Have we missed an award that should be on this list? Have you had any difficulties with any of these awards? Please email info@writersunion.ca with the details so we can keep this list up to date.
Jump to:
FEATURED AWARD
Whistler Independent Book Awards
Presented by The Writers' Union of Canada
Established in 2016 to recognize excellence in Canadian independent publishing, the Whistler Independent Book Awards offers prizes in two categories: fiction and nonfiction. There are three finalists in each category (fiction and nonfiction), with the winners being announced at the annual Whistler Writers Festival.
Topic: fiction, nonfiction
Eligibility: Canadian author or permanent resident; all entries must be available for purchase in physical form; book must be copyrighted within the last six years.
Deadline: April 30
Entry Fee: $100
Prize(s): Various benefits for short list, finalists, and winners; refer to website for details.
Learn more: independentbookawards.ca
CANADIAN AWARDS
Canadian Authors General Literary Awards
Topic: fiction, literary non-fiction, crime fiction
Eligibility: Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada; book must be available for purchase in physical form
Deadline: end of January
Entry Fee: $40
Prize(s): $1,000
Learn more: canadianauthors.org
Whistler Independent Book Awards
Presented by The Writers' Union of Canada
Topic: fiction, nonfiction
Eligibility: Canadian author or permanent resident; all entries must be available for purchase in physical form; book must be copyrighted within the last six years.
Deadline: April 30
Entry Fee: $100
Prize(s): Various benefits for short list, finalists, and winners; refer to website for details.
Learn more: independentbookawards.ca
The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour
Topic: Major emphasis must be on humour
Eligibility: entries must carry an ISBN; entrants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants; English or a translation into English
Deadline: end of December
Entry Fee: $200
Prize(s): $15,000; two runners-up are each awarded $1,500
Learn more: leacock.ca
Canadian Authors General Literary Awards
Topic: fiction, literary non-fiction, crime fiction
Eligibility: Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada; book must be available for purchase in physical form
Deadline: end of January
Entry Fee: $40
Prize(s): $1,000
Learn more: canadianauthors.org
Whistler Independent Book Awards
Presented by The Writers' Union of Canada
Topic: fiction, nonfiction
Eligibility: Canadian author or permanent resident; all entries must be available for purchase in physical form; book must be copyrighted within the last six years.
Deadline: April 30
Entry Fee: $100
Prize(s): Various benefits for short list, finalists, and winners; refer to website for details.
Learn more: independentbookawards.ca
The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour
Topic: Major emphasis must be on humour
Eligibility: entries must carry an ISBN; entrants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants; English or a translation into English
Deadline: end of December
Entry Fee: $200
Prize(s): $15,000; two runners-up are each awarded $1,500
Learn more: leacock.ca
NON-CANADIAN AWARDS WITH CANADIAN REGIONAL CATEGORIES
Independent Publisher Book Awards
Topic: 80 subject categories (including regional awards for Canada-East and Canada-West)
Eligibility: independent publishing industry members
Deadline: late February
Entry Fee: various (less than $100)
Prize(s): medal, personalized certificate, 20 foil seals; related publicity includes the awards event, a print and online advertising campaign, and year-long exposure at IndependentPublisher.com
Learn more: independentpublisher.com
The Annual Literary Awards
Topic: many, including Canada-East and Canada-West regional awards
Eligibility: English-language; targeted for North American marketing; works published by major book publishers are not eligible
Deadline: beginning of December
Entry Fee: $85 per title; $25 for each additional category
Prize(s): category-specific cash prizes, ranging from $100 to $1000
Learn more: readerviews.com
Independent Publisher Book Awards
Topic: 80 subject categories (including regional awards for Canada-East and Canada-West)
Eligibility: independent publishing industry members
Deadline: late February
Entry Fee: various (less than $100)
Prize(s): medal, personalized certificate, 20 foil seals; related publicity includes the awards event, a print and online advertising campaign, and year-long exposure at IndependentPublisher.com
Learn more: independentpublisher.com
The Annual Literary Awards
Topic: many, including Canada-East and Canada-West regional awards
Eligibility: English-language; targeted for North American marketing; works published by major book publishers are not eligible
Deadline: beginning of December
Entry Fee: $85 per title; $25 for each additional category
Prize(s): category-specific cash prizes, ranging from $100 to $1000
Learn more: readerviews.com
CASH PRIZE AWARDS
Eric Hoffer Book Award
Topic: many categories
Eligibility: must be nominated by someone; independent books from academic, small, and independent presses
Deadline: mid-January
Entry Fee: $57
Prize(s): grand prize of $2,000
Learn more: hofferaward.com
North Street Book Prize
Established in 2014 for self-published or hybrid-published books in multiple genres
Annual submission window: February 15-July 1
Prizes: All entrants receive benefits from our co-sponsors and guaranteed feedback (5-10 sentences) from judges; Grand Prize of $10,000; Eight $1,000 First Place winners, one in each category; Eight $300 Honorable Mention awards, one in each category; All winners and honorable mentions receive marketing, design, and publishing benefits from contest co-sponsors; A free, full-length private critique from Winning Writers ( $90-$240 value) for one finalist in each category.
