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And the Winner is… Awards Programs for Fiction Writers

Getting recognition for your writing in the form of an award is not only a boost in confidence but it’s
also a great marketing and PR opportunity. Having an industry stamp of approval from an unbiased judging process is a great endorsement of the quality of your writing and gives you fodder to help rise
2013 IPPY Awards in NY
above the noise of the competition.

One of the most highly regarded awards programs for indie authors is the IPPY Awards, which was started by Independent Publisher Magazine 20 years ago. My first novel, Mental Pause, was a bronze award-winner in the best adult fiction ebook category in 2013. I was both shocked and pleased, as it was the first awards program I had ever entered. The publicity alone was well worth it, not to mention a great party in New York!

The point is, including awards programs in your book launch marketing plan is a solid strategy. It’s great exposure for both you as an author and for your books.

Here are the awards programs I’m submitting or have already submitted my latest novel, Deep Deceit, to (fingers crossed). They all have different submission guidelines and some charge entry fees so click on each to visit the website for more details. This is certainly not a comprehensive list so if there are others you know of please feel free to add them below in the comments section…

IPPYAwards, deadline Feb. 27, 2016
EricHoffer Book Award, deadline Jan. 1, 2016
Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards, deadline Dec. 2015
IndieFab Book Awards (Foreward Reviews), deadline Jan. 15, 2016
IndieReader Discovery Awards (Alliance of Independent Authors), deadline March 2, 2016
InternationalBook Awards, deadline Feb. 2016
LibraryJournal - 2016 Self-Published eBook Awards, deadline Aug. 31, 2016
NationalIndie Excellence Book Awards, deadline April 5, 2016
NextGeneration Indie Book Awards, deadline Feb. 12, 2016
Reader'sFavorites, deadline March 30, 2016
Writer'sDigest Self-Publishing Awards, closed now, opens in Nov. for next year's competition
Writer'sDigest Self-Published ebook Awards, closed now but keep on the list for next year
Writers& Editors, March 15, 2016
eLitBook Awards - Jenkins Group, January 31, 2016
BestKindle book awards - Next Gate Press, closed for 2015, watch for next year!

Feel free to share what your awards program experience has been. 


If you’d like to receive my newsletter, book launch announcements or information on upcoming writing retreats, go ahead and sign up for my mailing list. When you sign up you’ll also receive a free copy of my ebook, 10 Steps to a Successful PR Campaign – a Do-it-Yourself Guide for Authors.
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Comments

AmazingSusan said…
thanks for the list Anne, I will come back to it when i write my book :)
8 September 2015 at 02:59
Anne Louise O'Connell said…
You're most welcome Susan! I keep coming across more so will update this in the future. Good luck with the book :)
8 September 2015 at 08:22
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