It’s a fact. Awards grant instant credibility and influence book sellers and buyers alike!

Become an award-winning author! Children's book awards grab the attention of bookstores, publishers, libraries and readers, which can translate into more popularity and increased sales. If you place in the Readers' Favorite contest you will be able to add your Readers' Favorite award seal to your book cover and all other marketing materials as well as identify your book as an "award-winning book" and you as an "award-winning children's book author."

Book Award Contest Features

• Chance to be represented by a leading literary management company.
• Chance to be published by an award winning traditional publisher.
• Chance to win one of $100,000 in prizes just for entering.
• Chance to have your book made into a movie or TV show.
• Chance to be represented by a leading author marketing and PR firm.
• Additional award competition for illustrated books.
• More features including a book review, award ceremony, and publicity.

When you purchase something or sign up for a contest using the links on this site, we may receive a small commission paid to us by the affiliate at zero cost to you. 

Where to Display Your Award
Add it to your Amazon author profile or about page on your website. Let people know you are an award winning author.
Add it into your book's description. Let people know that your book was good enough to win an award. This will increase the likelihood that someone will want to buy your book.
Include or mention it wherever you share your author bio. This could include your LinkedIn profile, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or website.

What is a Book Award Contest?

A book award contest is a prestigious competition that thousands of aspiring authors enter into for the chance to win a coveted award that they can display on the cover of their book. It can be as famous as the Newbery or Caldecott awards or one like the Readers’ Favorite, which is geared more towards the self-publishing authors across over 150 categories. Book award contests are great for new or experienced authors to win prizes, get recognition, and improve their chances at getting a major book deal or seeing their book in major stores. Award-winning authors tend to be more successful when it comes to finding a literary agent, getting a publisher, and selling more books.

Are Children’s Book Awards Worth It?​

​Awards can be very important in children's books. They tell publishers, writers, illustrators, and customers what is considered to be the best quality book. The most prestigious awards not only bestow honors with their shiny new award decal, but will gain increased sales from both libraries and bookstores. Book awards are not only a wonderful honor for a children's book author (and publisher), but for self-published and traditionally published books alike, they can also stir up media/news attention, tap into new audiences, support promotional efforts, and boost sales.

​What is the Purpose of Children’s Book Awards?

​Winning a book award brings much personal satisfaction to self-published authors in addition to the credibility and prestige it brings the book. In addition, a book award opens doors of new opportunities for publicity and sales. The main purpose is to distinguish your book ahead of the others. To show people that your hard work paid off. If someone is deciding on which children’s book to buy for their niece or nephew and one of the books has won an award and the other doesn’t, which book do you think they’ll choose?

What Makes a Children’s Book Award Winning?

​Most children’s book awards look for quality book production (editing, spelling, grammar, illustrations and cover design), a unique story, and an overall enjoyable reading experience. Additionally, consider the reading experience of your book in its entirety. Does your children’s book stand out from the others? Is it an instant classic? Do children and adults love it? 

Are Children’s Literary Awards Important?

​Children’s literary awards are hugely important in today's publishing world. Booksellers and publishing companies have been quick to capitalize on the publicity generated by awards such as the Readers’ Favorite Children’s Book Award Contest.

Do Self-published Books Win Awards?

​Absolutely! Many of the books submitted in the Readers’ Favorite contest are from self-published authors. AND, many of them are winners! There is no doubt that a self-published book award can add credibility to your book project. The award itself validates your talent as a writer and can directly relate to increased book sales. The benefits of winning a self-published children’s book award reach far beyond that. There is even more reason to submit to a book contest when it is your very first book. Readers are always on the hunt for the next great author and will purposely seek out award-winning books by new authors. The amount of new books being published each year is staggering. The odds of a self published book succeeding in today’s market is very low. Winning an award can be that one thing that sets you apart from the thousands of other children's books. 

What are the Best Children’s Book Award Contests?

There are so many children’s book contests out there today. Google has made it pretty easy to research all the different top ones out there. We have chosen to partner with Readers’ Favorite because they make it so easy for self-publishers to submit their book. Just go to the book award contest page and scroll all the way to the bottom to submit your children’s book. Due to their large submission numbers, they break down the contest into 150+ genres, where each genre is judged separately, ensuring you only compete against books of your particular genre for a more fair and accurate competition. They offer up to 5 award levels in each category: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Honorable Mention and Award Finalist.

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