Eligibility: International
Entry fee: $79 per book
Learn more: https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/north-street-book-prize
Nautilus Book Awards
Topic: spiritual growth, conscious living & green values, high-level wellness, and positive social change; books that stimulate the imagination and offer the reader new possibilities for a better life and a better world
Eligibility: English-language; all countries; small press or self-published books will also be entered into award categories for separate awards
Deadline: early February
Entry Fee: $175 for 1st category, $145 for additional
Prize(s): $2,500 to one Grand Award Winner
Learn more: nautilusbookawards.com
Indie Book Awards
Topic: 70 categories
Eligibility: independent authors and publishers worldwide
Deadline: mid-February
Entry Fee: $75 per title; $50 for additional or $175 if you enter one book in three categories
Prize(s): $1,500/$750/$500 for first/second/third in fiction and non-fiction categories; $100 winner for each of the 70 categories; listing in Indie Book Award catalogue; invitation to NYC Gala Awards Reception
Learn more: indiebookawards.com
The International Rubery Book Award
Topic: many
Eligibility: indie writers
Deadline: end of March
Entry Fee: 36GBP
Prize(s): $2000 for Book of the Year; category winners each win $200
Learn more: ruberybookaward.com
Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
Topic: 8 different categories
Eligibility: English-language; self-published
Deadline: early April
Entry Fee: $110/$99, depending on deadline
Prize(s): Grand Prize: $8,000+ more, First Prize winner: $1,000+more; also prize for honorable mentions and entrants as well
Learn more: writersdigest.com
The Kindle Book Awards
Topic: 7 categories
Eligibility: Any independent and small press author; English-lanuage; .mobi format
Deadline: Start of May
Entry Fee: $29
Prize(s): 7 category winners will receive $300 cash and $549 in promotion & tools
Learn more: thekindlebookreview.net
The BookLife Prize in Fiction
Topic: Fiction in 6 categories
Eligibility: English language; unpublished or self-published fiction by independent authors
Deadline: late September
Entry Fee: $99
Prize(s): $5,000; author profile in Publishers Weekly
Learn more: booklife.com
Shelf Unbound Best Indie/Self-Published Book Competition
Eligibility: English-language independently-published books
Deadline: early October
Entry Fee: $50 per book
Prize(s): $500 for Best Independently Published Book and $1000 for Best Sports Book
Learn more: shelfmediagroup.com
Eric Hoffer Book Award
Topic: many categories
Eligibility: must be nominated by someone; independent books from academic, small, and independent presses
Deadline: mid-January
Entry Fee: $57
Prize(s): grand prize of $2,000
Learn more: hofferaward.com
North Street Book Prize
Established in 2014 for self-published or hybrid-published books in multiple genres
Annual submission window: February 15-July 1
Prizes: All entrants receive benefits from our co-sponsors and guaranteed feedback (5-10 sentences) from judges; Grand Prize of $10,000; Eight $1,000 First Place winners, one in each category; Eight $300 Honorable Mention awards, one in each category; All winners and honorable mentions receive marketing, design, and publishing benefits from contest co-sponsors; A free, full-length private critique from Winning Writers ( $90-$240 value) for one finalist in each category.
