by Nancy I. Sanders, Contributing Editor
If you’ve got a brand new book coming out this year, now is the perfect time to start submitting it for awards, even if it’s not yet published.
Several years ago, I was getting ready to prepare to submit my newest book for awards, Frederick Douglass for Kids.
Two years before that, I spent time submitting my other book in the same series for awards, America’s Black Founders.
I worked with my publicist at my publishing house and basically, here’s the plan we came up with:
1. Prepare a budget for awards submissions.
Be sure to include the cost of your book, postage and envelope to mail it in, and the price for submissions.
If working with a publisher, find out if they have a budget for awards, too.
Many do.
2. Make a list of places to submit your book to for awards.
Note the cost for submission and the qualifications for the award (Some only award picture books, some only award novels, etc.).
3. Be sure to include places that don’t necessarily offer an award, but honor your book by including it on their list of recommended reads.
For instance the state reading lists.
Here’s a link to my blog to learn more about submitting your book to state reading lists.
4. Make a calendar.
The calendar notes the deadlines for each place you’re submitting your book.
5. Start submitting.
Especially submit to award sites that are free.
The philosophy of the publicists I’ve worked with has been:
Don’t worry about whether your book wins the award or not.
Submit if it’s within your budget for one main reason: EXPOSURE.
When you submit your book for an award, it lands in the hands of judges, many who are important folks in their circle of literary influence.
My publicists have even submitted my books for the Caldecott and Newbery awards and even for the Pulitzer Prize (a national book award) solely for exposure!
Some of the awards are free to submit to.
Others carry a more hefty price tag such as the Mom’s Choice Award, which costs from $500 to $1,500.
One other thought…rather than aim for expensive book awards, such as the Mom’s Choice Award, if it’s too far above your budget, consider contacting several mom bloggers who have a couple hundred of followers each.
Offer to give them a free copy of your book if they’ll review it on their site.
I have one independent publisher who likes this approach and it has earned them thousands of dollars of sales of my books and great exposure…for a much more reasonable cost!
Awards are time-sensitive.
Make sure you start planning early so your book has the best chance it can have to win the awards it deserves.
Read more Book Award Reviews here.
About Nancy I. Sanders
Bestselling and award-winning children’s author of over 80 books, Nancy I. Sanders wants to help you experience success writing for kids! It’s hard work, yes, but it’s also lots of fun and very, very rewarding. Learn tips of the trade and secrets of success in her Yes! You Can series of how-to books for children’s writers, available at amazon.com.
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