Reviewers & Contests
4RV encourages authors to enter their books for prestigious awards and reviews. Over the years, many 4RV books have been honored. This page indexes some reputable Reviewers & Contests we trust.
Industry-Recognized Book Reviewers:
Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews --
FREE review of published and unpublished (ARC and manuscripts) books in any of 150+ genres. Your review will be posted on their site with a full featured Review Page as well as on other trade and social media sites. Your review will also be indexed by search engines like Google, which recognizes their reviews and formats them with their starred rating, just like Amazon and Goodreads. All 5-star reviews receive a FREE "Five Star" digital seal for your website and a high-resolution version for your book cover. They only post 4 and 5 star reviews. If an author receives a poor review, they provide private constructive criticism to the author instead. They are asked to review for such renowned authors as James Patterson, David Baldacci and Stephanie Meyer, and are trusted by prominent publishers such as Penguin Random House, Harper Collins and Simon & Schuster. 
The Midwest Book Review -- Established in 1976, the Midwest Book Review is an organization committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. After checking out their submission guidelines for your FREE REVIEW, (basically, all you need to do is send two print copies w/ cover letter and press release to: James A. Cox; Editor-in-Chief; Midwest Book Review; 278 Orchard Drive Oregon, WI 53575). Also, visit their Advice for Writers & Publishers section. You'll find articles on writing Press Releases, Cover Letters, and more. 
Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval -- In 2020 Literary Classics put their awards program on hold. At present, the website states "CLC continues to provide free book reviews" for children's picture books and continues to recognize excellence in literature through their Seal of Approval program. However, we haven't seen any activity since they went on Covid-pause in 2020. Let us know if this changes. CLC on Twitter || CLC on Facebook |
Contest Calendar: submission & early-bird dates in green || deadlines in red
in order from top to bottom by closest deadline 
Mom's Choice Awards -- Two options between $500 & $1500 are available. Click here to choose. Fees per item entered. Multiple items discount available. Email the Help Desk for a rapid response, or visit their Contact page for more options || accepts applications year round || decisions made within 3-4 weeks || expedited process is available for $100 || More FAQs The National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) Awards -- Books published from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 are considered for the following year, books need to be received by Dec 1, 2021. Finalists for the preceding calendar year are announced in January 2022; awards are presented in March 2022. There are a lot of steps, but as far as I can tell it's free other than time and cost of books. If wrong, let me know. 
$75 Off a Traditional Review: Buy Now, Submit Later
Why Kirkus? Kirkus has reviewed the nation's top publishers' books since 1933 (Scholastic, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, more). They offer two review packages; one regularly priced at $425, on sale starting at $350, and one regularly priced $575, on sale starting at $500. The offer ends 12/17/21. NOTE: Once you place your order, you will be given directions for submitting your manuscript. Take advantage of the sale then get to work with your editor. 
The Kirkus Prize 2022 --
The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. Books reviewed by Kirkus Reviews that earned the Kirkus Star and that have original publication dates between Nov. 1, 2020, and Oct. 31, 2021, are automatically nominated for the 2021 Kirkus Prize. || Both traditionally published and self-published books reviewed by Kirkus that earn the Star are eligible.|| Books cannot be submitted just for the Kirkus Prize; eligibility for the prize begins with the process of having a book reviewed by Kirkus Reviews. || Guidelines 
Illumination Book Awards 2022 -- This contest is for Christian-themed books that were released since January 1, 2019. Submissions open: $95 + 2 books per category entry. Judging criteria include cover design, layout, etc. Authors of royalty-published books are welcome to enter their books themselves. || Guidelines || Authors and illustrators are welcome to enter. All entries must be made online or postmarked by December 30, 2021. Part of the entry fee is donated to charity. 
Firebird Book Award -- $500 cash prize. Deadline December 31, 2021 || Winners announced January 20, 2022. The initial category donation is $55. Each additional category donation is only $33. Entries support women and children in long term shelters, is tax deductible to you, and features radio promotion and author interviews as prizes 
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2022 (UK & US) -- This is a fun one. Kids books are judged by kids. Adult books are judged by reading groups. $49 or $89 (if you want feedback, catchy quote, reviews on Amazon.co.uk and Goodreads). Book must be predominantly in English and published in 2019, 2020 or 2021. Submit between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. How to Enter The Awards || Prizes || Categories || Reviews alone are also available for $99. 
