The Annual Literary Awards 2013 is open!
2012 Winners
2012 Finalists
The annual literary awards were established to honor writers who self-published or had their books published by a subsidy publisher, small press, university press, or independent book publisher geared for the North American reading audience. POD books are accepted.
Listen to podcast: Choosing the Right Book Contest
Listen to podcast: Irene Watson interviewed by Cyrus Webb, Coversations Live Radio Program
Read article on Writer Beware - Tips on Evaluating Literary Contests
Read article on Writer Beware - When a Writing Contest Has a Hidden Agenda
Read article on Direct Contact PR - Getting Publicty with Book Awards Update 2012
Eligibility
Reader Views Literary Awards are open to all authors regardless of residency, however, the books must be published in the English language and targeted for the North American market. Work published by major book publishers are not eligible. Books must have 2013 copyright date. (Copyright date is on the copyright page of the printed book. Yes, that means copyright date - no, it doesn't mean a copyright date of 2012 and publication in 2013. This means copyright in 2013. Please do not ask us for concessions because it's not going to happen.) Submission for more than one category or more than one title is acceptable. Books that have racist themes will be not be accepted.
Regional or Global entries may refer to the book's topic or the author's residency. For example, an author living in Alberta writing about a plot in Alabama may enter Canada-West as a regional author and/or the South-East as a regional book. Or, an author living in the UK writing about a plot in Texas may enter Global EU as well as Regional S.
Judging
All initial judging will be done by reviewers from Reader Views. They are experts in their fields as well as avid readers. Consider them your reading audience. Criteria for judging is content/originality, presentation/design, innovation, social relevance, production quality, enjoyment/impact, plot/story line, and resoursefulness (depending on category.) Three finalists in each category will be determined by a point system. Final judging will be determined by a jury of judges.
In the first level of judging, a reviewer will write a review and it will be forwarded to you. The review will also be posted on Reader Views or Reader Views Kids as well as our weblog and amazon.com. We cannot guarantee the timing when you will get the review, however, we will attempt the best we can to review/judge your book as soon as it is submitted. Keep in mind, the sooner you submit your book, the sooner you will get a review. The review will be in a form of tear sheet and you may use it for your marketing purposes. If you have already received a review from us, you will not be receiving another review. Your book will automatically go into the second level in the process. Please do not wait until deadline date to submit your book if your book is now in print. It is only fair to other authors, who publish late in the fall, to use this deadline date.
eBooks
We will accept eBooks, only if there is no print copy, in any of the Categories listed below. If you have a print copy of the book it must be submitted rather than the eBook. If you submit an eBook but there is a print copy for available your entry will be disqualified. (Yes, we will check.)
Categories
Children/Teen/YA
# Code, Genre
- (1) Children - toddler to 5
- (2) Children - early reader, age 6 to 8
- (3) Children - young reader, age 8 to 12
- (4) Teen - age 12 to 16
- (5) Young Adult - age 15 to 18
Adult
# Code, Genre
- (6) Aging/Retirement/Seniors
- (7) Art/Music/Pop Culture/Performing Arts
- (8) Body/Mind/Spirit
- (9) Business/Sales/Economics
- (10) Cooking/Crafts/Hobbies/How-to
- (11) Erotica
- (12) Fantasy
- (13) Gay/Lesbian
- (14) General Fiction/Novel
- (15) Graphic Novel
- (16) Health/Fitness
- (17) Historical Fiction
- (18) History/Science
- (19) Humanities (Men’s-Women’s issues/Multi-cultural/Sports)
- (20) Humor
- (21) Memoir/Autobiography/Biography
- (22) Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror
- (23) Parenting/Family/Relationships
- (24) Poetry
- (25) Religion (Eastern/Western)
- (26) Romance Novel
- (27) Science Fiction
- (28) Self-help
- (29) Societal Issues (Politics/Society/Environment/Current Events/True Crime)
- (30) Spirituality/Inspiration
- (31) Travel
- (32) Writing/Publishing
Regional
Letter Code, Region
NE: North-East – ME, VT, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY
MA: Mid-Atlantic – PA, WV, VA, DE, MD, DC, NJ
S: South – MS, LA, AR, TX, TN
SE: South-East -- KY, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL
GL: Great Lakes -- OH, MI, IN, IL, WI
MW: Mid-West – MN, IA, MO, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND
WM: West-Mountain – MT, WY, ID, UT, CO, NM, AZ, NV
WP: West-Pacific – CA, OR, WA, HI, AK
CE: Canada-East – ON, QB, NF, NB, NS, PE, NT
CW: Canada-West – BC, AB, SK, MB, NWT, YK
Global
Letter Code, Country
SA: South America
CA: Central America
EU: Europe
AS: Asia
AU: Australia/New Zealand/Australasia
AF: Africa
CN: Carribean
General Awards
Three finalists will be chosen in each fiction and non-fiction category. First and second place winners will be awarded in each category. Third place will receive an honorable mention.
