You’ve worked day and night writing, editing, promoting, and selling your book—isn’t it about time you received a little recognition? We think so! That’s why we’ve gathered some of the best upcoming industry awards for independent authors here on the Big Bad Book Blog.

Awards are a great way to gain recognition and visibility, and they just might boost sales and confidence, too. Best of luck! And remember: It’s never too early to start reorganizing the mantel to make room for your many imminent awards.

A Room of Her Own Award 

Deadline: November 1

Genres: Poetry, Playwrighting, Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction

The $50,000 A Room of Her Own Award is the largest award available for women writers. The award’s generous prize is intended to allow women writers to restructure their lives over the two-year award period in order to finish a book-length manuscript.

Best Fiction for Young Adults Award 

Deadline: November 1

Genre: YA Fiction

This award, governed by the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), was created in the 1930s and has been awarded annually ever since. The award recognizes outstanding books for readers between the ages of 12 and 18 and is used by librarians and library workers as a resource for collection development (read: sales for you!) and reader’s advisory purposes. The YALSA sponsors a number of great awards with fall deadlines, such as the Margaret A. Edwards Award; explore them on their website by clicking the link above.

The Bancroft Prizes 

Deadline: November 1

Genre: American History (including Biographies) and Diplomacy

The Bancroft Prizes are awarded by Columbia University to writers of American history and diplomacy. American history may refer to North, Central, or South America. Volumes of papers, letters, or speeches of authors are not eligible, but biographies are permissible.

North American Travel Journalists Association Award 

Deadline: November 15

Genre: Print and digital journalism

The NATJA Awards are in their 21^st year of recognizing both the print and digital work of professional travel journalists. Not exactly a book award, but if you write in this genre on a regular basis, the award could bring attention to your body of work  and consequently your book.

Coretta Scott King Awards 

Deadline: December 1

Genre: Children’s and YA books that demonstrate an appreciation for African American culture

The Coretta Scott King Award is a prestigious award sponsored by the American Library Association; it was founded in 1969 to commemorate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King. The Awards are given annually to both authors and illustrators.

The W.Y. Boyd Literary Award

Deadline: December 1

Genre: Military Fiction

Also sponsored by the ALA, the W.Y. Boyd Literary Award recognizes fiction whose plot is set during an American wartime. The award consists of a $5,000 prize and 24-k certificate.

Golden Kite Awards

Deadline: December 3 

Genre: Children’s Fiction, Nonfiction, Picture Book Text, and Picture Book Illustration

Presented by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Golden Kite Awards recognize excellent authors and illustrators in children’s literature; it is the only award judged by a jury of fellow children’s authors and illustrators. The $2,500 cash prize is given to four winners and an additional four books are honored as well.

California Book Awards 

Deadline: December 14

Genre: Several, see site for more details

California residents are eligible for the California Book Awards held by the Commonwealth Club of CA. Six to eight gold medals are awarded in genres as varied as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s, and California-based theme. Remember, local buzz can lead to a national readership.

John W. Campbell Memorial Award 

Deadline: Fall Season

Genre: Science Fiction

The John W. Campbell Memorial Award is a major award for science fiction writers based at the University of Kansas. The winners are selected by a prestigious, small committee; nominations come from science fiction publishers and individual jurors.

There are a slew of awards out there, so if you know of any prestigious independent book awards with fall deadlines that we’ve missed, let us know in the comments!