Why Indie Authors Should Enter Award Contests
Award season is upon us! The Director’s Guild, the Screen Actors’ Guild, The Emmy’s, the Oscar nominations…awards galore.
Indie Authors, take notice. Awards aren’t just for Hollywood or Broadway. You need to be interested in them too.
Now, I’ve heard the outcries: They cost too much so they must be a scam. I don’t write to win awards. Who cares?
First, yes, applying for awards can get expensive. What are you paying for? The judges who participate and review hundreds of applicants’ books. You are also paying for the time to collect the information and do the administrative portion of the website and winners packets. Money is used to give every applicant a fair shot and to manage the rewards afterwards.
Second, you don’t write to win awards. Agreed. You do write to be seen and heard. And one of the ways to be seen is to be an award winner. Those who do win awards elevate themselves into the second layer of writers. Imagine when your readers see, “award-winning author.” Once you win an award (from an established competition) that tag line is yours. And even small awards count. For example, one day I hope I might land a bestseller title (Amazon, USA or NYT), but until then I keep trying to win a prestigious award for each of my books. It helps my readers see that I’m a chance worth taking.
And that goes into the “who cares” category. Readers do care. When they are scanning for a new book and they see you are an award winner, they will stop and give you a second look. Maybe you don’t care because you are a bestseller. Why not add to your recognition with an award that screams quality on top of your sellability?
I’m going to give you an EXTRA REASON to apply for an award. When a librarian is looking at two books and one has award sticker on it and the other doesn’t, your award sticker may be the deciding factor to be carried or not by that library. I’ve seen it in action. Additionally, at book signings, people will stop when they see award stickers and will ask about the book(s). So, go for the visual and be seen!
For what awards should you apply? There are lists upon lists out there for the Indie author. I’ll give you my favorite and the reputable ones. You can google Indie Author Awards and see if there are others you want to look into. Do vet them before applying though, ok? I’m not going to give you the requirements here but I will tell you that I know these are good and the links work.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards – Deadline Feb 17 – ACT NOW
The Independent Publisher Book Awards – Deadline Feb 25 – ACT NOW
Independent Press Award – Deadline Mar 31
National Indie Excellence Award – Deadline Mar 31
Global Ebook Awards – Deadline Apr 30
Readers Favorite International Book Awards – Deadline Jun 1 (early registration Apr 1)
Kindle Ebook Awards – Deadline May 1
(You’re too late this year for Eric Hoffer and eLit Book Awards but make a note for next year!)
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I encourage every author to consider a couple award entries every year for each newly published work. Check the categories and eligibility requirements and then go for it!
And the award goes to…..?
You could surprise yourself and end up an award-winning author, too.
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****The following items will always appear to keep you posted on activities.*****
WIP (Works in Progress):
– Writer’s Workbook – Learning to Write Everyday – Beginners Volume (expected April 2017)
– first novel in the Evening Bower series, about vampires and other supernatural creatures (Nov 2017)
– prequel novella to the Bower series (May 2017)
– four-part fairy story (part one complete) (Christmas 2017)
On the Desk: (next reading): waiting on my next book
Off the Desk (book just finished): Prince Lestat 2 by Anne Rice
Coming Soon: Interview with new folks and more about upcoming giveaways, plus more commentaries.
