A Definitive List of Writing Contests and Book Awards for 2026-2027

Updated October 16, 2026

Your guide to some of the most prestigious and indie-friendly opportunities this year and next.

For self-published authors, book awards and contests offer recognition, credibility, and new readers. Winning or being a finalist can boost sales, attract media, and open new opportunities. While self-published books were once excluded from such competitions, the industry now offers many more opportunities.

We've gathered a list of book awards and contests for 2026 and 2027 that are open to indie authors. They're noted below in order of their deadlines for entry.

Please be sure to read the eligibility, rules, and guidelines for each award before submitting your work. Many of the awards have specifications for submissions related to date published, formats, genre, etc. Additionally, a majority of them require an entry fee upon submission. (However, a number of them offer a discounted "Early Bird" entry fee.)

We'll start with a couple of awards that have deadlines throughout the year…

Chanticleer International Book Awards

The CIBAs celebrate outstanding storytelling in a variety of genres, including mystery and fantasy. This esteemed award offers authors marketing assistance, promotional opportunities, and industry recognition, enhancing their presence in competitive literary markets.

Deadline: Varies by category (throughout 2027)
Categories: Open to fiction and nonfiction authors globally in 20+ categories
Prizes: $1,000 for one lucky Overall Grand Prize Winner; winners receive ribbons, badges, and cash awards along with a powerful promotional boost
For More Info: Chanticleer Reviews

The International Impact Book Awards

These awards welcome independent authors and publishers from around the globe to participate. Both fiction and nonfiction entries are welcome.

Deadline: Year-round entry
Categories: Awards offered in 30 diverse categories in fiction and nonfiction; submit your book to as many categories as you see fit.
Prizes: A digital award seal, a commemorative digital certificate, and year-long recognition and promotion through their network
For More Info: The International Impact Book Award

The Literary Titan Book Awards

Literary Titan focuses on recognizing high-quality fiction and nonfiction, regardless of whether the book is traditionally or independently published. Awards are given based on individual merit through their review service. Each month, they recognize books and authors that stand out for their strong narrative craft and engaging concepts. They look for unique writing styles, well-constructed worlds, complex characters, and innovative ideas.

Deadline: Award recipients announced every month
Categories: Any genre can enter
Prizes: Award stickers and custom certificates for award recipients
For More Info: Literary Titan Book Awards

Deadlines for 2026 & 2027

Deadline: October

Lit Fox Award

For unpublished manuscripts. Open to book-length poetry manuscripts of 48 pages or more. This track is for writers looking to get their work traditionally published.

Deadline: Submissions for the 2027 edition will officially open in October 2026. The exact closing deadline for this cycle will be announced via their portal once the submission window opens.

Prizes: Winner will receive a $1500 cash prize, publication with Lit Fox Books, a blurb from the judge, an interview with Lit Fox Books, customized swag, 25 author copies, and bragging rights.
For More Info: Lit Fox Award

Story Circle Network Sarton and Gilda Women's Book Awards

The Sarton and Gilda competitions accept nominations for books by women authors published in English in the United States or Canada. Eligible titles must be originally written in English and published by independent publishers, university presses, or self-publishing authors based in North America. Works by or about women of color and LBT+ women are welcome in all categories, and anyone, including the author, may submit nominations.

Deadline: October 31
Categories: Memoir, poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama
Prizes: Winners receive a $100 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, award seals, promotional support, a one-year SCN membership and library listing, free admission to SCN’s national conference, and an invitation to speak on the Virtual Award Winners Panel.
For More Info: Story Circle Network Women's Book Awards

Author Shout Book Awards

An annual contest that celebrates standout books in design, storytelling, and reader appeal. Authors can self nominate, and both ebooks and digital copies are accepted. Judges evaluate your submission from an "overall potential reader experience" perspective. They thoroughly analyze your: book cover design, book description/blurb, and "Look Inside" sample chapters.

Deadline: October 31
Categories: All categories/genres/sub-genres accepted
Prizes: Depending on the award, a Gold, Silver, or Bronze badge awarded that can be added to your book cover for bragging rights. Promotion on the website, a graphics pack, essentials service from Book Award Pro.
For More Info: Author Shout Book Awards

The Flash 500 Novel Opening & Synopsis Competition

Published, self-published and unpublished novelists are invited to enter this annual competition looking for a novel opening up to 3,000 words, plus a synopsis of the story (max 750 words) to be submitted together in a single file. The contest is open to all novelists, provided the work is unpublished.