One finalist, the top score in each area, will be chosen in each regional and global category.
Each winner will receive a certificate. All certificates and awards stickers will be dated for year 2013.
Finalists will be announced in our weekly e-mail newsletter on March 15, 2014 and the winners on March 25, 2014. If we can possibly speed it up, we certainly will.
Specialized Awards
Aside from general awards the following awards will be presented. All books submitted will qualify and be considered for these awards. A jury of judges will make the final decision on awards.
If you are a winner of a specialized award, it must be claimed within 60 days of notification otherwise forfeited. The awards cannot be transfered into cash and must be used as is.
Children/Teens
*Reviewers Choice Award for Best Book Written by An Author Age 18 and Under
Award: $900 value. One year full-page listing on First Chapter Plus, an e-Catalog sent to librarians, book store owners and potential readers/bloggers/reviewers. Sponsored by First Chapter Plus.
Criteria: Author must be Age 18 or under.
*Reader Views Kids Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year
Award: $600 value. One year of advertising on the right side-bar of Reader Views Kids website. Size of ad will be 200 x 200 px. Link will go to winner’s choice. As well, author will be interviewed for Inside Scoop Live, and the interview featured on Reader Views Kids, and, Reader Views. Sponsored by Reader Views Kids.
Criteria: Winner will be chosen from the first place winners in the Children’s categories.
*Reader Views Kids Award for Best Teen/YA Book of the Year
Award: $600 value. One year of advertising on the right side-bar of Reader Views Kids website. Size of ad will be 200 x 200 px. Link will go to winner’s choice. As well, author will be interviewed for Inside Scoop Live, and the interview featured on Reader Views Kids, and, Reader Views. Sponsored by Reader Views Kids.
Criteria: Winner will be chosen from the first place winners in the Teen/YA categories.
*Blazing Trailers Award for Best Children's Picture Book
Award: A $450 value. Video book trailer up to 2 minutes long. Includes design, music, animated titles and backgrounds. Also includes ONE of the following: Audio voice over or animation. Author will supply artwork from the picture book. Sponsored by Blazing Trailers and Previews by Kim McDougall.
*Feathered Quill Be Kind To Animals Award
Award: $150 value. Book Review, interview with author, and feature on website. Sponsored by Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
Criteria: Winner will be chosen from all categories of childrens/teens entries. Theme of book must display kindness to animals.
Adult
*Garcia
Memorial Prize for the Best Fiction Book of the Year
Award: $1000 value. Package consists of one press release written and distributed to media targets. Sponsored by Maryglenn McCombs Book Publicity.
Criteria: Winner will be chosen from all first place winners in the fiction categories.
*Reviewers Choice Best Nonfiction Book of the Year
Award: $1000 value. One year full-page listing on First Chapter Plus, an e-Catalog sent to librarians, book store owners and potential readers/bloggers/reviewers. Plus $100 cash. Sponsored by First Chapter Plus.
Criteria: Winner will be chosen from all the first place winners in the nonfiction category.
*Mc Dougall Previews Award for Best Fantasy Book
Award: $550 value. Video book trailer up to 2 minutes in duration, up to 20 images, up to 2 video clips, up to 2 tracks of music, and animated titles and backgrounds. Sponsored by Blazing Trailers.
Criteria: Winner will be in first place of the Fantasy category.
*Conversations Award for the Best Regional Book of the Year
Award: $400 value. Winner will receive an interview on Conversations Live Radio, advertisement in Conversations Magazine, and listing in Conversations Book Club. Sponsored by Cyrus Webb, well-known Internet radio and Mississippi 92.3 FM personality.
Criteria: Winner will be chosen from the first place winners, fiction and nonfiction, in the regional categories.
*Tyler R. Tichelaar Award for Best Historical Fiction
Award: Value: $375. $100 cash, book review, a press release written and distributed by Reader Views, and a copy of “Authors Access: 30 Success Secrets for Authors and Publishers.” Sponsored by Tyler R. Tichelaar
Criteria: First Place in the Historical Fiction category.
*Polka Dot Banner Award for the Best Body/Health Book
Award: $300 value. Formerly known as our Pro-Promoter package, the award includes an expanded profile listing - created for you to save you time and effort. Listings include author and book information, links to reviews, POD casts, and personal website, contact info and more. In addition, the award includes a top-of-the-page, author highlight banner announcing the book as a winner in this category. These banners are placed randomly throughout the site and click the reader direct to the author's profile. As an award winner, the author will receive extra visibility on the site with additional book highlight images and direct Amazon links. The listing lasts for a period of one year. Sponsord by Polka Dot Banner.
Criteria: First place winner in the Body/Health category.
*Savvy Book Marketer Award for Best Writing/Publishing Book
Award: $100 value: one copy of each of the Savvy Book Marketer Guides.
Sponsored by Dana Lynn Smith, The Savvy Book Marketer.