Eligibility: International
Entry fee: $79 per book
Learn more: https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/north-street-book-prize
Nautilus Book Awards
Topic: spiritual growth, conscious living & green values, high-level wellness, and positive social change; books that stimulate the imagination and offer the reader new possibilities for a better life and a better world
Eligibility: English-language; all countries; small press or self-published books will also be entered into award categories for separate awards
Deadline: early February
Entry Fee: $175 for 1st category, $145 for additional
Prize(s): $2,500 to one Grand Award Winner
Learn more: nautilusbookawards.com
Indie Book Awards
Topic: 70 categories
Eligibility: independent authors and publishers worldwide
Deadline: mid-February
Entry Fee: $75 per title; $50 for additional or $175 if you enter one book in three categories
Prize(s): $1,500/$750/$500 for first/second/third in fiction and non-fiction categories; $100 winner for each of the 70 categories; listing in Indie Book Award catalogue; invitation to NYC Gala Awards Reception
Learn more: indiebookawards.com
The International Rubery Book Award
Topic: many
Eligibility: indie writers
Deadline: end of March
Entry Fee: 36GBP
Prize(s): $2000 for Book of the Year; category winners each win $200
Learn more: ruberybookaward.com
Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
Topic: 8 different categories
Eligibility: English-language; self-published
Deadline: early April
Entry Fee: $110/$99, depending on deadline
Prize(s): Grand Prize: $8,000+ more, First Prize winner: $1,000+more; also prize for honorable mentions and entrants as well
Learn more: writersdigest.com
The Kindle Book Awards
Topic: 7 categories
Eligibility: Any independent and small press author; English-lanuage; .mobi format
Deadline: Start of May
Entry Fee: $29
Prize(s): 7 category winners will receive $300 cash and $549 in promotion & tools
Learn more: thekindlebookreview.net
The BookLife Prize in Fiction
Topic: Fiction in 6 categories
Eligibility: English language; unpublished or self-published fiction by independent authors
Deadline: late September
Entry Fee: $99
Prize(s): $5,000; author profile in Publishers Weekly
Learn more: booklife.com
Shelf Unbound Best Indie/Self-Published Book Competition
Eligibility: English-language independently-published books
Deadline: early October
Entry Fee: $50 per book
Prize(s): $500 for Best Independently Published Book and $1000 for Best Sports Book
Learn more: shelfmediagroup.com
NON-MONETARY PRIZES
Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Awards
Topic: 60 categories
Eligibility: independently-published books, incl. those from self-published authors and university presses, and available for purchase in print or e-book formats
Deadline: mid-January
Entry Fee: $99 per entry, $79 for additional categories
Learn more: forewordreviews.com
eLit Book Awards
Topic: 65 e-lit categories
Eligibility: English-language; open to all members of the electronic publishing industry; worldwide
Deadline: end of January
Entry Fee: $70/$80/$90 depending on deadline met
Learn more: elitawards.com
IndieReader Discovery Awards
Topic: fiction and non-fiction
Eligibility: Indie authors who have self-published books; ISBN or ASIN number; eBooks and paper books
Deadline: end of February
Entry Fee: $150 for first category, $75 for additional
Learn more: indiereader.com
Independent Press Award
Topic: many
Eligibility: Must have an ISBN; independent author and press books; no books published by big 5; audio books accepted; eBooks not accepted
Deadline: end of March
Entry Fee: $75
Learn more: independentpressaward.com
National Indie Excellence Awards
Topic: many
Eligibility: ISBN; English-language, sold in bookstores and Amazon.com; no ebooks
Deadline: end of March
Entry Fee: $75
Learn more: indieexcellence.com
Readers’ Favourite Book Reviews and Award Contest
Topic: only competing against books in your genre
Eligibility: English-language; manuscripts, unpublished, and published books
Deadline: beginning of April
Entry Fee: $89/$99/$109 (early bird/regular/final)
Prize(s): entered to win prize packages just for submitting your book
Learn more: readersfavorite.com
Global eBook Awards
Eligibility: Ebook released to public
Deadline: end of April
Entry Fee: $79
Learn more: globalebookawards.com
International Book Awards
Topic: many
Eligibility: open to all books, published in the English language with an ISBM and currently available for sale online to global consumers
Deadline: end of April
Entry Fee: $59-$79
Learn more: internationalbookawards.com
CIPA EVVY Book Competition
Topic: many
Eligibility: English-language or bilingual with English as one language; ISBN; independently or self-published print book, e-book, or audio book
Deadline: late May
Entry Fee: $95
Learn more: cipabooks.com
Living Now Book Awards
Topic: 29 lifestyle, homestyle, self-development, and fiction categories
Eligibility: English-language; appropriate for North American market
Deadline: beginning of July
Entry Fee: $75/$85/$95 early bird/regular/final
Learn more: livingnowawards.com
Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
Topic: children’s books; many categories
Eligibility: English- or Spanish-language; intended for the North American market
Deadline: mid-August
Entry Fee: $75 per category