2022 Oklahoma Book Awards -- * Deadline for submission is January 7, 2022 *. $25 entry fee plus six copies (HC or PB) is required for each category entered. Books must have been published between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on April 30, 2022. View the Call for Entries for more information and eligibility requirements. OWFI Writing Contest -- opens Jan 1, 2022 - deadline Feb 1, 2022 | $30 non-refundable entry fee covers as many entries as eligibility allows. Plus, $30 annual membership fee, $25 if you join as an affiliate and list Invite to Write (free) as your affiliate (students are also free). Be sure to email Vivian: subject "Invite to Write member" but in message give your name, address, phone number, and email address. 
Purple Dragonfly Book Award Entry --
2022 submissions open | early-bird entry $65 till Mar 1, 2022 | $70 per title after 03/01 * Final Deadline Tues, May 03, 2022* Book award contest exclusively for children’s books! They accept printed books, audiobooks, and eBooks. With 56 categories to choose from, winning a coveted Purple Dragonfly Book Award helps authors and illustrators alike garner instant credibility, attention from the media, and an opportunity to increase book sales. Even better, when children and parents see a Purple Dragonfly seal on your book's cover, they will know that they are reading a highly acclaimed publication. ENTER HERE! 2021's Purple Dragonfly winners, categories, and rules 
Royal Dragonfly Book Award Entry --
2022 submissions open | early-bird entry $65 till Aug 1, 2022 | $70 after 08/01 *Final Deadline Mon, Oct 03, 2022* The Royal Dragonfly Book Award contest honors excellence in all types of literature and book marketing, recognizing creativity and hard work for a comprehensive list of genres in 67 categories. Contest winners garner instant credibility, attention from the media, and an opportunity to increase book sales. ENTER HERE! 2021's Royal Dragonfly winners, categories, and rules 
Story Monsters Approved! Entry --
2022 submissions open | early-bird entry $65 till Nov 01, 2022 | $70 after 11/01 *Final Deadline Wed, Feb 01, 2023* The Story Monsters Approved! book designation program recognizes and honors authors in the field of children’s literature whose books inspire, inform, teach, or entertain. What makes this book program unique is that every book submitted is judged on its own merit. Each book competes only with itself. And since kids assist our industry experts in judging submissions, when a book earns the Story Monsters Approved! book designation, it means children are recommending the book for other children to read, too! One deserving title that is outstanding in content, readability, message, and overall production will be selected for the honor of Story Monsters Approved Book of the Year. ENTER HERE! 2021's Story Monsters Approved! winners, categories, and rules 
2022 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest -- early bird deadline - April 1, 2022 ($99) regular deadline - May 1, 2022 ($109) * Final Deadline - June 1, 2022 ($119) * If you place in their contest you will be able to add your Readers' Favorite award seal to your book and all other marketing materials as well as identify your book as an "award-winning book" and you as an "award-winning author." They accept manuscripts, published and unpublished books, eBooks, audiobooks, comic books, poetry books and short stories in 150+ genres. They do not have a word count restriction or a publication date requirement, which means it does not matter when or if your book was published. They receive thousands of entries from all over the world. Because of these large submission numbers, we are able to break down our contest into 150+ genres, and each genre is judged separately, ensuring you only compete against books of your specific genre for a fairer and more accurate competition. They receive submissions from independent authors, small publishers, and publishing giants such as Random House, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, with contestants that range from the first-time, self-published author to New York Times bestsellers like J.A. Jance, James Rollins, and #1 best-selling author Daniel Silva, as well as celebrity authors like Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty), Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek) and Henry Winkler (Happy Days). 
The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards -- Contest is open to authors, illustrators, and publishers worldwide of children’s books written in English or Spanish, that are published with a 2021 or 2022 copyright. $75 entry plus 2 copies per category. Entry deadline August 6, 2022 || Guidelines & Mailing Address 
American Book Fest 2022 Best Book Awards -- Enter Your 2020-2022 Titles! Open to all books with an ISBN and published in 2022 (galley copies welcome). 2020 and 2021 titles are also eligible. $69 per title/per category till 12-31-2021 | * Final Entry Deadline is September 30, 2022 * 
American Writing Awards -- 2022 submissions open Nov 21, 2021 | early-bird entry $29 till Dec 31, 2021 | $39 per title after 12/31 * Final Deadline Nov 6, 2022* |