Criteria: 1st Place book in the Writing/Publishing category
*Inside Scoop Live Award for the Most Innovative Book of Poetry
Award: Value $125. Interview and poetry reading on Inside Scoop Live as well as feature on Inside Scoop Live and Reader Views websites. Sponsored by Inside Scoop Live.
Criteria: Book must possess creative use of elements as well as originality of subject matter.
*Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama
Award: $100 cash prize. Sponsored by Jack Eadon
Criteria: The characters must be vividly portrayed as those individuals who can exist side-by-side with someone living in this world now, dealing with issues of today in a dramatic fashion. The setting must be excruciatingly real.
*I Have Something To Say Award for the Best Book Sharing Life Lessons Through Story Telling
Award: Podcast interview with author on I Have Something to Say Live and book review on I Have Something to Say Blog.
Criteria: Book must focus on sharing life lessons through story telling.
Entry Fee
$85.00 per title (for the initial category) if postmarked before October 31, 2013, $95.00 if postmarked between November 1 and December 1, 2013. $20.00 for each additional category or regional/global entry.
Entry may be combined with any Express Review Package if requested at the same time. (Indicate on Express Review submission form that you want to add your book into the awards program.) Entry fee is reduced to $60.00 per title (for the initial category) if requested before October 31, 2013, $70.00 if requested between November 1 and December 1, 2013. $20.00 for each additional category or regional/global entry remains the same.
Entry fee must be in USD via U.S. check or U.S. money order payable to: Book By Book Publicity. (Our bank will no longer accept International Money Orders. If you are from out of the United States please contact us for instructions for payment.) If you are requesting your book be entered in the awards contest at the same time as your Express Review is done, you may pay by credit card.
Submission for more than one category or area is acceptable. Submit two copies of the book for the first category, and an additional book for each other category to be considered. For example, if you enter your book in the "Fiction - Historical" category as well as "Young Adult" and "SW Region" you must send in four books.
All books entered will become the property of Reader Views and donated to local charities after the awards program is completed.
Submissions received without the entry fee will not be considered. Entry fee is non-refundable.
Registration Deadline
Authors are encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible but postmarked no later than December 1, 2013. Any submission postmarked after this date will not be accepted. (Help us prevent judge burn-out and submit your book early! Hint: our judges read the book in its entirety - give them plenty of time to read the book.) We will confirm your entry via e-mail so print your email address clearly.
Registration for Print Books
Download and print:
Registration form without Express Review Package
Registration form with Express Review Package
Be sure one form is included with each title submitted. If submitting more than one title or in more than one category, one check or money order may be included for all submissions.
Be sure to send appropriate number for books. (Two for the first category, one for each additional category.) Registration form must accompany each title and sent to:
Book By Book Publicity
Reader Views Literary Awards 2012
6705 Hwy. 290 W., Ste 502-255
Austin, TX 78735
If sending check, please make it payable to: Book By Book Publicity
Registration for eBooks
Download and complete online:
Registration form without Express Review Package (eBook only)
Registration form with Express Review Package (eBook only)
This entry form is for eBooks when there is no print copy available. If you enter an eBook and there is a print copy available your entry will be disqualified and fees will NOT be refunded. Please don't ask us for concessions, it will not happen.)
The above forms are to be filled out online. Once filled out, save it into a file. Email your entry form and pdf of your eBook in a zip file to: admin@readerviews.com (DO NOT send as two attachments - the entry form must be in a zip file to qualify. If you don't know how to create a zip file please Google for the instructions.)
In the subject line enter: Reader Views Awards Entry - Ebook
Payment via PayPal for eBook entry only: (When making payment please use the menu below. First click on your entry fee, fill out the Book Title and Author, and click "submit." A window will open with your invoice. Return to this page to add your category payment. Do the same and enter submit. Do this for every category. When completed payment can be made through the invoice.)
Rights
Reader Views will not retain any rights to submitted books. Nor will they reproduce or publish any submission. All contact information will not be disclosed to a third party other than the sponsor of the above noted awards.
Reader Views reserves the right to disqualify any entry, without prior notice, if guidelines and criteria are not met. Entry fee is non-refundable to disqualified entries.
Important Notice
In the past we would contact the submitter if the appropriate number of books were not enclosed with the submission. This year we will not be doing that. Please be sure you enclose two copies of your book for the first category as well as one book for each additional category.
Do not deface your book by stamping it as "review copy" or "promo copy." After the judging is over we donate the books to a local library or a school library (every year donation is a different one). We may also use some of the books as a fund raiser and all the proceeds we receive go to Book for Soldiers.
2012 Finalists
2011 Winners
2011 Finalists
2010 Winners
2010 Finalists
2009 Winners
2009 Finalists
2008 Finalists
2008 Winners
2007 Finalists
2007 Winners
2006 Finalists
2006 Winners
List of Other Awards
Along with our book reviews we offer affordable services to meet the needs of our authors in the growing book publishing industry. Our service packages are budget friendly, effective, and will assist the author in showcasing their book to the reading audience.
