AWARDS PROGRAM GUIDELINES
The Reader Views Literary Awards honor excellence in independent publishing. This program recognizes outstanding books by self-published authors and those published through small presses, university presses, hybrid publishers, and other independent publishers.
Eligibility
The Reader Views Literary Awards are open to independent authors worldwide; however, all submitted works must be published in the English language.
Books must be officially published by the final entry cut-off date for the applicable awards program. Titles not published by this deadline are not eligible for the current year’s program.
Books must have a copyright date within the last five (5) years to be eligible. The copyright year refers to the year listed on the copyright page of the book, not the publication or release date.
Works published by major traditional publishing houses are not eligible.
Revised editions with a new ISBN are eligible regardless of the original copyright date.
Poetry and all Children’s titles (picture books through middle grade) are evaluated as part of the Fiction Awards program.
Books Not Accepted
The following submissions will not be accepted:
Previously Entered Titles
Books that have been entered into a previous Reader Views awards program are not eligible unless the submission is a revised edition with a new ISBN.
AI-Generated Content
Submissions must reflect original, human-authored work. Authors may use AI-assisted tools for limited support such as editing, formatting, or brainstorming; however, books that rely primarily on AI-generated content are not eligible.
Reader Views does not claim absolute certainty in identifying AI-generated material and does not rely on automated detection scores alone. Eligibility decisions are based on editorial judgment and review quality. Reader Views reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet originality standards.
Racist, Hate-Based, or Divisive Content
Books that promote racism, hate, or contain derogatory content targeting any individual or group will not be accepted under any circumstances. Reader Views maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such content.
We are committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and respect. Our awards program celebrates excellence in publishing while upholding these values.
Judging Process
All initial judging is conducted by the Reader Views team of professional reviewers. These reviewers are experienced readers and subject-matter experts and should be considered the intended reading audience.
Judging criteria may include, but are not limited to:
- Content and originality
- Presentation and design
- Innovation and social relevance
- Production quality
- Enjoyment and/or impact
- Plot, structure, or resourcefulness (depending on category)
Each entry receives:
- A professional written review
- A 20-point evaluation form outlining performance across key criteria
Both the review and evaluation are delivered as a PDF and may be used by the author for promotional purposes. Reviews are also published on the Reader Views Book Reviews blog.
If a submitted title has already received a Reader Views review, it will not receive an additional review and will automatically advance to the next level of judging.
While reviews are completed as efficiently as possible, Reader Views cannot guarantee a specific review timeline. Reviewers select titles based on availability and interest.
Submission Materials and Format
Submissions should reflect the final published version of the book. Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) are discouraged and, if submitted, will be judged as final editions.
Submission formats (PDF and/or physical copies), category options, and submission deadlines are determined by each program cycle and are outlined on the main awards page and the individual category pages for the Fiction and Non-Fiction programs.
Entry Fees and Deadlines
Entry fees, submission deadlines, and category options vary by program and award cycle. Full details are provided on the main awards page and the individual category pages for each Fiction and Non-Fiction program.
All entry fees are non-refundable.
Category options, including regional designations, are outlined within each award program.
Final Notes
By submitting an entry, authors agree to abide by all contest rules and guidelines. Reader Views reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet originality or eligibility requirements or that violates contest policies.
Our Awards Sponsors