Learn more: moonbeamawards.com
IACP Cookbook Awards
Topic: 16 cookbook categories
Eligibility: English-language; bilingual submissions accepted but judged on English content; eBooks eligible with certain restrictions
Deadline: end of November
Entry Fee: $175/$200 depending on entry date
Learn more: iacp.com
Axiom Business Book Awards
Topic: 22 different business categories
Eligibility: English language; authors and publishers throughout North America
Deadline: mid-December
Entry Fee: $95 per title
Learn more: axiomawards.com
New Apple Book Awards for Excellence
Topic: many
Eligibility: English-language; for sale online or offline to North American market; self-published or associated with a small press
Deadline: mid-December
Entry Fee: $50/$70 early bird/final
Learn more: newappleliterary.com
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards
Deadline: end of December
Entry Fee: $95 for IBPA member; $225 for non-IBPA members
Learn more: ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Topic: several
Eligibility: predominantly in English; published by a small, independent, or academic press
Deadline: end of December
Entry Fee: $59
Prize(s): feedback from judging; Amazon and Goodreads review; catchy quote for the back of next book or reprint
Learn more: thewsa.co.uk
Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Awards
Topic: 60 categories
Eligibility: independently-published books, incl. those from self-published authors and university presses, and available for purchase in print or e-book formats
Deadline: mid-January
Entry Fee: $99 per entry, $79 for additional categories
Learn more: forewordreviews.com
eLit Book Awards
Topic: 65 e-lit categories
Eligibility: English-language; open to all members of the electronic publishing industry; worldwide
Deadline: end of January
Entry Fee: $70/$80/$90 depending on deadline met
Learn more: elitawards.com
IndieReader Discovery Awards
Topic: fiction and non-fiction
Eligibility: Indie authors who have self-published books; ISBN or ASIN number; eBooks and paper books
Deadline: end of February
Entry Fee: $150 for first category, $75 for additional
Learn more: indiereader.com
Independent Press Award
Topic: many
Eligibility: Must have an ISBN; independent author and press books; no books published by big 5; audio books accepted; eBooks not accepted
Deadline: end of March
Entry Fee: $75
Learn more: independentpressaward.com
National Indie Excellence Awards
Topic: many
Eligibility: ISBN; English-language, sold in bookstores and Amazon.com; no ebooks
Deadline: end of March
Entry Fee: $75
Learn more: indieexcellence.com
Readers’ Favourite Book Reviews and Award Contest
Topic: only competing against books in your genre
Eligibility: English-language; manuscripts, unpublished, and published books
Deadline: beginning of April
Entry Fee: $89/$99/$109 (early bird/regular/final)
Prize(s): entered to win prize packages just for submitting your book
Learn more: readersfavorite.com
Global eBook Awards
Eligibility: Ebook released to public
Deadline: end of April
Entry Fee: $79
Learn more: globalebookawards.com
International Book Awards
Topic: many
Eligibility: open to all books, published in the English language with an ISBM and currently available for sale online to global consumers
Deadline: end of April
Entry Fee: $59-$79
Learn more: internationalbookawards.com
CIPA EVVY Book Competition
Topic: many
Eligibility: English-language or bilingual with English as one language; ISBN; independently or self-published print book, e-book, or audio book
Deadline: late May
Entry Fee: $95
Learn more: cipabooks.com
Living Now Book Awards
Topic: 29 lifestyle, homestyle, self-development, and fiction categories
Eligibility: English-language; appropriate for North American market
Deadline: beginning of July
Entry Fee: $75/$85/$95 early bird/regular/final
Learn more: livingnowawards.com
Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
Topic: children’s books; many categories
Eligibility: English- or Spanish-language; intended for the North American market
Deadline: mid-August
Entry Fee: $75 per category
Learn more: moonbeamawards.com
IACP Cookbook Awards
Topic: 16 cookbook categories
Eligibility: English-language; bilingual submissions accepted but judged on English content; eBooks eligible with certain restrictions
Deadline: end of November
Entry Fee: $175/$200 depending on entry date
Learn more: iacp.com
Axiom Business Book Awards
Topic: 22 different business categories
Eligibility: English language; authors and publishers throughout North America
Deadline: mid-December
Entry Fee: $95 per title
Learn more: axiomawards.com
New Apple Book Awards for Excellence
Topic: many
Eligibility: English-language; for sale online or offline to North American market; self-published or associated with a small press
Deadline: mid-December
Entry Fee: $50/$70 early bird/final
Learn more: newappleliterary.com
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards
Deadline: end of December
Entry Fee: $95 for IBPA member; $225 for non-IBPA members
Learn more: ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Topic: several
Eligibility: predominantly in English; published by a small, independent, or academic press
Deadline: end of December
Entry Fee: $59
Prize(s): feedback from judging; Amazon and Goodreads review; catchy quote for the back of next book or reprint
Learn more: thewsa.co.uk
