Tag: Book Awards

Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

Foreword Book Award Deadline Fast Approaching

ForeWord’s Book of the Year Awards 2013 is currently accepting entries for independently published books published in 2013. This includes self-published, university press, and POD books. All entries must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2014, but applicants are encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible.

Eligibility

Any independently published titles in any format—including eBooks—published in 2013. New editions of previously issued books are eligible with newly issued ISBNs. Books that are postmarked after the deadline will not be eligible.

Why Enter

Book contests are a great way for self-published authors to build their credibility and promote their book. ForeWord’s Book of the Year Awards were established to bring increased attention from librarians and booksellers to the literary achievements of independent publishers and their authors. A jury of readers, librarians and booksellers select their top categories as well as choose the winning titles. Their decisions take into consideration editorial excellence, professional production, originality of the narrative, author credentials relative to the book, and the value the title adds to its genre.

With the holidays right around the corner, it is easy to get distracted and run out of time, so it is a good idea to submit your entry now so you don’t forget and miss the January deadline. For more information on how to enter, visit https://www.forewordreviews.com/services/book-awards/botya/.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

2013 Book Award Season

It’s that time of year again. No, I’m not talking about the holidays. I’m talking about book award season, one of the most exciting times of year for self-published authors.

Over the next couple months, some of the most popular book award programs will be accepting submissions for books self-published in 2013. Here is an overview of some of the upcoming awards.

Reader Views: December 1, 2013

Works published by major book publishers are not eligible. Books must have 2013 copyright date. Authors are encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible but postmarked no later than December 1, 2013. To learn more, visit http://readerviews.com/literaryawards/.

Ben Franklin Book Award: December 31, 2013

The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, which include fifty-five categories recognizing excellence in book editorial and design, are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers.Any books submitted with copyright dates other than 2013 must be accompanied with proof of initial distribution  in the year 2013. The deadline is December 31, 2013. To learn more, visit http://ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com/.

ForeWord Book Award: January 15, 2014

Any independently published titles in any format—including eBooks—published in 2013 are eligible. New editions of previously issued books are eligible with newly issued ISBNs. Submissions must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2014. To learn more, visit https://www.forewordreviews.com/services/book-awards/botya/.

I’d love to know, which contests are you submitting your book to this book award season?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Jodee Speaks

The Importance of Book Award Programs

Whether you self-publish or use a traditional publisher, there is a lot of competition in the publishing industry. Thanks to e-readers and online book retailers, readers easily have access to thousands of books. Plus, readers also encounter hundreds of books every time they visit a bookstore or other retailer that sells books.

There are several ways to make your self-published book stand out. One of the best ways to do so is entering (and winning) book award programs. These programs increase an author’s credibility and exposure in several ways:

1) Adding an award to your resume/biography instantly increases your credibility.

2) The programs often help market your book by featuring it in publications, on their website, in a press release, and more.

3) The award badge can be added to your book cover. Be honest, how many times have you picked up a book because you saw an award badge on the cover? It instantly tells the reader the book is worth buying.

If you plan on entering book award programs, it is important that you purchase plenty of author copies to send with your submissions.

I’d love to know, what is your book award strategy?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps, publishing consultants and marketing professionals; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams and on assisting authors with marketing and promoting their book once published. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Kelly Speaks

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards for Self-Published Authors

Contests are a great way for self-publishing authors to improve their credibility and get their books recognized. A contest worth checking out is the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards. It is one of the highest national honors for independent publishers.

The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards include fifty-five categories recognizing excellence in book editorial and design. The Awards are administered by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), with help from over 160 book publishing professionals including librarians, bookstore owners, reviewers, designers, publicity managers, and editors. The Benjamin Franklin Awards are unique in that the entrants receive direct feedback on their titles. The actual judging forms are returned to all participating publishers.

The first deadline is September 30, 2013, for titles published January 1 – August 31, 2013. The next deadline is December 31, 2013, for titles published September 1 – December 31, 2013. However, all titles carrying a 2013 copyright date will be accepted in the December 2013 Call for Entry.

To learn more about the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, visit http://ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com/.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Book Marketing, Kelly Speaks

5 Ways to Promote Your Book in November

Halloween is over and holiday shopping has begun!  During the hustle and bustle of all of the holidays events, don’t miss out on any opportunities to market your book.  Here are five easy ways to promote your book this month:

  1. Make sure you have business cards with your book cover image ready to hand out at all of your holiday events this year.
  2. Many book award deadlines are approaching fast. Make sure you have plenty of copies on hand to send out to the award competitions you want to enter.  Winning awards will increase the exposure for your book.
  3. One upcoming book award deadline is for the Reader Views Literary book awards is Friday, December 15th. Another upcoming deadline is for the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, December 31st.  Visit their websites now to find out if your book is eligible and submit your book before you get caught up in holiday activities.
  4. Offer a Black Friday deal on your book.  Visit http://www.couponsnapshot.com/ to get a promotion coupon for your book.
  5. Visit the website for National Novel Writing Month (NanoWriMo) to find out about events in your area during the month of November.  At NaNoWriMo you can write a novel (in a month!), network and get support from other writers.

DISCUSSION: How are you planning to promote YOUR book this month?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT:
Kelly Schuknecht works as the Vice President of Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.