12 Book Awards That Don’t Mean What You Think They Do

Book awards often sound impressive and can influence what you pick up next. But not all awards carry the same weight or mean what you might assume. Some can be misleading, promoting books or authors for reasons that don’t always reflect literary quality or popularity.

Understanding which book awards truly matter helps you make better reading choices and avoid being fooled by flashy but less meaningful honors. This article will help you navigate the confusing world of book prizes and recognize when an award isn’t all it seems.

Book Excellence Award

If you come across the Book Excellence Award, know it’s not necessarily a stamp of outstanding quality. You can win this award without it meaning much about your book’s actual merit.

Many see it more as a marketing tool than a true measure of excellence. It’s often used to boost visibility and sales rather than celebrate literary achievement.

Be cautious, since getting this award might feel good, but it doesn’t guarantee your book is better than others. It’s important to look deeper than the title before putting too much stock in it. For more on this, check out discussions about the Book Excellence Award.

Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY)

If you’re an indie author, the IPPY Awards might look like a big deal. They’ve been around since 1996 and celebrate independently published books worldwide.

But keep in mind, the sheer number of categories means lots of winners every year. This can make the award feel less exclusive than you might expect.

Entering can still boost your book’s visibility, but don’t assume it automatically means top literary prestige. The IPPYs focus more on indie recognition than on elite literary status.

You can check out recent winners and get a sense of the awards at the Independent Publisher Book Awards site.

Literary Classics Book Award

If you write or read children’s or young adult books, the Literary Classics Book Award might have caught your eye. It aims to promote fine literature for younger readers, which sounds great at first.

But here’s the thing: this award isn’t as well-known or prestigious as others like the Pulitzer. It’s more about promoting specific types of books than a rigorous quality check. So, if you rely on it as a mark of excellence, take it with a grain of salt.

You can learn more about what they do and how they operate by checking out the Literary Classics website.

USA Book Awards

If you’re looking at the USA Book Awards, keep in mind they’re not as prestigious as some of the big literary prizes. These awards often focus on self-published and independent titles.

You might find them useful if you want some recognition without the red tape, but they don’t carry the same weight.

Some writers use these awards to boost visibility and sales, though critics argue they don’t always guarantee quality. You can learn more about them and similar contests through The Book Shepherd.

Readers’ Favorite Awards

If you’re looking at the Readers’ Favorite Awards, know that they offer free book reviews and a yearly contest for a wide range of genres. You can submit your book and get feedback, but be aware that some consider their contest entry fees on the higher side.

The awards cover over 150 categories and highlight many winners each year. While the recognition sounds appealing, it’s worth checking if this aligns with what you want from a book award before committing.

You can learn more about their process and contest details by visiting the Readers’ Favorite award contest page.

National Indie Excellence Awards

If you think winning the National Indie Excellence Awards instantly means your book is a bestseller, think again. These awards focus mainly on recognizing independently published books, which is great, but it doesn’t guarantee commercial success.

You can enter books published by small presses or even self-published ones, as long as they are in English and available for sale. The awards emphasize quality and spirit rather than sales numbers or mainstream fame.

One perk for you is that the judging is done by experienced authors and industry folks who look for books that stand out creatively. Still, keep in mind that the recognition may not lead to wider publishing deals or huge publicity. Check out more about the awards here.

International Book Awards

You might see the International Book Awards pop up and think it’s a huge deal. It’s a large contest with hundreds of winners and finalists every year.

But winning doesn’t always mean much beyond a nice mention. The awards cover many genres and categories, which can dilute their prestige.

If you enter, expect a broad field and competition that includes indie and self-published authors. The recognition can be useful, but it’s not like landing a Pulitzer.

For more details, you can check out the 2024 International Book Awards.

Royal Dragonfly Book Awards

If you’re thinking the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards sound super prestigious, think again. These awards cover a wide range of genres—over 60 categories to be exact—and they hand out a lot of prizes.

You only get an award if your book reaches a certain judges’ score. So it’s not just entering and winning; your book has to meet specific criteria.

While it does recognize creativity and effort, this isn’t the kind of award that instantly boosts your credibility like some major industry honors. It’s more of a nice acknowledgment that you’ve done solid work on your book.

For more details, you can check out their official site.

American Fiction Awards

The American Fiction Awards might sound like a big deal, but they’re more of a niche program. They focus on honoring fiction, but don’t have the wide recognition that bigger awards enjoy.

If you’re considering entering, be aware it’s the 8th annual event, so it’s still building its reputation. Winning can give you a nice boost, but it’s not a guarantee of widespread acclaim.

It’s worth checking out if you want to target a specific audience or get some recognition in the fiction world, but don’t expect it to open every door for you. More details about the ceremony and its focus can be found on the American Fiction Awards page.

Next Generation Indie Book Awards

If you’re an indie author, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards might sound like a big deal. It’s a well-known program that honors independent publishers and authors worldwide.

But don’t expect it to carry the same weight as major traditional awards. It’s more about celebrating indie creativity than signaling bestseller status.

You can enter your book in many categories, which is great if you want recognition without strict genre limits. Just keep in mind, it’s more about community recognition than industry-changing prestige.

Learn more about the awards and winners at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards website.

What Do Book Awards Really Mean?

Book awards often look like simple marks of quality, but there’s more going on behind the scenes. The criteria used to judge books and the role of industry relationships can greatly influence which titles actually win.

How Award Criteria Shape Winners

Award criteria vary widely, and this can shape what types of books get recognized. Some focus strictly on literary merit—like writing style or originality. Others might prioritize commercial success or a book’s relevance to current social issues.

You should know what an award values before attaching too much weight to it. For example, an award that favors innovation may overlook well-crafted but traditional stories. Meanwhile, contests that emphasize sales might reward heavily marketed books over hidden gems.

Understanding these criteria helps you gauge if an award aligns with your taste or the qualities you value most in a book.

The Influence Of Publishing Industry Politics

Publishing politics play a big role in award outcomes. Big publishers often have more resources to promote their titles for awards, increasing a book’s visibility among judges. Smaller publishers or self-published authors rarely have this advantage.

You might find certain awards become predictable, favoring authors with strong industry ties or previous wins. Judges can also be influenced by trends or pressures to highlight diversity or other values, which affects choices.

So, awards sometimes reflect industry dynamics as much as book quality. Being aware of this can help you look beyond the shiny label and decide what matters most for your reading.

For more on how awards work behind the scenes, check out this explanation of book awards.

Common Myths About Literary Recognition

Not every award reflects a book’s true quality or importance. Sometimes what you think about how awards work doesn’t match reality, especially about how winners are chosen and what awards really signify.

Are All Awards A Sign Of Quality?

Not necessarily. Some awards are legitimate and judged by experts; others might ask for entry fees or even suggest buying copies of your own book to increase your chances.

You should watch out for contests that solicit entries or charge high fees without clear judging standards. Legit awards typically don’t sell special discounted entry rates or demand purchases.

Also, many reputable awards focus only on traditionally published books, which means self-published works might not even qualify. This can limit the field and affect your chances, regardless of your book’s merit.

Misconceptions About Judging Panels

You might assume judging panels are unbiased experts, but that’s not always the case. Some panels have a small number of judges or restrict the number of entries per publisher, which can skew results.

Judges’ personal tastes inevitably influence decisions. One award might favor certain genres or styles, so winning—or losing—doesn’t always reflect your book’s actual quality or popularity.

Remember, the best-known awards sometimes miss hidden gems or exclude self-published works, so judging panels aren’t as all-knowing as you might think.