Hannah Jacobson
In this Alliance of Independent Authors post, Book Award Adviser Hannah Jacobson explains whether indie authors can resubmit a book for an award after a prior nomination, exploring when it might be worthwhile.
Welcome to the Book Award Update for September 2024 with Hannah Jacobson from Book Award Pro.
Independent authors often have questions about the rules and best practices around literary awards and re-submissions: whether you can resubmit a book that was previously nominated, but did not win.
The answer to this question depends on the specific award and its unique guidelines. Some prestigious literary accolades permit authors to resubmit nominated books in future years, while other programs have policies against this practice.
Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of resubmitting a previously nominated work and what that looks like for your book.
Resubmitting Nominated Books: The Pros and Cons
Pros
There are a few potential benefits to resubmitting a book that was previously nominated but did not win:- You've already made it through the initial screening process, so you know your book meets the award's basic eligibility requirements. This gives you a leg up compared to brand new submissions.
- The judges have already read and evaluated your book once. While they may not remember the specific details, they at least have some familiarity with your work.
- If you've made revisions or improvements to the book since the initial nomination, you have a chance to showcase those changes.
- Persistence can pay off. Your book might have been in the final rounds of consideration in the previous award cycle, and presenting it again could be what it takes to resonate with the judging panel.
There are a few potential benefits to resubmitting a book that was previously nominated but did not win:Cons
- However, there are also some potential downsides to resubmitting your work for consideration:
- With thousands of other accolade opportunities available, it may not be the best financial investment to resubmit to an award program in which your book did not place.
- The judges may feel they've already made their decision, especially if the book hasn't changed significantly.
- Your book will be competing against brand new submissions that the judges haven't seen before. This can make it harder to stand out.
- Resubmitting the same book year after year could be seen as pestering the organizers, which may hurt your chances.
- If the award only allows a certain number of submissions per author, using one of those slots on a previously nominated book may not be the best strategy.
How to Approach Resubmitting a Nominated Book
So, if the award you're interested in does allow resubmissions, how should you go about it? Here are a few tips:
Carefully review the award's rules and guidelines. Make sure you fully understand their policies around resubmissions. If the award limits the number of submissions per author, be strategic about when you use that slot on a resubmission versus a brand new book.
Consider what changes or improvements you've made to the book since the initial nomination. Emphasize these in your new submission.
Reach out to the award organizers and politely inquire about their views on resubmissions. They may be able to provide insights that aren't covered in the public guidelines.
Don't just resubmit the exact same materials. Take the time to review and refresh your entry, cover letter, author bio, etc.
Key Considerations
Resubmitting a previously nominated book can be a strategic move for your author career, but it requires thoughtful execution.
Make sure you fully review the award's specific policies on resubmissions – some programs welcome encore entries, while others prohibit this practice. If the door is open to your entry, make sure to highlight any meaningful revisions or enhancements you've made to the work since its initial nomination.
Present your book in the most compelling light possible, drawing attention to why it deserves recognition this time around. With the right strategic approach, you may just clinch that coveted literary prize.
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.
