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:
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Contest Calendar: submission & early-bird dates in green || final deadlines in red || scroll down for contest details, fees & links
red border, LAST CHANCE || Open entry contests posted in December
Purple Dragonfly Award
2023 submissions open early-bird till Mar 1, 2023 deadline May 2, 2023 $65 + books 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! 2022's Purple Dragonfly winners, categories, and rules
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Add-on Competition for Illustrated Books & Covers
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The Readers' Favorite Illustration Award recognizes books with quality illustrations in two ways: Award for Best Cover Illustration and Award for Best Illustrated Book. All illustration types and genres are welcome. Whether your book is a children's picture book or an Non-Fiction Memoir with an illustrated cover, if your artwork is original, created by you or an artist you hired, you can enter your book to compete for this additional award.
All entries are judged by Mark Wayne Adams (Disney and Sea World, CEO of an illustration and publishing company, former president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association).
Winners will be announced through his vast network of publishers, authors, illustrators, professionals, social followers and his smartphone app users, as well as display them on his official website.
If you would like to compete for this award, you will need to compete in the regular Award Contest as well by selecting at least one category for your book to compete in, then you will be able to add the Illustration Award ($65) option to your entry.
Mailing instructions will be in your contest entry confirmation email.
All entries are judged by Mark Wayne Adams (Disney and Sea World, CEO of an illustration and publishing company, former president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association).
Winners will be announced through his vast network of publishers, authors, illustrators, professionals, social followers and his smartphone app users, as well as display them on his official website.
If you would like to compete for this award, you will need to compete in the regular Award Contest as well by selecting at least one category for your book to compete in, then you will be able to add the Illustration Award ($65) option to your entry.
Mailing instructions will be in your contest entry confirmation email.
July:
The Willie Morris Awards
for Southern Writing
submit July 1, 2022 -
final deadline Sep 30, 2022
FREE + book
for Southern Writing
submit July 1, 2022 -
final deadline Sep 30, 2022
FREE + book
CRITERIA
HOW TO SUBMIT
- Asks readers to engage with or reflect on the complexities of the American South.
- Has a narrative that is ultimately uplifting or suggests hope or optimism.
- Stands out for originality, quality of prose and structure, sense of period, place and people.
- Comes from the perspective of an author who is an original or under-recognized voice in conversations about the South.
HOW TO SUBMIT
The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
2022 Publication Date
submit July 1 - October 31
Free + PDF
The most prestigious annual peer-juried literary prize in America! $15,000 prize
2022 Publication Date
submit July 1 - October 31
Free + PDF
The most prestigious annual peer-juried literary prize in America! $15,000 prize
ELIGIBILITY
- Books must be published in 2022., Authors must be living American permanent residents.
- Books must be published by a juried commercial, academic, or small press.
- No self-published books are accepted.
- There are no submission fees or application forms.
- Advanced reading copies or proofs are eligible for submission for books that will be published in November or December of 2022.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Please send an easy-to-read PDF of each book (without watermarks over the text of the work) to awards@penfaulkner.org for forwarding to the judges. You will receive an email confirmation from our team.
You are invited to send as many books as you like, and you are encouraged to send available books as soon as possible. Submissions may be made by publishers, authors, and literary agents.
A prize of $15,000 is given annually for a book of fiction published during the current year. Four finalists each receive $5,000. The winner and finalists will also be invited to read in Washington, D.C., in May 2023. E-mail a PDF of a short story collection, novella, or novel published in 2022 by October 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Please send an easy-to-read PDF of each book (without watermarks over the text of the work) to awards@penfaulkner.org for forwarding to the judges. You will receive an email confirmation from our team.
You are invited to send as many books as you like, and you are encouraged to send available books as soon as possible. Submissions may be made by publishers, authors, and literary agents.
A prize of $15,000 is given annually for a book of fiction published during the current year. Four finalists each receive $5,000. The winner and finalists will also be invited to read in Washington, D.C., in May 2023. E-mail a PDF of a short story collection, novella, or novel published in 2022 by October 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
August:
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Royal Dragonfly Book Award
2022 submissions open
early-bird - Aug 1, 2022
deadline Oct 3, 2022
$65 + books
2022 submissions open
early-bird - Aug 1, 2022
deadline Oct 3, 2022
$65 + books
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 (including picture books, illustration, cover design, and much more). 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
2021's Royal Dragonfly winners,
categories, and rules
November:
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Story Monsters Approved! Contest
2023 submissions open
early-bird - Nov 1, 2022
deadline Feb 1, 2023
$65 + books
2023 submissions open
early-bird - Nov 1, 2022
deadline Feb 1, 2023
$65 + books
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 winners,
categories, and rules
ENTER HERE!
