FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This page answers common questions about entering and participating in the Reader Views Literary Awards
GENERAL AWARDS INFORMATION
The Reader Views Literary Awards recognize outstanding books by independent and self-published authors, including titles published by small presses, university presses, and other independent publishers, across a wide range of fiction and non-fiction categories.
The awards are open to independent authors worldwide whose books are published in English. This includes self-published authors and books published by small presses, university presses, hybrid publishers, and other independent publishers. Books published by major traditional publishing houses, as well as unpublished manuscripts, are not eligible.
Yes, authors and publishers from any country may enter, provided the submitted book is written in English.
ELIGIBILITY & CATEGORIES
Eligible books must have a copyright date within the last five (5) years and must be published by the entry deadline listed for the applicable program cycle. The copyright year refers to the year listed on the copyright page, not the release or publication date.
Yes, revised editions are eligible provided they have a new ISBN and a copyright date within the last five (5) years. Eligibility is based on the revised edition, not the original publication.
Yes, authors may submit more than one book. Each book requires a separate entry and fee.
Yes. If a book fits more than one category, you may select up to four categories per entry. Each additional category beyond the first requires an additional fee of $39.
Choose the category that best reflects the primary focus of your book. If you are unsure, select the closest match. Category placement is reviewed and may be adjusted if a different category is more appropriate.
All poetry titles should be entered in the Fiction Awards program.
All Children’s titles, from picture books through middle grade, should be entered in the Fiction Awards program.
Young Adult fiction titles are entered in the Fiction Awards. Young Adult nonfiction titles are entered in the Nonfiction Awards.
Enter the closest applicable category. The awards team reviews category placement and may reassign entries when appropriate.
Books that are part of a series or trilogy must be entered individually. Each book is judged on its own merit. Entire series or trilogies may not be submitted as a single entry.
The following submissions are not accepted:
–Books previously entered in a Reader Views awards program, unless the submission is a revised edition with a new ISBN
–Books that rely primarily on AI-generated content
–Books that promote racism, hate, or contain derogatory or divisive content
–Unpublished manuscripts, works in progress, or pre-publication files
Entries include complimentary Regional (for U.S. authors) and Global (for all authors) category consideration. These designations may refer to either the book’s subject matter or the author’s residence.
REGIONAL CATEGORIES (NORTH AMERICA ONLY):
Canada East (ON, QB, NF, NB, NS, PE, NT)
Canada West (BC, AB, SK, MB, NWT, YK)
Great Lakes (OH, MI, IN, IL, WI)
Mexico
Mid-Atlantic (PA, WV, VA, DE, MD, DC, NJ)
Midwest (MN, IA, MO, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND)
North East (ME, VT, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY)
South (MS, LA, AR, TX, TN)
South East (KY, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL)
Western Mountain (MT, WY, ID, UT, CO, NM)
Western Pacific (CA, OR, WA, HI, AK)
GLOBAL CATEGORIES:
Asia
Africa
Antarctica
Australia/New Zealand/Australasia
Europe
North America
South America
AI & ORIGINALITY
Submissions must reflect original, human-authored work. Limited use of AI-assisted tools for editing, formatting, or brainstorming is acceptable; however, books that rely primarily on AI-generated content (text) are not eligible. Eligibility decisions are based on editorial judgment and overall review quality.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS & FORMAT
We accept PDF files or physical copies. We do not accept Word documents or EPUB files.
Yes—if it’s a PDF. We accept PDF files or physical copies. We do not accept EPUB ebook files.
If submitting electronically, please provide (1) a PDF of the book and (2) the cover image (PDF, JPG, or PNG). If submitting physical copies, please send two (2) copies per entry—one for the reviewer and one for the judges.
Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) are discouraged. If submitted, ARCs will be judged as final published editions.
Minor updates may be accepted if the review process has not yet begun. Significant revisions are not permitted once judging is underway.
JUDGING & EVALUATION
Initial judging is conducted by the Reader Views team of professional reviewers. Each entry receives a professional written review, and a standardized 20-point evaluation. Finalists are determined based on cumulative scores within each category. Final award decisions are made by a panel of judges.
Yes. Each entry receives a professional written review and a standardized 20-point evaluation as part of the judging process.
The 20-point evaluation is a structured assessment in which reviewers rate specific criteria on a 1–5 scale (with 5 being the highest). These ratings are used internally to determine the overall evaluation. Authors receive written feedback and criterion-level ratings, but the final numerical score is not disclosed.
The evaluation framework is consistent, but different scoresheets are used for different book formats. Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and Picture Books are each evaluated using criteria specific to that format, while all evaluations follow the same scoring structure and review standards.
All reviewers follow the same evaluation guidelines, and entries are judged independently. Scoresheet use and category placement are monitored for consistency by the judges.
If a submitted title has already received a Reader Views review, it will not receive an additional written review. The book will still receive a 20-point evaluation and will automatically advance to the next level of judging.
FEES & DEADLINES
Entry fees are based on the submission period. Early Entry fees are $89 per title for the first category. Regular Entry fees are $99 per title. During the final month of the contest, entry fees are $109 per title.
Authors may enter a book in up to four categories. Each additional category beyond the first is $39, regardless of the submission period.
No. All entry fees are non-refundable. No exceptions.
Deadlines are firm. Late entries are not accepted.
Category changes may be allowed if requested early in the process and before judging has begun. Approval is subject to review.
TIMELINE & NOTIFICATIONS
We cannot guarantee when you will receive your review. While we do our best to review books in the order they are received, entry date alone does not determine when a book is selected for review, as reviewers choose titles based on their interests and availability. Once your review and scoresheet are complete, they will be sent to you promptly.
Finalists and winners are announced after the judging process is complete. Announcements are made on the Reader Views website, and authors are notified by email when finalists and winners are announced. Announcement timing is published on the applicable awards page (Fiction or Non-Fiction) on the website.
Authors are notified by email, and announcements are published on the Reader Views website. To stay up to date, we recommend adding us to your contact list to ensure you receive our emails and signing up for the Reader Views newsletter.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Winners receive official recognition, awards badges, and promotional exposure through Reader Views platforms.
In both the Fiction and Non-Fiction programs, three Grand Prize winners—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—receive a cash prize. Cash prize amounts are determined annually.
Some categories may also include sponsored prizes, depending on the program cycle.
Finalists receive recognition and may use official finalist badges for promotional purposes.
Yes, winners and finalists are promoted through the Reader Views website, newsletter, and social media channels.
Yes, winners and finalists may use official awards badges for marketing and promotional use.
FINAL CLARIFICATIONS
No. All entries are judged competitively based on merit.
No. Reviews are professional, honest, and reflect both strengths and areas for improvement.
Yes, all completed reviews are published on the Reader Views Book Review Blog. Reviews are written professionally and are intended to provide constructive, balanced feedback, regardless of outcome.
No, reviewers select books from the available entries based on their expertise and genre preferences. Judges are not requested or assigned, and individual reviewer or judge requests cannot be accommodated.
Books are evaluated individually using standardized criteria. Finalists and winners are determined based on scores within each category.
Yes, Reader Views reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet eligibility requirements or violates contest guidelines. Disqualification does not alter the entry fee policy.
If you have questions not specifically addressed here, please contact us at indies@readerviews.com
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