Publishers Weekly and BookBrunch Launch Awards for Self-Published Authors

NEW YORK—January 7, 2020—In recognition of one of the fastest-growing segments of the book market, book industry heavyweights Publishers Weekly, the international news platform, and BookBrunch, the daily online news service for the U.K., have launched the Selfies book awards for self-published authors in the United States. One winner receives $1,000 cash and an advertising package valued at $5,000. 

The mission of the awards initiative, which was the brainchild of BookBrunch and introduced to great acclaim in the U.K. in 2018, is to discover new talent and reward the very best self-published titles each year. To be administered by BookLife, the self-publishing arm of Publishers Weekly, in association with BookBrunch, the awards’ first year spotlights adult fiction published during 2019. Categories may be expanded in future years to include nonfiction and children’s books. A juried shortlist will be announced on May 29, 2020 and one winner announced in June 2020. The first U.S. Selfies award will be presented at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference on June 27, 2020.

“BookBrunch are delighted to be working with Publishers Weekly and BookLife to bring the Selfies awards to the U.S. and to help discover and reward the very best fiction writing by indie authors in 2019,” said Jo Henry, managing director of BookBrunch. 

“The Selfies are bound to be a big hit among indie authors in the United States, as well as a useful guide for readers, librarians and booksellers in discerning new authors whose works deserve greater recognition,” said Carl Pritzkat, v-p, general manager, Publishers Weekly and president of BookLife.

Cevin Bryerman, executive v-p and publisher of Publishers Weekly, said, “When I first read about the launch of the Selfies in the U.K. and saw the enthusiastic outpouring of entries and support, I knew this would be a success here in the U.S. The Selfies support self-published authors and help their books gain a foothold in the general book market.”

Eligible titles in the adult fiction category must have been published in the United States during the calendar year 2019 by authors who live in the U.S.; authors need not be U.S. citizens. Entries cost $50 each and will only be accepted from authors who are predominantly or solely self-published, defined as authors who act as publishers and/or creative directors. The deadline for submission is February 29, 2020. 

What the judges will be looking for: 

  • Stories that entertain and delight readers
  • High production values in e-book or print format
  • Enticing covers and blurbs that successfully nab the target audience’s attention
  • Effective and creative marketing and publicity strategies with the potential for significant sales

The U.S. awards are co-sponsored by IngramSpark, the e-book and print-on-demand publishing services company, and Combined Book Exhibit, which showcases published works at trade shows and expos around the world.
Each author who submits a book will receive a free subscription to the BookLife Report, a weekly newsletter for indie and self-published authors. Shortlisted authors will receive free entrance to the ALA Annual Conference in June 2020. The winning author, in addition to receiving $1,000 cash, receives a $5,000 package of advertising in Publishers Weekly’s print magazine and online.

For more information, contact Christi Cassidy, +1-917-217-4269, ccassidy@publishersweekly.com

About BookBrunch

BookBrunch is a daily news service and information site for the book industry and has been keeping thousands of publishing professionals informed about the latest developments on a daily basis since 2008. Joint editors Nicholas Clee and Neill Denny have 40+ years covering the book trade between them, and BookBrunch’s news coverage reflects their knowledge and experience of the industry.

About Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is the international news platform of the book publishing industry. Founded in 1872 and published weekly since then, the magazine boasts 1.23 million social media followers; publishes 10 e-newsletters, BookLife (a website and monthly supplement), two blogs, podcasts, a mobile edition, digital editions, and apps; and features a thriving website that reaches 14 million unique visitors annually. 

About BookLife

BookLife taps the experience, integrity and authority of Publishers Weekly to help self-published authors achieve their goals. BookLife offers in-depth articles, professional tips and strategies for creating and marketing books; a free weekly BookLife Report e-newsletter; BookLife Reviews, a paid review service; and a free, easy tool to submit self-published books for free review consideration in Publishers Weekly.