Book Awards & Book Blogger Awards

Awards are of interest to both children’s writers and book buyers. A book that has won an award can increase its appeal to book buyers. A book blog site’s credibility can be strengthened by an award.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/playfullibrarian/4076863150/

The rules of organizations offering book awards vary considerably: Writers need to note that some contests do not accept submissions from authors, some don’t accept self-published submissions, some only accept unpublished manuscripts, some charge an entry fee (which can sometimes be very high), some charge no fee, some require many copies of the book, some don't accept e-books, and so on. 

Writers also should beware of award scams and worthless awards. Many contests are run by “award mills” that benefit the mill owners rather than the winners. Some contests include injurious publishing contracts. Writers should take the time to read about scams and worthless awards at Writer Beware and review the list of complaints about contest scams at Preditors and Editors (see websites listed below). Children’s book buyers should be aware that an award may not necessarily mean the book has significant literary value.

A Few Children’s Book Awards and Resources Listing Awards

Key: Authors = authors can submit their own books for consideration.

        No SP = no self-published entries  

American Library Association

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia

Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, The Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and other awards

Children’s Literature Web Guide—Children’s Book Awards

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/awards.html

The most comprehensive guide to English-language children’s book awards on the Internet

Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market (reference book)

Edited by Alice Pope and published by Writer’s Digest Books; includes a list of children’s book contests and awards

The Cybils (Authors)

http://www.cybils.com/

Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards

International Reading Association (Authors) http://www.reading.org/resources/AwardsandGrants/childrens_ira.aspx

IRA Chidlren’s and Young Adults Book Awards

Moonbeam Awards (Author)

http://www.moonbeamawards.com/

Organized by the Jenkins Group; forty-one categories of award

National Book Foundation (Authors, No SP)

http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2012.html#.UPM0jSc0WSo

Young People’s Literature Award

Pacific Northwest Library Association—Young Readers’ Choice Award

http://www.pnla.org/yrca

Reading Rockets

http://www.readingrockets.org/books/awardwinners/#notable

"teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle"
National multimedia project sponsored by WETA TV; lists award-winning books 

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

http://www.scbwi.org

Golden Kite Award, Sid Fleischman Award, Sue Alexander Award (Authors may submit their own books but must be SCBWI members)

Information about Award Scams

Writer Beware

http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/contests/

Preditors and Editors

http://pred-ed.com/

Book Blogger Awards

Awards can strengthen the credibility of a book blogger’s site, which should be of interest to those who buy books as well as writers wantingto increase their understanding of children’s literature.

Goodreads/Association of Book Publishers—Independent Book Bloggers Awards (IBBA)
http://www.goodreads.com/book_blogger_award 
and
http://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/362
"designed to showcase the incredible talent in the book blogging community today"
Categories include Young Adults & Children's 

Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers Award
http://www.writersdigest.com/101-best-websites-for-writers

Sunshine Award

Awarded by independent bloggers to "bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere." 

This blog site was recently honored with a Sunshine Blogger Award by fellow blogger and writer Barbara Bockman (www.barbarabockman.wordpress.com). The award comes with my answers to a few questions:   

Favorite color: terra cotta, or is it deep rust (especially as I enter my dotage)?

Favorite animal: otter, or maybe dragonfly? They both seem to have a lot of fun. On the other hand, I do so sympathize with the sloth . . .

Favorite number: Any number that wins the lottery.

Favorite drink: Ginger tea. Too boring? Well, how about a margarita?

Passions: Laughter, music, friends, organic food, natural health.

Favorite day: Any day I can be with family and friends.

Favorite flowers: water lilies in the sunlight, gardenias on a summer's night, winter jasmine on a cold day.

I have passed along a Sunshine Blogger Award to fellow writer and blogger Beverly Stowe McClure, whose blog site for children's and teens’ books is at http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/.

I welcome your comments, updates, and additions to this list of resources for finding book award contests, books that have won awards, and book blogs that have won awards.