The Reading the West Book Awards honor the best fiction, non-fiction, and illustrated books for adults and children set in one of the MPIBA member states, or created by an author or artist living in the region. The awards celebrate the spirit of the west and the rich variety of writing in and about our region and reflect the extraordinary diversity of our reading public.
34th ANNUAL AWARD DETAILS & DEADLINES
AWARD CATEGORIES:
- Adult Fiction
- Debut Fiction
- Adult Poetry
- Adult Nonfiction (General)
- Adult Biography/Memoir
- Young Adult (for ages 13+)
- Young Readers (for ages 7 – 12)
- Picture Books
CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY:
- Titles must be originally published in 2023.
- Books must be predominantly set in/or about the MPIBA Region, and/or the work of authors or illustrators who live in the MPIBA region.
- Books must be available through mainstream distribution channels at standard retail terms (40% or better) and fully returnable. Ideally, books will also be available via mainstream wholesale channels.
- The person submitting or the publisher (if different) must be able to provide complimentary reading copies (approximately 10-15) to our bookseller reading committees. Copies must be available to mail by January 12, 2024.
- The person submitting or the publisher (if different) must pay the $150 nomination fee.
AWARDS TIMELINE:
- Nomination Period: October 16, 2023 – January 12, 2024
- Long-list Announced: February 2024
- Short-list Announced: April 2024
- Public Voting: May 2024
- Winners Announced: June 2024
- Regional Bookstore Display Contest: Summer 2024
NOMINATIONS DETAILS:
- Nominations accepted via on-line form, October 16, 2023 – January 12, 2024
- Nomination fee is $150 per title; due upon receipt of invoice.
- Nominator must ship print reading copies to the appropriate award reading committee members (up to 15 copies depending on the category). After titles are nominated, you’ll receive a list of booksellers and mailing addresses for shipping the books.
SELECTION PROCESS:
- A long-list is created from all nominated titles.
- Reading the West Book Award reading committees, made up of regional booksellers, read the nominated titles (long-list) to curate shortlists in each award category.
- The shortlists will be announced in late April, and voting will begin with promotion to bookstores and booksellers and the reading public.
- Category winners are determined by bookseller and public voting. (Bookseller votes are weighted 60% of the vote tally, and consumer votes are weighted 40%.)
PUBLICITY AND PROMOTIONS FOR THE AWARDS AND NOMINATED TITLES:
- Long-list titles promoted on public facing website – readingthewest.com – with links in e-newsletters and social media.
- Long-list titles read by regional booksellers to create shortlists.
- National media release for announcement of shortlists.
- E-newsletter and extensive social media outreach for announcement of shortlists and opening of public voting.
- National media release for announcement of winners.
- E-newsletter and extensive social media outreach for announcement of winners.
- Virtual public event for announcement of winners.
- Region-wide bookstore display contest for the shortlisted and winning titles.
- Downloadable fliers, bookmarks, shelf-talkers, and signage provided to MPIBA member bookstores for promoting the Reading the West program and titles.
- Digital assets for e-newsletters, websites, and social media provided to MPIBA members for promoting the program and titles.