There is a flash sale today (Nov. 29, 2024) ONLY at the Next Generation Indie Book Award.

Next Gen offers a variety of cash prizes and also seals for winning, running up, etc., that you can add to your book’s cover.

What do seals look like on a book cover? See ECHOES FROM THE HOCKER HOUSE.

The sale at Next Gen is today only. This sale is on East Coast time: ends Midnight East Coast.

Below is the pricing, which I copied from the site because it was a little hard to find:

What are the Entry Fees for the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards?

During the Flash Sale, the entry fee is $75 per title for the first category entered, $0.00 for the second category, and $60 for each additional category entered. For example, if three categories are entered for one title the total entry fee will be $135 ($75 for the first category plus $0.00 for the second category plus $60 for the third category).

So, do I recommend this award? It’s a personal preference. Some authors like to apply to all the awards they can, and this one has been around for a long time. Some authors find value in adding award seals to their book’s cover for the validation they provide to the consumer. Ultimately, awards are very much up to what each author wants for his/her/their book. If you publish with us, not only are you published by a small press instead of self-published, if you win an award at any time, we can always add that to your cover. We never stop supporting you!

What Next Gen is offering in the sale is for you to buy one category and get a second one free. So what does that mean? Categories you might enter could be “first novel” and “chick lit.” Or you might enter under “horror” and “short story.” You have to consider what you think the main theme/genre of your book is and start with that. One category I would not choose is “general fiction.” Too many submissions will be entered under that category and will, thus, diminish your odds of success.

Here are the categories that you can choose from for this award.

What are your chances? Entrants will include a lot of self-published authors, and many of these titles will not even have been professionally edited! If you publish with Current Words, you have an above-average chance because your book will be “clean”: meaning it has been well-edited and proofed. You will have a professional file, and a great cover. 

The sale at Next Gen is only today, but you can still apply if you miss the sale.

If you’re interested in awards for your book another to consider is the Eric Hoffer Award. This has a $15 discount for entering currently. We are a small press, so when they ask you that question, and you’ve published with us, you choose small press. Registration link. Information link.

Also, as we head into December, we recommend the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) contest. Over the years we have had a lot of authors win there, as has our company, and Dave and I individually. If you do not have an NFPW group in your state, you enter as “At Large.” As you might imagine, with press in the title, they tend to get more journalism-related entries than poetry and fiction, so it is a smaller group you’re competing against, which helps. You do NOT have to be female to enter. It’s just a female-headed group giving the awards. They also have a cost, but the cost goes up after mid-January, so it is less expensive now. Entry Link.

Some authors like awards, but price can be a barrier, while some simply aren’t interested. It’s really up to you, and don’t feel “any kind-of way” whichever author you are.

Why do book awards charge a fee?
This is a truth authors need to come to grips with: fees. I think we all grew up believing our book would get discovered, like the girl at the soda fountain getting discovered by the Hollywood director, and the money would just pour in.

This simply doesn’t happen.

Book deals are rare, and most are not as good as they may seem. Agents sometimes hold books for years, hoping for that book deal and to snag a part of the advance. The money is fleeting, and a low-end book deal can actual hurt your reputation rather than enhance it. Your best way to publication may be through a supportive partner who will nurture you, your book, and your career. At Current Words Publishing (CWP) we offer not only a great edit and a beautiful book, but also a community of supportive peers, monthly updates, PR opportunities, and free, ongoing marketing meetings for life. And, like with book awards/contests, there are fees.

Book award organizations employ admins to collect and sort entries. They hire professionals to read and judge entries. They hire writers, sales, and PR staff. All of these personnel are cost centers in terms of time, resources, and expertise. The same is true in publishing. CWP has years of experience editing, producing, and promoting top-quality books, and helping authors from start to finish. We bring 20+ years of related education, as well as 20+ years working in teaching, editing, and commercial publishing. Consider this: Musicians who self-produce music and publish their recordings on Spotify or other streaming sites incur costs. Artists who rent gallery space, or enter awards, or belong to art leagues incur costs. Publishing has costs, even if you DIY as much as possible. Smart authors consider the long game, and how the career is not made or lost on one book. It is a process to achieve the dream, the same as in any other career.

If your book is in production, and due to be available in 2025, even if it is in pre-order status, you cannot apply to these until the work is published.

If you can currently hold a paper copy of your book in your hand, and you got it in 2024, you are eligible.

If you bring your manuscript to life with us, you’re going to be in the running for many awards because we’re going to make sure you have an excellent book. If you’re thinking about publishing with us, but are unsure of the value this offers you in advancing your writing career, I offer a free sample edit to help demonstrate what CWP brings to the table. Contact me if interested. You can also always register for a free meet and greet.

If you’d like to apply to any literary awards, we will provide you with any required files. We promote our authors on social media and in our newsletters and are quick to share your successes with readers!

To qualify for the most award opportunities in 2025, it’s recommended to have your book available by July. We can easily help you to meet this deadline for 2025. We’re fast, efficient, inexpensive, and on your side.

So go ahead; go after that award!

Happy Black Friday… may you be breakfasting on fantastic leftovers!

 🙂

Dianne (& Dave too)