Hannah Jacobson
In this Alliance of Independent Authors post, Book Award Adviser Hannah Jacobson explains the stages of book award competitions, from longlist to winner, and how each stage presents a unique marketing opportunity. She also offers practical tips on how authors can leverage every step to build buzz and connect with readers.
Welcome to the Book Award Update for September 2024 with Hannah Jacobson from Book Award Pro.
You've poured your heart and soul into your book. Now it's time to let your work shine in the world of literary awards.
But what happens after you submit your work for consideration? Let's walk through the typical stages of book award competitions and explore how you can make the most of each step.
Keep in mind every award designation is as unique as the accolade it celebrates.
The Journey Begins: Longlists
Many book awards start with a longlist. This is the first round of selection, where your book has caught the judges' eye. Being longlisted is an achievement in itself and is typically considered an award-winning designation. It means your work stood out from dozens, and possibly even hundreds, of entries.
Story Marketing Tip: Even at this early stage, you can start building buzz for your book and sharing news to create community around your book. Use social media and your author newsletter to announce your longlisted status. Something such as “Thrilled to be longlisted for the [Award Name]!” can generate interest and support for your work.
Narrowing the Field: Shortlists
If your book makes it to the shortlist, congratulations! You're now among a select group of top contenders. Shortlists typically feature only a handful of books per category. This is yet another stage of award-winning news, and designation, to share with your readers.
Story Marketing Tip: Being shortlisted is a great opportunity to reach out to local media. Many local newspapers love to feature hometown authors achieving recognition.
The Final Stretch: Finalists
Some awards have a finalist stage between the shortlist and the final winners' announcement. If you reach this stage, you're really in the running for the top prize.
Story Marketing Tip: Update your author website and book description to include your finalist status. This can help attract new readers who are drawn to award-recognized books.
The Big Moment: Winners and Runners-Up
Finally, we reach the final winners' announcement. But remember, not all awards have a single winner. Many have different levels of top-tier recognition such as:
- Gold, Silver, and Bronze
- Winner and Honorable Mentions
- First, Second, and Third Place
- Category Winners and Overall/Grand Prize Winner
Story Marketing Tip: Whatever level of recognition you receive, celebrate it! Share the news widely, update your book cover with an award seal, and consider a special promotion to capitalize on the buzz.
Other Winning Designations
Book awards can get creative with their recognitions. You might see designations like:
– Editor's Choice
– Readers' Favorite
– Best Debut
– Rising Star
These designations are also valuable accolades that set your book apart and distinguish it among the best.
Making the Most of Every Winning Stage
Making the Most of Every Winning StageRemember, every stage of a book award competition is an opportunity to create community surrounding your book.
- Build anticipation with readers. Share updates as you progress through each stage of the award-winning process. Your readers will enjoy being part of the journey.
- Grow your professional network. Connect with other authors in your category. The book community is supportive, and these connections can be invaluable for future collaborative book promotions.
- Learn from judging feedback. Many awards provide feedback directly from the judges. Use this information to improve your craft for your next book, or to make small adjustments to your existing book (for example, if small errors have been discovered by the judges reading your work).
- Stay gracious. Whether you win or not, maintain a positive attitude and use the opportunity to grow as an author. Thank the organizers, congratulate other authors, and be proud of your your own courage to submit your book for consideration.
At Book Award Pro, we've seen countless authors leverage their award recognitions, at every stage, to grow their careers. Remember, each mention of your book in an award context is a chance to reach new readers and reinforce your credibility as an author.
So, the next time you enter a book award, keep these stages in mind. From longlist to winner, every accolade is unique, and each step is a marketing opportunity for your book. Embrace the journey, and let your story reach even more readers.
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 six 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 Centre.
