Book Awards Are a Powerful Way to Boost Your
Book’s Visibility

Aloha Reader,

At Aloha Publishing, we know the right book award can open doors by boosting credibility, catching media attention, or simply celebrating all your hard work. This fall, several prestigious awards are accepting submissions. We’ve rounded up five you may want to consider:

PEN Literary Awards (PEN America)

Deadline: November 25, 2025
One of the nation’s most prestigious literary honors, recognizing excellence across multiple genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. Winning or even being longlisted for a PEN award places your work alongside some of the most respected voices in literature.
​Submit here​

North American Book Awards

Deadline: October 1, 2025
Open to books in a variety of genres that were published between 2021–2025 (including ARCs within 120 days of release). Winners receive medals, digital seals, and publicity across websites and social media channels.
​Submit here​

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Book Awards

Submission Window: October 1 – December 15, 2025
A respected award option for indie publishers, with 60+ genre and community categories. Recognizes excellence in editorial and design as well as storytelling. Books must carry a 2025 copyright.
​Submit here​

Anisfield-Wolf Book Award

Deadline: December 31, 2025
Celebrates works that deepen our understanding of racism and cultural diversity. Eligible titles include fiction, poetry, memoir/autobiography, and general nonfiction published in 2025.
​Submit here​

Nonfiction Book Awards

Submission: Open year-round
Honors self-published and traditionally published nonfiction in print or ebook formats. Titles are individually evaluated and awarded bronze, silver, or gold recognition based on merit.
​Submit here​

Submitting to one (or more!) of these awards can be a powerful step for your book. Beyond the honor itself, recognition often gives authors new reasons to talk about their work, helps connect books to wider audiences through award-specific publicity, and creates lasting credibility that can support speaking engagements, book sales, and future projects.

So if you’ve been waiting for the right moment, this fall could be the perfect time to put your book in the spotlight.

With Aloha,
​The Aloha Publishing Team