2021's winners,
categories, and rules
Last Chance:
(Yeah ... I'm always last-minute, too)
January:
The Oklahoma Center for the Book in the Oklahoma Department of Libraries will honor books written / illustrated / designed by Oklahomans, and books with an Oklahoma theme, published in calendar year 2022.
Download the Call for Entries for more information and eligibility requirements.
Download the Call for Entries for more information and eligibility requirements.
February :
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$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.
prizes for
UNPUBLISHED & PUBLISHED
UNPUBLISHED & PUBLISHED
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Story Monsters Approved! Contest
2023 submissions open
early-bird - Nov 1, 2022
deadline Feb 1, 2023
$70 + books
2023 submissions open
early-bird - Nov 1, 2022
deadline Feb 1, 2023
$70 + books
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 winners,
categories, and rules
ENTER HERE!
2021's winners,
categories, and rules
April:
Who is eligible to apply?
Authors of age between 18-120 can apply. Any book of FICTION published in the 4 years prior to the competition year and any book of fiction being published in the year following the competition year. Unpublished works of fiction are also accepted.
What are the guidelines?
Authors must submit a work of FICTION--novel, novella, or short story collection--for consideration. The book must have a publication date within 4 years of the competition year and be published by an academic, commercial, or small press. Self-published books and unpublished manuscripts are also accepted. Electronic submission is the only accepted form of submission. Entries are judged based on multiple writing criteria, which include an author's story-telling ability, transitions, hooks, pacing, character development, dialogue, grammar, punctuation, and the overall impact it has on our judges. Check the entry form for more details.
Authors of age between 18-120 can apply. Any book of FICTION published in the 4 years prior to the competition year and any book of fiction being published in the year following the competition year. Unpublished works of fiction are also accepted.
What are the guidelines?
Authors must submit a work of FICTION--novel, novella, or short story collection--for consideration. The book must have a publication date within 4 years of the competition year and be published by an academic, commercial, or small press. Self-published books and unpublished manuscripts are also accepted. Electronic submission is the only accepted form of submission. Entries are judged based on multiple writing criteria, which include an author's story-telling ability, transitions, hooks, pacing, character development, dialogue, grammar, punctuation, and the overall impact it has on our judges. Check the entry form for more details.
May:
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Purple Dragonfly Award
2023 submissions open
early-bird till Mar 1, 2023
deadline May 2, 2023
$70 + books
2023 submissions open
early-bird till Mar 1, 2023
deadline May 2, 2023
$70 + books
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!
2022's Purple Dragonfly winners,
categories, and rules
ENTER HERE!
2022's Purple Dragonfly winners,
categories, and rules
June:
Readers’ Favorite Int. Book Award
Accepting entries now for 2023
early bird - April 1, 2023
deadline - June 1, 2023
$119 + PDF
($65 for up to 3 bk cats + 1 art cat)
Accepting entries now for 2023
early bird - April 1, 2023
deadline - June 1, 2023
$119 + PDF
($65 for up to 3 bk cats + 1 art cat)
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.
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Add-on Competition for Illustrated Books & Covers
|
The Readers' Favorite Illustration Award recognizes books with quality illustrations in two ways: Award for Best Cover Illustration and Award for Best Illustrated Book. All illustration types and genres are welcome. Whether your book is a children's picture book or an Non-Fiction Memoir with an illustrated cover, if your artwork is original, created by you or an artist you hired, you can enter your book to compete for this additional award.
All entries are judged by Mark Wayne Adams (Disney and Sea World, CEO of an illustration and publishing company, former president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association).
Winners will be announced through his vast network of publishers, authors, illustrators, professionals, social followers and his smartphone app users, as well as display them on his official website.
If you would like to compete for this award, you will need to compete in the regular Award Contest as well by selecting at least one category for your book to compete in, then you will be able to add the Illustration Award ($65) option to your entry.
Mailing instructions will be in your contest entry confirmation email.
All entries are judged by Mark Wayne Adams (Disney and Sea World, CEO of an illustration and publishing company, former president of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association).