Deadline: October 31
Categories: All genres
Prizes: First prize: £500, Second prize: £200
For More Info: Flash 500 Novels

Deadline: November

The Millennium Book Award 2026

Now in its 13th year, this award continues to grow in popularity amongst authors around the world. It receives entries from traditional publishing houses and self-published authors and each book is considered on its own merit. All books must be written and submitted in English.

Deadline: November 1
Categories: Fiction and nonfiction works across any genre are eligible.
Prizes: Grand Prize = £3,500 promotion award and medallion; Shortlisted Authors = £750 promotion awards and medallion; Longlisted and Category Winners = £150 promotion award and medallion.
For More Info: Book Viral Millennium Book Award

Evil Twin Manuscript Initiative

The Black List and Zando have announced the Evil Twin Manuscript Initiative, a new partnership to identify an unpublished or self-published horror novel to enter into a publishing deal with Zando imprint Evil Twin.

Zando is looking for upmarket supernatural, gothic, psychological, or any horror sub-genre that may intersect with thriller, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. Submitted manuscripts must not be under contract elsewhere.

Deadline: November 20
Categories: Manuscripts should elevate familiar themes, such as love, adventure, guilt, desire, betrayal, family, identity, and obsession among others — while exploring fresh, compelling perspectives.
Prizes: A $25,000 publishing deal with Zando imprint Evil Twin
For More Info: Evil Twin Manuscript Initiative

Feathered Quill Book Awards

An annual literary competition run by Feathered Quill Book Reviews to honor excellence in independent, self-published, and small-press publishing. The contest accepts entries across a wide-range of adult, young adult, and children's genres.

Deadline: November 30
Categories: 24 categories across a wide range of genres
Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place winners receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze designations. Honorees are given a signed official certificate and 25 embossed physical award seals.
For More Info: Feathered Quill Book Awards

Indie Ink Awards

This is not a prize authors can enter, but one in which readers can nominate their favorite indie and self-published books. Small press and self published books are no less valid because they're not sponsored by a large publication company. Many great reads go undiscovered, and the Indie Ink Awards exists as an opportunity for readers to nominate their favorite indies across all genres.

Deadline: November 30
Categories: Eligible books must be in the YA or Adult age categories; can be of any fiction genre category and be of novella or novel length.
Prizes: A combination of monetary awards, promotional bundles, and extensive marketing packages designed to uplift the books.
For More Info: Indie Ink Awards

Deadline: December

The Hawkeye Manuscript Development Prize

Emerging writers now have an exciting opportunity to take their manuscript to the next level with the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize, a competition designed to discover and develop new commercial fiction and non-fiction voices. Offering not just prize recognition to writers worldwide, but also professional editorial support and the possibility of publication, the prize provides a rare pathway from finished manuscript to a potential publishing contract with Hawkeye Publishing.

Deadline: December 1, 2026
Categories: Authors of commercial Adult, YA, Middle-Grade, Picture Book and Non-Fiction written in English can apply.
- Two Prize Categories: The Hawkeye Prize Open Category and The Hawkeye Prize – Own Voices Category
Prizes: Winners receive a trade publishing contract with Hawkeye (terms and conditions apply) plus an editing package valued at $3,500. Additionally, all manuscripts longlisted and shortlisted are announced on the website and in their newsletter.
For More Info: The Hawkeye Manuscript Development Prize

2027 Illumination Awards

The Illumination Book Awards recognizes Christian-themed books across a wide range of categories, from Bible Study and Christian Fiction to devotionals and children’s picture books. Entries are open to authors, illustrators, and self-publishers of Christian books published from 2025 to 2027.

Deadline: December 10
Categories: More than 25 categories including a wide array of options from Bible Study and Christian fiction to digital media and beyond.
Prizes: Three to five medalists per category (gold, silver, and bronze). Each medalist receives a medal, a personalized certificate, and 20 seals.
For More Info: Illumination Awards

IBPA Awards
The IBPA Book Awards (formerly the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards) are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers since 1985. The awards are unique in that the verbatim judging forms are returned to all participating publishers, providing entrants with direct feedback on each submission. All books must have a copyright date of 2026. Books with a copyright date of 2025 will not be considered.

Deadline: December 15
Categories: 50 categories can be viewed here
Prizes: One Gold and two or three Silver award winners in each category. All Gold winners receive an engraved trophy. Gold and Silver winners also receive a certificate, award stickers, and more.
For More Info: IBPA Awards

The Independent Press Award

An international book award program dedicated to recognizing and celebrating excellence in independent publishing. We honor authors, publishers, and creative professionals who demonstrate exceptional quality, originality, and passion in their work across a wide range of genres and categories. At its heart, this is about giving great books their due and broader access to the book-buying community.

