Are you considering submitting your work to contests and award programs this year? Whether you’re aiming for a major prize, recognition within a specific genre, or simply increased visibility for your book, these accolades can be powerful tools for strengthening your credibility as an author. It takes courage to share your work in this way, and the time and care you’ve invested in your manuscript merit that opportunity.To give yourself the strongest possible shot, you’ll want to make sure you’ve met every detail of each program’s entry requirements before you hit Submit. The checklist below is designed to help you do exactly that. While it can’t guarantee a win, it will help you confidently confirm that you’ve done everything you can to prepare your book and your submission materials.
Find out which contests and awards are right for you:
Eligibility & Timing
If you're unsure about your eligibility for a particular contest or award, never make assumptions. Read the fine print on the organization's website, double-check their FAQs, and reach out to the organizers directly with questions. Before you invest your time and money into entering, be sure you'll have some form of written confirmation that your book qualifies.
Confirm the following:
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- Your publication date falls within the award’s eligibility window
- The format of your book is accepted (ebook, print, audiobook, etc.)
- Entries from self-published authors are specifically permitted
- All ISBN requirements are met
- All entry deadlines (early, regular, final) are noted and on your calendar
- Finally, make sure you're not exceeding category or title limits per contest
Manuscript & Content Quality
Awards judges will notice any sloppiness or lack of polish right away. Typos, uneven formatting, incomplete back matter, or any detail that makes your book feel unfinished can count against you long before judges have a chance to evaluate your story.
Confirm the following:
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- You're submitting your final manuscript (with no placeholders or "draft" notes still included)
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- All back matter is complete and purposeful (including newsletter CTA, list of your other titles, and author bio)
Cover & Metadata Readiness
Metadata is extremely important, and if yours is poor, it can disqualify an otherwise strong book before judges even start to read it. Incomplete or inaccurate information, such as missing ISBNs or the wrong categories, can make your book hard to find, hard to verify, or simply look unprofessional next to other entries.
Confirm the following:
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- Your cover should be genre-appropriate and professionally designed
- Title, subtitle, and series information should be consistent across platforms
- Ensure that your book description is clear, compelling, and free of errors
- All keywords and BISAC categories should be accurate
- Your author name should be consistent everywhere, with no variations
Category Strategy
Judges penalize miscategorized entries, and in some cases they may even disqualify them outright, as poor category fit signals that the author doesn’t understand their own market or hasn’t respected the award’s guidelines.
Confirm the following:
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- You've selected the most precise category for your entry, not the broadest
- Your subgenre aligns with how both readers and retailers would categorize your book
- You’ve reviewed past winners and finalists to confirm that your book truly belongs in this category (in tone, subgenre, and target audience)
- You're not "category shopping" just to avoid competition
Submission Materials
Don't rush this step—errors here are common, and a small oversight (like a missing attachment, incorrect file format, or inconsistent title information) can undo a lot of careful work. Take the time to review every field, line, and upload before you move on.
Confirm the following:
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- You've prepared the correct file type (PDF, EPUB, etc.)
- The required number of copies are accounted for
- Both long and short versions of your author bio are included, and written in third person
- Your publisher imprint is listed correctly (even if it's your own)
- All entry form answers are completed, accurate, and consistent
Branding & Credibility
Judges may visit your author website, search your name on retail and library platforms, or skim your social media to see how professionally you’re presenting your work. Consider your online presence to be a part of your submission: a cohesive author brand reinforces your book's quality and signals that you're serious, organized, and ready for the visibility that comes with an award.
Confirm the following:
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- Your author website is live, professional, and free of broken links
- The landing page for your book functions properly
- Your online media or press kit is up-to-date
- Any book reviews or blurbs on your site are accurate and verifiable
Budget & ROI Check
Not all awards are worth the fee. Be selective and realistic about what each program can do for your book and long-term brand. Prioritize contests with recognizable judges or sponsors, clear distribution or publicity benefits, and a proven record of real visibility for past winners. If you can’t quickly see who the award serves, how winners are promoted, or why readers and booksellers should care about that seal, it’s probably not the right investment.
Confirm the following:
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- All entry fees fit within your marketing budget
- What you actually gain from entering/winning is understood (badge, exposure, cash)
- You're not entering low-value contests with no clear benefit for your brand
- Shipping costs (if required) are factored into your total budget
Post-Submission Plan
Though often overlooked, this step is where you can turn a one-time win into long-term momentum for your author brand. Before results are even announced, map out how you’ll refresh your book description, retailer pages, author website, social channels, and media kit, and how you’ll share the news with your email list, booksellers, and librarians once you have something to announce.
Plan for the following:
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- Winner/finalist assets will be added to all of your book listings immediately
- Have your newsletter and social media announcements drafted in advance
- Plan the placement of any badges on your website
- Prepare to update your media/press kit if you place or win
Record-Keeping
In order to prevent wasted money and repeat mistakes, this step is crucial. It also gives you a clearer picture of which awards and categories are actually serving your long-term publishing strategy.
Be sure to:
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- Save all submission confirmations and correspondence
- Track and follow up on all deadline dates and results
- Document the categories you've entered for future reference
Hopefully this list will help you plan and confidently submit your work to contests and awards this year.
Remember, awards aren’t a measure of your value as a writer; they’re simply one more marketing tool in your overall visibility strategy. Think of them as a way to amplify what you’ve already built, not as the final verdict on your talent or the quality of your book. Enter only when your book, branding, and platform feel ready to support—and really showcase—the credibility you’re aiming for.