Winners will be announced through his vast network of publishers, authors, illustrators, professionals, social followers and his smartphone app users, as well as display them on his official website.
If you would like to compete for this award, you will need to compete in the regular Award Contest as well by selecting at least one category for your book to compete in, then you will be able to add the Illustration Award ($65) option to your entry.
Mailing instructions will be in your contest entry confirmation email.
August:
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.
$95 entry +2 copies per category.
Entry deadline August 6, 2022
Guidelines & Mailing Address __
categories
$95 entry +2 copies per category.
Entry deadline August 6, 2022
Guidelines & Mailing Address __
categories
September:
The Willie Morris Awards
for Southern Writing
submit July 1, 2022 -
final deadline Sep 30, 2022
FREE + book
for Southern Writing
submit July 1, 2022 -
final deadline Sep 30, 2022
FREE + book
CRITERIA
HOW TO SUBMIT
- Asks readers to engage with or reflect on the complexities of the American South.
- Has a narrative that is ultimately uplifting or suggests hope or optimism.
- Stands out for originality, quality of prose and structure, sense of period, place and people.
- Comes from the perspective of an author who is an original or under-recognized voice in conversations about the South.
HOW TO SUBMIT
American Book Fest Best Book Awards
Enter Your 2020-2022 Titles!
NEW! Legacy Cats for Titles 2010-2019!
submissions start 12-31-2021
deadline Sep 30, 2022
$69 + PDF
Enter Your 2020-2022 Titles!
NEW! Legacy Cats for Titles 2010-2019!
submissions start 12-31-2021
deadline Sep 30, 2022
$69 + PDF
Welcome to The 2022 "Best Book" Awards!
Sponsored by American Book Fest based in Los Angeles & Phoenix
Over our 19-year history, thousands of self-published and indie authors have leveraged the promotional power of their International Book Award to increase online recognition, enhance their title’s credibility, and garner more attention in the crowded book buying marketplace.
OFFICAL CATEGORIES
Sponsored by American Book Fest based in Los Angeles & Phoenix
Over our 19-year history, thousands of self-published and indie authors have leveraged the promotional power of their International Book Award to increase online recognition, enhance their title’s credibility, and garner more attention in the crowded book buying marketplace.
OFFICAL CATEGORIES
October:
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Royal Dragonfly Book Award
2022 submissions open
early-bird - Aug 1, 2022
deadline Oct 3, 2022
$70 + books
2022 submissions open
early-bird - Aug 1, 2022
deadline Oct 3, 2022
$70 + books
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 (including picture books, illustration, cover design, and much more). 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
2021's Royal Dragonfly winners,
categories, and rules
Deadlines /Guidelines/ Categories
14) What is the deadline for entry?
We kindly ask that you submit books published between January 1, 2022 and July 15, 2022 by July 20, 2022. Please note that this amended first deadline is recommended rather than binding. The amended final deadline is October 17, 2022; at this time, the entry portal (including the payment mechanism) will close.
15) What if a book will not be published until after the entry deadline?
Please submit a PDF of your book in galley, page-proof or manuscript form by the final deadline if your book is scheduled to be published in the final quarter of the year and the published iteration is unavailable.
16) What if a book was published in the final quarter of 2021?
Titles published after the 2022 competition deadline (October 15, 2021) but prior to the 2023 competition window (January 1, 2022-December 31, 2022) are no longer eligible.
17) What are the entry procedures?
Complete the online entry form (including submission of the book as a PDF no larger than 300 MB) and pay non-refundable $75 entry fee by credit card no later than 5:30 p.m. EDT on October 17, 2022.
Six prizes of $15,000 each are given annually to honor books of poetry, fiction, general nonfiction, U. S. history, biography, and memoir or autobiography.
14) What is the deadline for entry?
We kindly ask that you submit books published between January 1, 2022 and July 15, 2022 by July 20, 2022. Please note that this amended first deadline is recommended rather than binding. The amended final deadline is October 17, 2022; at this time, the entry portal (including the payment mechanism) will close.
15) What if a book will not be published until after the entry deadline?
Please submit a PDF of your book in galley, page-proof or manuscript form by the final deadline if your book is scheduled to be published in the final quarter of the year and the published iteration is unavailable.
16) What if a book was published in the final quarter of 2021?
Titles published after the 2022 competition deadline (October 15, 2021) but prior to the 2023 competition window (January 1, 2022-December 31, 2022) are no longer eligible.
