Following are some commonly asked questions about the Nonfiction Book Awards program.
When is the submission deadline and how does the program work?
Our program honors books year-round so you can submit your entry at any time. Books are not judged against competing titles, but are reviewed by our judges based on a scoring system that evaluates the quality of the writing and production of the book (editing, cover design, and other details). A book can receive a bronze, silver, or gold award provided the final evaluation score qualifies. As with other awards programs, not all books receive an award, though many do.
After I submit my book, how long will it be before I hear back from you?
Typical turn-around time is 8 to 12 weeks for award notification, and sometimes sooner. We will notify you via email once your book has been evaluated, and will let you know if you’ve qualified for an award.
If my book wins an award, what will I receive?
Winners receive a beautiful award certificate, which is mailed to you if you live in the U.S. (international award recipients receive certificates via email). You will also receive a digital award badge that can be published on your website, and you have the option to purchase award stickers for placement on the cover of your books. Our reviewers are encouraged to submit a review on Amazon and other platforms, though this is not guaranteed.
Your book will also be listed in our Book Award Winners, announced in our email newsletter, and shared across our social media networks.
Can I participate if I live outside of the United States?
We welcome international submissions, though please note that we currently only review books written in English.
Is this a pay-for-award program?
Absolutely not. Not all books qualify for a Nonfiction Book Award, though many do. Books are carefully evaluated by judges and honored based on our proprietary scoring system. We do not publish the names of the judges to respect their privacy.
What are my chances of winning an award?
We evaluate books based on several criteria. If you have written an interesting book and it has been professionally produced, your chances of winning an award are very good!
Actual Facebook announcement for Nonfiction Book Awards SILVER winner.
What happens if my book doesn’t receive an award?
We will notify you by email if your book doesn’t qualify for an award and provide some constructive feedback. You will not receive a review on any platform (our policy is to never post negative reviews). You are welcome to submit again later on after your book has gone through a revision or has been reprinted (a new entry fee will be required). No refunds are issued.
What is the cost for submission and why is there a fee?
The submission fee is $300 for one category, and $150 for each additional category. While we wish we didn’t have to charge entry fees, they are necessary, as they cover the cost of implementing and running the program. Our costs are vast and include marketing and publicity for the awards program itself and for award winners, shipping fees, labor costs, website updates, printed certificates, general business overhead expenses, etc. We encourage digital book file submissions, which can help expedite the review process. If you prefer to submit physical book copies, you can pay an extra fee and we will drop-ship three copies of your from Amazon or Bookshop.org to our reviewers.
Questions? Contact us by email.
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