Small Presses & Independent Publishers has all the instructions and appropriate websites for accessing each of the presses they list. Marylee has sold both fiction and non-fiction books. Here she has compiled a wide selection of presses, so that other authors may do the same. Since this is an ebook, it is easy to search for all the presses that might be of interest. I did a search for “graphic novels” and found two presses that publish books similar to what I’ve been writing, and one press that specifically does not want what I’m writing. This is all useful information. The press information not only lists the types of manuscripts each press seeks, but it also tells you which types they are looking for right now. So, if they sometimes print middle-grade novels, but don’t want them right now, you can save yourself the trouble of contacting them. Also, some presses have word length requirements. If your story is too long or too short, again you can save yourself the trouble. All of this information has two goals: to help authors find the right press for their books and help publishers avoid spending time looking at books that aren’t right for them. Marylee MacDonald has done a service to the publishing industry.
Recommend this book:
From Page to Stage
Inspiration, Tools, and Public Speaking Tips for Writers
Betsy Graziani Fasbinder

2020 Bronze Medal
248 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

From Page to Stage: Inspiration, Tools, and Public Speaking Tips for Writers by Betsy Graziani Fasbinder is a useful guide for writers who are comfortable putting their thoughts on paper but lack the courage when it comes to public speaking. The author gives writers the confidence to enhance their speaking skills along with their writing skills and thus reach out to a wider audience. Most of the time authors and aspiring authors sabotage their book's success due to lack of speaking skills or fear of connecting to the public through an interview or a talk show. Public speaking, like writing, is a skill and while it comes naturally to some, others might not be as proficient in it. The book gives tools, techniques, and strategies to develop skills for speaking with confidence.
The book gives a lot of insights on how to hone one's speaking skills on a public platform. The author handles the subject extensively and expansively, making it easy for readers to comprehend and use her tips and suggestions to further enhance their speaking skills in an enjoyable and comfortable way. Betsy Graziani Fasbinder makes the entire process interactive and less daunting for those who have a mental block when it comes to public speaking. The writing style is simple and neat and the author's fluidity when it comes to expressing her thoughts on the topic is honest and straightforward. That is what makes the book engaging and interesting. All authors and aspiring authors who want to hone their public speaking skills should own a copy of this book because it contains a lot of very useful information.
Recommend this book:
The Next Bestseller
Book Marketing for Success
Tim Riordan

2020 Honorable Mention
232 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

The Next Best Seller by Tim Riordan is a roadmap to success for authors with a focus on the best ways to market their books. Tim is very open and honest about his own writing and marketing strategies, sharing what has worked for him and the many lessons that he’s learned along the way. The book covers all of the major categories of marketing including creating a market strategy, using social media, developing an email list, book launches, and maintaining book sales indefinitely. It’s filled with easy to understand explanations of how each kind of marketing works, along with step by step instructions that are very practical and easy to follow.
I am an author whose biggest struggle as a writer is the marketing of my books. I can attest that in The Next Best Seller, Tim Riordan hits the nail right on the head as far as addressing the real issues that make marketing a book so difficult. I found the information that he lays out throughout the book to be well organized and relevant to today’s marketplace. Established authors, as well as first-time authors, can each draw plenty of great information from this book. For the beginner, it’s perfect because Tim Riordan has given them a plan for success that is so clear and easy to follow that even newbie authors will be able to follow along and launch their book-writing career correctly. Authors who’ve been in the business for a while will also find many tips to help them break bad marketing habits and start new ones that have been proven successful by the experts. I found this book to be a wealth of good information. Authors would be wise to use it as a compass to get them off the road of marketing frustration and onto the road of marketing success.
Recommend this book:
How to Self-publish and Market a Book
An integrated approach to publishing and marketing
Hank Quense

