CONTEST RULES AND GUIDELINES
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. POD books are accepted. DO NOT SUBMIT ARCs.
Eligibility
The Reader Views Literary Awards contest is open to all authors regardless of residency, however, books must be published in the English language as they will be scored by North American judges. Works published by major book publishers are not eligible.
Books must have 2020 copyright date, except for entries in our Classics Category. Yes, this means the copyright date. No, it does not mean a copyright date of 2019 and publication date of 2020. The copyright date is located on the copyright page of the printed book. If your book has a copyright date prior to 2020 it will automatically be submitted in the “Classics” category.
Submission for more than one category or more than one title by an author 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. It may also enter the Southeast category as a regional book. Alternatively, an author living in the UK writing about a plot in Texas may enter the Global EU category as well as the Regional South category.
Judging
All initial judging will be done by the Reader Views team of reviewers. 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, and production quality (do not send ARCs). Books will also be judged on the enjoyment and/or impact, the plot/story line, and resourcefulness (depending on category.)
Three finalists in each category will be determined by a points-system. Final judging will be determined by a panel of judges. In the first level of judging, a reviewer will write a review, which will be forwarded to the author or contact person stated on the submission form. The review will also be posted on Reader Views or Reader Views Kids.
We cannot guarantee the timing of 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 of the judging process. Please do not wait until the 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.
MORE ON THE “CLASSICS” CATEGORY
Note: If your book has a copyright date prior to 2020 it will automatically be submitted in the “Classics” category. The “Classics” category is ONLY open to copyright books prior to 2020 that have NOT participated in a previous awards program with Reader Views. This means that if you entered your title previously, you are not eligible for this category. Likewise, if your copyright is 2020, you are not eligible for this category either.
eBooks
We will accept eBooks, only if there is no print copy submitted in any of the categories listed, however, if you have a print copy of the book, it should be submitted rather than the eBook. If you submit an eBook but there is a print copy available, or a print copy will be available before December 31, 2020, your entry will be disqualified (yes, we check), and your entry fee forfeited.
We recommend submitting a print book, as the title will have other category options, which might improve its chances for an award. eBooks do not qualify for any category other than the eBook category.
Entry Fee
$89.00 per title (for the initial category if submitted prior to November 1, 2020) $99 per title (for the initial category if submitted after October 31, 2020) $35.00 for each additional category or regional/global entry.
Entry fee must be paid in USD via US check or US money order payable to: Book By Book Publicity. However, if you live outside of the United States you will be sent a PayPal invoice upon our receipt of your 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, however, all entries must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2020. Any submission postmarked after this date will not be accepted. 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.
