35TH ANNUAL AWARD DETAILS & DEADLINES

BOOK AWARDS CATEGORIES

Titles must be originally published in 2024.
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 or wholesale channels at standard retail terms:
- 40% wholesale discount or better
- Fully returnable.

Nominations open: October 16, 2024 – January 12, 2025
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.
- Books must be shipped to arrive no later than January 31.

Titles are nominated by publishers and authors
Can also be suggested by booksellers, and we will follow-up with publishers
A long-list is created from all nominated titles.
Reading committees, made up of regional booksellers, read the nominated titles (long-list) to curate shortlists in each award category.
The shortlists are announced to the public on May 1, and voting begins 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%.)
Winners are notified, and will provide recorded acceptance speeches.
Winners are announced to the public via a pre-recorded awards event shown on YouTube and ReadingTheWest.com.