2020 Finalist
145 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

Authors are proud of themselves when they finish writing their books. They feel a sense of accomplishment because they have achieved something great. However, when it comes to self-publishing and marketing their precious work, not all of them are up to the task. They do not seem to realize that self-publishing is a delicate matter that requires accuracy and, first and foremost, professionalism. If you are an author who wants to take self-publishing to the next level, How to Self-Publish and Market a Book is the book for you. Author Hank Quense shares guidelines and information that will help you understand what is involved.
How to Self-Publish and Market a Book is a detailed and practical volume. Hank Quense has already published several books and is undoubtedly an expert. He gives smart tips to aspiring authors and explains what steps to take for an effective strategy. I like Quense’s realistic approach and his attention to aspects that writers often overlook. One of the most interesting recommendations is that authors should schedule the launch of their book at least six months in advance to promote it effectively. Moreover, the advice about a professional cover and editing will help authors avoid some of the most common mistakes. Quense also warns about scammers and adds links to reliable websites and resources. Many authors, especially those who are struggling with their first publication, will find all these suggestions useful. After reading How to Self-Publish and Market a Book, they will have clearer ideas on how to proceed.
Recommend this book:
Writer Get Noticed!
A Strengths-Based Approach to Creating a Standout Author Platform
Colleen M. Story

2019 Gold Medal
324 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

Most writers have that one big dream: to write and publish a best-selling novel. After writing the so-called bestseller, the author has to land a big contract with a traditional publisher. And, then the fun begins: promoting oneself, creating an author’s platform that really sells. It’s a big task, perhaps even bigger than the actual writing of the novel. Even if writers are unsuccessful in landing that big contract with a traditional publisher (and most authors fall into that category), there are ways to be successful in the world of writing and publishing.
Author Colleen M. Story has the tool to help all writers achieve success. Writer Get Noticed! A Strengths-Based Approach to Creating a Standout Author Platform is both a guidebook and a workbook, aka journal, to coach writers at all levels of success, to help them achieve even greater success. The author leads the reader through careful steps to prepare them for the successful writing career they so desire. Each chapter is well laid out, complete with exercises and space to jot down notes and answers to questions presented.
Colleen stresses in her introduction that it’s imperative for the reader to follow through with all of the exercises because she wants the book to act as a writing coach to prepare writers to be the best they can be in their chosen writing field. Colleen asks readers some pretty poignant questions, like why writing matters to them, forcing the reader to look more deeply into themselves and their writing goals and aspirations. This is definitely an excellent resource and tool to help all writers achieve greater success in their writing careers.
Recommend this book:
Smart Marketing for Indie Authors
How I Sold my First 1,563 Books and Counting!
Mike Kowis

2019 Silver Medal
148 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

Are you an independent (“indie”) author, struggling to get people to buy your books? I know I am. Let’s face it, we authors are (hopefully) good at writing, but not often good at the sales and marketing side of our business. And it’s exactly for people like us that Mike Kowis has written his outstanding guide, Smart Marketing for Indie Authors. It’s packed not only with generalities of how to approach the challenge of marketing your books, but also with lists of real, practical actions you can take, including step-by-step instructions in many cases. Even better, Kowis has rated each of these actions, based on his personal experience, for effectiveness, cost, and time investment, so you can decide where your time and money are best spent.
For me as an indie author, I felt my heart rate quicken as I read this book. This is pure gold. It is written clearly, concisely, and candidly, interspersed with gentle touches of humor. Kowis shares his experiences, both the successes and the failures, establishing his credentials without ever coming across as boastful, and giving the aspiring bestselling author a toolbox packed with practical advice, tips, and suggestions, all expressed clearly with easy-to-follow instructions. The fact that he shares his personal experience relating to each of these actions, both positive and negative, gives his advice so much more credibility. I found Smart Marketing for Indie Authors a pleasure to read, and I am excited to start putting what I’ve learned from this book into practice! Fantastic book, all round.
Recommend this book:
Write With Fey
10 Sparks to Guide You From Idea to Publication
Chrys Fey