17) What are the entry procedures?
Complete the online entry form (including submission of the book as a PDF no larger than 300 MB) and pay non-refundable $75 entry fee by credit card no later than 5:30 p.m. EDT on October 17, 2022.
Six prizes of $15,000 each are given annually to honor books of poetry, fiction, general nonfiction, U. S. history, biography, and memoir or autobiography.
The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
2022 Publication Date
submit July 1 - October 31
Free + PDF
The most prestigious annual peer-juried literary prize in America! $15,000 prize
2022 Publication Date
submit July 1 - October 31
Free + PDF
The most prestigious annual peer-juried literary prize in America! $15,000 prize
ELIGIBILITY
- Books must be published in 2022., Authors must be living American permanent residents.
- Books must be published by a juried commercial, academic, or small press.
- No self-published books are accepted.
- There are no submission fees or application forms.
- Advanced reading copies or proofs are eligible for submission for books that will be published in November or December of 2022.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Please send an easy-to-read PDF of each book (without watermarks over the text of the work) to awards@penfaulkner.org for forwarding to the judges. You will receive an email confirmation from our team.
You are invited to send as many books as you like, and you are encouraged to send available books as soon as possible. Submissions may be made by publishers, authors, and literary agents.
A prize of $15,000 is given annually for a book of fiction published during the current year. Four finalists each receive $5,000. The winner and finalists will also be invited to read in Washington, D.C., in May 2023. E-mail a PDF of a short story collection, novella, or novel published in 2022 by October 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Please send an easy-to-read PDF of each book (without watermarks over the text of the work) to awards@penfaulkner.org for forwarding to the judges. You will receive an email confirmation from our team.
You are invited to send as many books as you like, and you are encouraged to send available books as soon as possible. Submissions may be made by publishers, authors, and literary agents.
A prize of $15,000 is given annually for a book of fiction published during the current year. Four finalists each receive $5,000. The winner and finalists will also be invited to read in Washington, D.C., in May 2023. E-mail a PDF of a short story collection, novella, or novel published in 2022 by October 31. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
November:
American Writing Awards
2022 submissions Nov 21, 2021
2020-2023 publication dates
with the exception of Legacy titles
early-bird entry - Dec 31, 2021
deadline Nov 6, 2022
$39 + PDF
2022 submissions Nov 21, 2021
2020-2023 publication dates
with the exception of Legacy titles
early-bird entry - Dec 31, 2021
deadline Nov 6, 2022
$39 + PDF
Why the American Writing Awards?
The American Writing Awards offers a low-cost entry fee and electronic submission--no need to pay for printing or shipping costs.
Books can be entered into multiple categories for increased odds of winning. A full list of categories can be found on page 3 of the entry form.
Announcements of winners are made to public libraries, booksellers, and our multiple media channels, including newspaper publications, Facebook, and more.
Winners and Finalists will be announced on November 20, 2022.
Published title entries must have a 2020-2023 publication date--with the exception of Legacy titles--and be published in English.
Galley copies, unpublished manuscripts, and entries prior to publication are also welcome.
ALL ENTRIES ARE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
E-mail a copy of your filled-out entry form as well as a PDF copy of your book. Make sure to include the cover. A full list of categories can be found below or on page two of the entry form.
“info@americanwritingawards.com”
Attach a past Press Release or Marketing Material for each title (if available).
Include your e-mail address that was used to process your entry fee payment online (page one of the entry form).
The American Writing Awards offers a low-cost entry fee and electronic submission--no need to pay for printing or shipping costs.
Books can be entered into multiple categories for increased odds of winning. A full list of categories can be found on page 3 of the entry form.
Announcements of winners are made to public libraries, booksellers, and our multiple media channels, including newspaper publications, Facebook, and more.
Winners and Finalists will be announced on November 20, 2022.
Published title entries must have a 2020-2023 publication date--with the exception of Legacy titles--and be published in English.
Galley copies, unpublished manuscripts, and entries prior to publication are also welcome.
ALL ENTRIES ARE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
E-mail a copy of your filled-out entry form as well as a PDF copy of your book. Make sure to include the cover. A full list of categories can be found below or on page two of the entry form.
“info@americanwritingawards.com”
Attach a past Press Release or Marketing Material for each title (if available).
Include your e-mail address that was used to process your entry fee payment online (page one of the entry form).