independent book awards

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.

Foreword Reviews, Book of the Year Awards

Deadline: January 15

Genre: All

Foreword Review, one of the industry’s foremost independent reviews, identifies the previous year’s best independently published books. According to Foreword, the awards are “reviewed by librarians and booksellers as an important statement about a title they might have overlooked,” so it’s definitely worth the effort to enter. Note that there is a $99 entry fee, but that could all be gained back with the $1,500 prize. But hurry—the deadline is January 15.

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards

Deadline: January 15 (extended from December 31)

Genre: All

The Benjamin Franklin Awards, administered by the Independent Book Publishers Association, is one of the more highly regarded awards in the indie world. Winners are recognized at an IBPA gala, and receive an engraved crystal trophy and publicity on the IBPA page. There’s another bonus to entering as well: The judges of the Benjamin Franklin Awards give every entrant personalized feedback and recommendations for their titles.

Eric Hoffer Award

Deadline: January 21

Genre: All (For a more specific list of eligible categories, visit this link.)

Another great award with an upcoming deadline is the Eric Hoffer Award for Independent Books. This award, named after American philosopher Eric Hoffer, honors authors whose work has been published with independent, small, academic or self-publishing presses. The grand prizewinner receives $2,000, and the award is covered in the US Review of Books.

Independent Publisher Book Awards

Deadline: March 21

Genre: All

The “IPPY” awards are in their sixteenth year of recognizing independent talent. The group offers a number of awards in a breathtaking amount of categories (72!) as well as regional, and ebook-specific awards. In addition to the regular IPPY awards, the group also names “Outstanding Books of the Year.”

The National Indie Excellence Book Awards

Deadline: April 10

Genre: All

Submissions for the National Indie Excellence Book Awards are now open for independent and self-published books; pieces published between 2009 and 2012 are eligible. Prizes are sponsored packages—everything from mobile marketing to event management services to electronic press kits—designed to continue your book’s sales journey after the award.

Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

Deadline: First Round—March 31; Final—August 31

Genre: Children’s, Middlegrade, Young Adult

This award, sponsored by the Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher Magazine, seeks to honor children’s book authors, illustrators, and publishers. The award is given in a number of age- and genre-appropriate categories. Every winning author receives a medal, a certificate, and 20 sample seals for their books.

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