In this Alliance of Independent Authors post, Book Award Adviser Hannah Jacobson explains why there’s no single “award season” for books and how authors can take advantage of year-round opportunities to gain recognition.
Hannah Jacobson
Continuing our series on book award misconceptions for independent and self-published authors
If you've been waiting for the “right time” to submit your book for awards, today's revelation might be just what you need. Book awards don't follow a single seasonal calendar. Let's explore why the perfect time to pursue recognition for your work might be right now, regardless of the month on your calendar.
The Myth of the “Award Season”
One of the most persistent misconceptions I encounter when speaking with independent authors is the belief that book awards operate like the Oscars or Grammys with a single “award season” each year. Many writers assume they've missed their window of opportunity if they didn't submit their book during a particular month or quarter.
The reality? Book awards are available year-round.
Unlike the concentrated film awards season, the book award landscape operates on a continuous cycle with deadlines scattered throughout the calendar. This creates ongoing opportunities for authors at any stage of their publishing journey.
The Year-Round Award Landscape
The book award landscape is incredibly diverse, with thousands of competitions operating on different schedules throughout the calendar year. At any given month, you'll find submission windows open for various awards.
A quick review of submission deadlines reflects this variety:
- Some awards operate on a quarterly basis, reviewing books every three months
- Others maintain rolling submissions, allowing authors to enter whenever their book is ready
- Many independent author-focused awards intentionally spread their deadlines throughout the year
- Specialized awards for specific genres or formats maintain their own unique calendars
This distribution creates a continuous cycle of opportunities for authors to consider, regardless of when your book was published or what stage you're at in your publishing journey.
The key takeaway is that there's no single “right time” to submit your book for awards consideration. With proper research, you'll discover relevant opportunities available any month of the year.
Strategic Submission Planning
With year-round opportunities available, independent authors can develop thoughtful submission strategies that get results. The most successful authors view award submissions as an ongoing part of their publishing strategy, rather than a one-time event.
Budget for entry fees throughout the year rather than facing them all at once, and be sure to prioritize awards with the best alignment to your book's strengths and your marketing goals.
The continuous nature of book awards means you're never truly too late to begin pursuing recognition for your work. A book published years ago might still qualify for certain awards, while your newest release opens up fresh opportunities.
In our next installment, we'll tackle another common misconception. Until then, take time to research upcoming award deadlines and put your book forward for consideration. There's always an award opportunity waiting just around the corner.
About Hannah Jacobson, ALLi Awards & Story Marketing Advisor
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.
