FAQs

What is the prize for?
For 2022, there are three prizes available: best fiction, best children’s book and best memoir/autobiography independently published by its author in the U.S. during the period under consideration (for the 2022 prize, this is anything published between January 2021 and December 2021).
What are the judges looking for?
  • A story that delights and entertains the reader
  • A well produced book
  • A well designed cover and intriguing blurb
  • A marketing and publicity strategy that addresses the relevant audience and has the potential for great sales
When and how do I need to submit my work?

Submissions for the 2022 prize opened on February 1, 2022 and closed at midnight EST on March 31, 2022.  For further information, please email selfiesbookawardsus@booklife.com.

Who won the previous U.S. Selfies book awards?
Tim Westover was the winner of the inaugural U.S. Selfies book award for his novel The Winter Sisters.  Read more news here.  In 2021, the winner of the adult fiction category was Lilianne Milgrom for her novel L’Origine while author Naibe Reynoso and illustrator Ana Varela took the children’s book prize for their picture book How to Fold a Taco; for more details please see here.
What is the Prize?

In 2022, all authors submitting work will receive a free subscription to BookLife, the online resource that provides tips, news and information for indie and self-published authors, plus 50% off Combined Book Exhibit’s (CBE) published rates for any trade show in 2022-2023.

All shortlisted authors will be featured in an advertisement in PW’s ALA preview issue on June 13, a book display at one CBE trade show and a feature in the CBE Library Newsletter which goes to 30,000 librarians.

The winners will each receive $1,000 cash plus a $5,000 package of advertising in Publishers Weekly (PW), both in print and online, plus free display at five trade shows on the CBE schedule in 2022-23 and a feature in the CBE Library Newsletter. 

What are the key timings for the 2022 Selfies?
  • Submissions open on February 1, 2022 and close at midnight on March 31, 2022
  • The shortlists were announced in early May via BookLife, Publishers Weekly and other partner agencies
  • The winner will be announced at an invitation only event on June 16, and via PW on June 17
What are the criteria for work to be accepted?
  • Titles must be adult fiction, children’s/YA or memoir/autobiography self-published in the U.S. in English between January and December 2021
  • Adult fiction titles should be between 70,000 and 100,000 words long
  • The author (and illustrator if applicable) must live in the U.S.
  • The book must be submitted as a PDF, e-book or other digital file
What happens if I have further questions or problems submitting my work?
  • Please check your spam if you don’t receive a confirmation email with the link to submit your work once you have subscribed via the BookLife site
  • If you can’t find the email, or have problems subscribing, please email selfiesbookawardsus@booklife.com.