| Navigating Book Award Submissions | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 2 2015, 02:26 PM (24 Views) | |
| kingwand | Sep 2 2015, 02:26 PM Post #1 |
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Navigating Book Award Submissions When considering next steps for your title, book awards and literary competitions can play a key role in increasing credibility--and more credibility can mean more sales. But how do you choose which awards to go for? Here are some tips for finding the best fit for your book in the world of awards. Identify What You've Got Book awards are based on genre categories, and often on the intended age of your readers as well, so you will need to critically assess your title for the best match. The length of the work also determines many awards, so it is critical to observe an award's guidelines and make sure your book fits the parameters. To increase your chances of being recognized by the judges, look for competitions with the narrowest focus your book is a match for. There can be a great temptation to apply for as many book awards as you can, but bear in mind that each requires copies of your book for which you are financially liable, and spreading your efforts too thin can take away from your overall marketing strategy. Identify What They've Got One of the best indicators of an award's credibility is its age. Longevity of the competition and its sponsor can be an indicator of trustworthiness, helping you to avoid applying for awards that charge exorbitant reading fees or require excessive quantities of your book. However, that's not to say that 'younger' awards or competitions aren't worth looking into. When considering a new competition, research the background of the company or institution giving the award. Is this a business or resource that you or someone you know use? An online database, such as BookWire or Award Annals, is a great place to start, offering details on awards in many specific categories that may be appropriate for your book. Follow the Rules The most important thing to remember when submitting your book for any award is to follow the instructions exactly. Carefully read through the rules and application forms, and then read through them again. The judges receive thousands of submissions, and they can't afford to waste time on authors who haven't observed the rules of the competition. When you complete your application as instructed and submit all requested materials and documentation, you are showing the judges that you took your application seriously, and you can be taken seriously as well. Be Patient Once you have dotted your 'i's and crossed your 't's, waiting is your only recourse. Make a note of any deadlines for the competition, but at the end of the day, remember that book awards are only intended to augment a pre-established marketing strategy, not replace it. In the meantime, consider focusing on the impression you're making, your website, taking your book on a virtual tour, and pursuing reviews to round out your efforts to round up readers. https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/docs/DOC-1001 |
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