2019 Bronze Medal
370 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

Do you want to write a book? Is there a novel inside, screaming for you to release it? Writing a story can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know the first steps. Write With Fey (Ten Sparks to Guide You From Idea to Publication) by Chrys Fey is a comprehensive guide to starting a novel, leading the reader all the way to the finish. From creating realistic, fully fleshed-out characters, to planning a stellar plot, this book breaks down the writing process into small, bite-sized portions of instruction, and condenses years worth of reading and hundreds of dollars worth of courses, giving the reader the most substantial amount of information with the least amount of effort. With steps that help the writer maintain momentum, and questions to challenge the writer's process, this book can't help but bring a plot and characters to the forefront and inspire the reader to create a scintillating story.
Write With Fey (Ten Sparks to Guide You From Idea to Publication) by Chrys Fey is a must-read book for those who are serious about writing, but are clueless or doubtful of their writing capabilities. I have read many writing books, and have completed many writing courses, but this book seems to have it all. Initially, I wasn't very impressed with the title, as it indicated (to me) that it was just little bits of information and ideas to help guide the writer to a better writing experience. However, this book is so much more and condenses years worth of research and learning into a more accessible medium. "Sparks" is a great word, and I love how the author created a whole book using the premise. Plus, I found the information within to bring about more than just mere sparks! It actually fanned the flames of inspiration and creativity, creating a blaze. I would suggest this book to all who write as a desk reference book - it will be worth it!
Recommend this book:
Publish with Purpose
A Goal-Oriented Framework for Publishing Success
Tara R. Alemany

2019 Honorable Mention
126 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

Publish with Purpose: A Goal-Oriented Framework for Publishing Success by Tara R. Alemany is a practical guide to a successful writing and publishing career. With the number of book publishing options in the market, authors still find themselves trapped, unsure of what to do when it comes to getting their book in front of the right audience. While writing can be hard work, marketing a book can be even more demanding. Making the right decisions when it comes to publishing tools and an effective marketing strategy is the secret to not only getting books to the right audiences but building a career that is fruitful. In this self-help book, the author offers great advice and helps authors with tools they need to create a winning publishing strategy.
Tara R. Alemany breaks ground for both new and existing authors and discusses the importance of knowing why they write and connecting that why to the needs of their audiences. This book will help any writer learn the art of defining their purpose of writing, of knowing who their audience is, and of writing a book that addresses concrete needs while helping the author reach specific goals. The author explains the framework in this book and what it is designed to achieve: reader experience and the experience the author wants them to have, the author and their business, and the overall impact of the book. The ideas in this book are well arranged and the bullet points, combined with the step by step process, make a great working tool for readers. Publish with Purpose: A Goal-Oriented Framework for Publishing Success is written in an easy-to-understand conversational style that makes for a great reading experience. Filled with wisdom and insight, it is an excellent companion on the publishing path.
Recommend this book:
Creating Literary Stories
A Fiction Writer's Guide
William H Coles

2019 Finalist
130 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing

What is literary fiction? And what makes it different from memoirs or genre fiction? Literary fiction is something that will stand the course of time; it will make a bold statement and allow the individual reader to grow in his or her experience merely by reading the story. Basically, literary fiction is a complex work of art, something to be savored, studied and analyzed. So, how does one write literary fiction? It must be assumed that any writer can write a good story, but is it literary fiction? Does it have the potential of becoming literary fiction? There are many elements essential in the creation of a good piece of literary fiction. First of all, characterization is important. “The author who wants to create great stories must characterize well.” The characters give the story focus, meaning, direction and so much more. And that, in the art of literary fiction, is what makes it. In effect, “Meaning and purpose are crucial.”
Author William H. Coles’ Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide is a powerful tool to help writers, both beginners and established, to create their great work of literary fiction. Starting with a discussion and comparison of literary fiction versus memoir or genre fiction, the author proceeds to outline the important elements of a good work of literary fiction. Step-by-step, he leads the reader through the complexities of characterization, narration, dialogue, conflict, point of view and so much more. Using examples from classic literature, each important element is explained and compared to help the reader comprehend the complexities of the story’s structure. This is a must-have guide for all writers. Well written and laid out, this is an interesting read.