Deadline: December 15
Categories: 15 categories with 184 subcategories
Prizes: Instead of cash payouts, honorees receive assets designed to increase book sales and distribution
For More Info: The Independent Press Award

Bestsellersworld Book Awards

The judging panel is comprised of BestSellers World reviewers, some of whom are authors. All are active in the literary community. All books written in English are eligible to win.

Deadline: December 15
Categories: 15 categories from humor/satire to romance to poetry
Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize winners receive a digital ward seal, a certificate, a free author page profile, and promotional listings across the platform
For More Info: Bestsellers Book Awards

Book Excellence Awards

Book Excellence is an international book marketing company dedicated to helping authors and publishers increase their credibility, visibility and book sales. Entries are accepted from self-published authors, traditionally published authors, independent presses, traditional publishers and other literary professionals. Books submitted must be written in English and must have an ISBN or ASIN.

Deadline: December 31
Categories: Find a complete list here
Prizes: One single applicant is selected across all submissions to receive the Bestseller and Publicity Grand Prize Package, which includes a dedicated strategy and marketing system and a done-for-you PR program.
For More Info: Book Excellence Awards

The BREW Book Excellence Award

The BREW Book Excellence Award celebrates storytelling across genres, from imaginative novels to thought-provoking nonfiction, and highlights both debut and established authors.

Deadline: December 31
Categories: Accepts submissions across virtually all literary genres, dividing entries into major umbrella programs that each feature their own vast selection of sub-categories
Prizes: The BREW Book Excellence Award offers recognition and benefits across its shortlisted entries, finalists, runner-ups, category winners, and overall winners. Benefits may include award-title usage rights, digital award logos, announcements, press and media coverage, interviews, and access to exclusive opportunities and resources. Eligible recipients may also join the BREW Laureate Council.
For More Info: The BREW Book Excellence Award

The Incipere Awards

The point and spirit of this award is to seek out and determine amazing and high quality content that's not only hard to put down, but clean as well. While this means something different to everyone, use this as a guide: no explicit sex scenes, and no excessive violence. All work must be in English. Books that are self-published, published by small, independent or academic presses qualify.

Deadline: December 31
Categories: Full list may be found here
Prizes: Each submission category awards a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, and Honorable Mention placement. Honored authors receive a marketing bundle designed to boost book discoverability.

For More Info: The Incipere Awards

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards is a UK-based nonprofit competition for independent, self-published, and small-press authors. Judged by each book’s target audience, entries are scored on criteria including editing, theme, writing style, cover, and illustrations, with judges grouped by age category.

Deadline: December 31
Categories: 13 categories ranging from children's books to poetry to film screenplays
Prizes: Top tier of winners are awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals, along with high-resolution digital award logos, badges, and certificates to integrate into marketing materials.
For More Info: The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

2027 Deadlines

Deadline: January

Axiom Awards

The Axiom Business Book Awards recognize the best business titles from independent and traditional publishers, authors, and illustrators. Books with a 2025, 2026, or 2027 copyright are eligible. An ISBN isn't required, and galley copies may be submitted if final copies aren't yet available. eBooks are accepted in all general categories except Audiobooks - Business, and AI use is discouraged and may affect the judges’ final decision.

Deadline: January 28
Categories: A list of the 31 categories can be found here
Prizes: Three to five medalists per category (gold, silver, and bronze) - each receives a medal, a personalized certificate, and 20 seals.
For More Info: Axiom Awards

Deadline: February

The Flash 500 Short Stories Competition

This is an open-themed competition, looking for stories ranging between 1,000 and 3,000 words, with strong characters, a well-crafted plot, and realistic dialogue (where used).

Deadline: February 2027
Categories: All genres, including those written by or for children; adult material is also acceptable providing the content fits the story and isn't gratuitous.
Prizes: First prize: £500, Second prize: £200, Third Prize: £100
For More Info: Flash 500 Short Stories Competition

Tips for Entering Book Awards Successfully

Read the guidelines carefully: Each contest has specific requirements regarding eligibility, format, submission deadlines, and entry fees.
Choose the right category: Picking the best-fitting genre category for your book increases your chances of winning.
Determine what the judges are looking for: Do your research and find out what the award judges are seeking. This could possibly help your submission stand out among others.
Submit a professionally edited book: Judges value high-quality writing and presentation.
Leverage your nomination or win: Even if you don’t win, being a finalist is an excellent marketing tool. Mention it in your author bio, website, and social media.

Winning or placing in a book contest can significantly enhance your credibility as an indie author. With so many opportunities available, there’s no reason not to submit your book and possibly gain some well-deserved recognition.