In this Alliance of Independent Authors post, Book Award Adviser Hannah Jacobson debunks the myth that great books automatically win awards, urging indie authors to take an active role in seeking recognition.
Hannah Jacobson
This is the final post in our six-part series addressing common misconceptions about book awards for independent and self-published authors.
Here's perhaps the most harmful book award myth of all: that exceptional books naturally attract award recognition without any effort from the author. This passive approach has kept countless deserving indie authors on the sidelines, waiting for opportunities that will never come knocking on their door.
The Reality: Awards Require Action
Book awards don't operate like talent scouts searching for hidden gems. They function more like job applications where you must actively seek them out, meet their requirements, and submit your work for consideration. Even the most brilliant novel sitting quietly on Amazon or in a small bookstore won't magically appear on award committees' desks.
This isn't a reflection of your book's quality or your worth as an author. It's simply how the awards ecosystem works. Publishers with large marketing budgets understand this, which is why they dedicate significant resources to award submissions. They employ staff members whose job it is to research suitable awards, prepare compelling submissions, and manage the entire process from start to finish.
As an independent author, you need to become your own advocate and marketing team. This means taking on responsibilities that traditional publishers handle automatically. You'll research which awards accept your type of book, gather the required materials, write compelling submission letters, and follow up appropriately. While this might seem overwhelming at first, it also gives you complete control over your award strategy.
The good news is that many award organizations have recognized the growing importance of independent publishing. They've streamlined their submission processes, clarified their guidelines, and made their requirements more accessible to individual authors rather than just large publishing houses.
The Landscape Is Constantly Evolving
One of the most encouraging aspects of today's awards landscape is how rapidly it's changing. New competitions launch regularly, existing awards modify their criteria, and many organizations are actively working to become more inclusive of independent publishers and self-published authors.
What this means for you is that award opportunities are always shifting. An award that might not have accepted indie submissions five years ago could now be actively welcoming them.
Categories expand, regional competitions emerge, and genre-specific awards multiply. The key is staying informed and checking back regularly with competitions that interest you.
Understanding Entry Requirements and Costs
Before diving into award submissions, it's important to understand what's typically required. Most awards ask for physical copies of your book, an entry fee, and a completed application form.
Reading the eligibility requirements carefully is crucial. Some awards only accept books published within a specific timeframe, while others have restrictions on previous submissions or geographic limitations. Many competitions now accept self-published works, but they may have different categories or judging criteria compared to traditionally published entries.
Your Action Plan Starts Now
Begin by researching awards that match your book's genre, your publishing method, and your location. Make sure to track deadlines, entry fees, and requirements in whatever way works best for you. Many awards announce their submission periods months in advance, giving you time to prepare strong applications.
Don't let perfectionism paralyze you. Your book doesn't need to be flawless to be award-worthy but rather needs to be the best version of itself that you can create. Start with one or two competitions that genuinely excite you, rather than trying to enter everything at once.
The Power Is in Your Hands
As an independent author, you have something traditional publishers often lack: complete control over your submission strategy. You can choose awards that align with your values, target competitions where your book has the strongest chance, and build relationships within the literary community on your own terms.
Your book has already overcome tremendous odds simply by existing. Now it's time to give it the recognition it deserves. The awards are out there, waiting for authors brave enough to step forward and claim their place in the conversation.
The only question left is: which award will you enter first?
About Hannah Jacobson, ALLi Awards & Story Marketing Adviser
Hannah Jacobson is the founder of Book Award Pro: the company that leads the industry in helping authors find the perfect reviews and awards for their books.
Book Award Pro is the industry expert on accolades, operating the world's largest database of legitimate reviews and awards. Every year, authors spanning 6 continents win thousands of new awards, receive valuable reviews, and market their books in one easy-to-use platform.
Book Award Pro has been a trusted ALLi Partner Member since 2020. Hannah is the ALLi advisor for awards and story marketing, and contributes to ALLi resources including the Book Award & Contest Ratings page, Book Prizes & Awards for Indie Authors guidebook, and the Ultimate Guide to Winning Book Awards.
Begin your award-winning journey for free or connect with Hannah and Book Award Pro on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
Find out more
For more information on applying for book awards that are open to indie authors, you can purchase our short guide, available in multiple formats on our bookstore: Book Prizes & Awards for Indie Authors.
Members enjoy free access to the ebook.
Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-publishing issue?
If you’re an ALLi member, head over to the SelfPubConnect forum for support from our experienced community of indie authors, advisors, and our own ALLi team. Simply create an account (if you haven’t already) to request to join the forum and get going.
Non-members looking for more information can search our extensive archive of blog posts and podcast episodes packed with tips and advice at ALLi's Self-Publishing Advice Center.
There is no award I can find for literature written by a disabled author with disabled characters.
Apart from the fact that it might attract people writing ‘inspiration porn’, the disabled/chronically ill experience is often written by people who do not have a first hand experience of the disability or illness they write about – and can’t expect to get it right.
The UK has one minor award with very limiting submission constraints; it isn’t open to outside writers.
Since TWENTY PERCENT of the adult population is disabled or has a chronic illness, this is a major oversight.
And it should take into account that the disabled authors are often much slower, and have trouble with deadlines meant for more agile, able-bodied authors (such as applying for an award ONLY in the year it was published).
ALLI is the kind or organization which, if it doesn’t want to create, fund, and manage an award like that, might at least encourage one to come into existence.