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The Top 10 Awards for Indie Authors

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As we sipped cocktails tonight brainstorming work stuff, planning events for the fall (one we’re especially excited about), and discussing our wonderful Wise Ink readers, it crossed our mind we haven’t yet tackled one of our favorite resources for authors. Awards.

 

We’ve witnessed doors open for authors because they took the time to apply for awards. It’s quite simple: awards raise your cred.

 

A sticker on your book, “award-winning author” before your name, and a list of the awards your book has won all leave a powerful impression in your readers’ minds. Check out this impressive list of awards on indie author Ken Thurber’s website.

 

With all of the time that goes into marketing, applying for awards is something that should be added to your to-do list. Sure there are readers who won’t care either way. But there are booksellers, media, and conference organizers that do.

 

We know from experience that there are awards that you should steer clear of. Avoid awards that are brand new, where every entry is a “finalist” for instance. One award we researched and almost recommended didn’t make the list b/c it was clearly a funnel to attract authors for other services.

 

Here are our favorite awards for indie authors that have proved legit, with entry fees that aren’t ridiculous and that are respected in the publishing industry:

 

1. IPPY Award

2. National Indie Excellence Award

3. Foreword Magazine Award

4. Ben Franklin Award

5. Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Award

6. Mom’s Choice Award (for indie children’s books authors)

7. Reader Views Award

8. The Nautilus Book Award

9. The Next Generation Indie Book Award

10. Axiom Business Book Award

 

 

And…

 

We’re digging the coolness of Joel Friendlander’s E-Book Cover Design Awards. Check it out here. He posts winners monthly and as it says on his site, it’s worth checking out just to check out the range of design and ideas other authors came up with.

 


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  2. Hi,

    We invite you to check out the IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDAs), where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.

    With the rush by traditional publishers to sign them and their noteworthy bestselling status, there’s no longer much doubt that indie authors can be both commercially and creatively successful. All that was left to do was create a credible vehicle by which to find them. That’s where the IRDAs come in.

    What makes the IRDA’s so unique is their extraordinary panel of judges, including top agents, traditional publishers, PR people, bloggers, and book reviewers–virtually a who’s who of some of the most important people in publishing today.

    You can find further info here…http://indiereader.com/the-indiereader-discovery-awards-welcome/ .

    Best,
    Amy
    IndieReader

  3. Hi Amy,

    We’re huge fans of indie reader! I’m so glad you posted this information. We didn’t know the panel of judges were such a unique combination of folks in the publishing biz. Appreciate the comment and IndieReader’s support!

  5. Thanks for this article! It is helpful for a first time author. My question is, what if you win several of these? I have won three of the ones you have listed so far, and I don’t want a book filled with stickers!

    How do I choose which sticker to order and use?

    thanks again!

  6. As an editor, I’m often asked about book contests. I tell writers to avoid contests where winners are required to buy something, or even contests where there is some product (like a collection of winning entries) being marketed to winners and contestants.

    Winners of the Foreword Reviews’ “Indiefab” awards have to pay to use the award logo. The “electronic imprint” costs $99 but that is “free” for anyone who buys at least $100 worth of award stickers.

    This seems like a very strange marketing approach. Why wouldn’t the contest operators want to do everything they could to boost their profile? It sounds like this contest is in the business of selling things to authors.

    Gordon

  8. How about not having to pay an entry fee to enter. IPPY even I did win I still paid a fee!

  9. How about not having to pay an entry fee to enter. IPPY even if I did win I still paid a fee!

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