Call for Entries

Publishers and authors are invited to enter the annual Midwest Book Awards competition sponsored by the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. The awards recognize creativity in content and execution, overall book quality, and the book’s unique contribution to its subject area. MIPA has sponsored the book awards since 1990. 

Current Competition: The 23rd Annual Midwest Book Awards honored excellence in books published in 2012. The Midwest Book Awards Gala was held on May 8, 2013, at the Bloomington Center for the Arts. 

Upcoming Competition: Entries for the 24th Annual Midwest Book Awards for books published in 2013 will be accepted starting in the fall of 2013.

AWARDS & BENEFITS

Three finalists are selected in each category. From those, one winner is chosen. 

All finalists and award winners receive certificates and may purchase foil seals for use in marketing efforts. Winners will also receive a bronze medallion and be featured in MIPA marketing throughout the year.

Winners and finalists also are honored at the Midwest Book Awards Gala held in May in the Twin Cities. The awards ceremony is not a public event; reservations are required. Judges’ individual book evaluation sheets will be provided to the entrants after the awards are announced at the gala. Gold seals for winners and silver seals for finalists are sold after the award ceremony.

See Why Enter? for other benefits. 

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE 24TH ANNUAL MIDWEST BOOK AWARDS

  • All entries MUST carry an ISBN and a 2013 copyright. There will be no exceptions.
  • New editions (including the new ISBN) of previously published books are eligible. Reprints do not qualify.
  • Entries must be published within the 12-state region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
  • Deadline for receipt of books and entry fees is January 28, 2014. 
  • There are absolutely no exceptions. Judges’ decisions are final.

ENTRY FEES

A single title may be entered in as many categories as the publisher or author wishes, along with the following payment, as appropriate:

  • MIPA member: $55 for each title (first category) and $15 for each additional category.
  • Non-member: $115 for each title (first category) and $25 for each additional category. Join MIPA for $50 and save on entry fees!
  • Entry fees must accompany your submission or be made simultaneously with the submission on PayPal at the MIPA website.
  • Checks should be made to MIPA and sent with entries. If you pay by PayPal, a receipt should be sent with entries. Fees are non-refundable.

WHAT TO SEND

WHERE TO SEND

For e-books, email an e-pub file to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For printed books, ship books (and entry fees) in the same package to:

Midwest Independent Publishers Association
Attn: Karen Walhof
7322 Ohms Lane
Minneapolis, MN 55439

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your submissions.

CATEGORIES

A title may be entered either as a printed book or an e-book (but not an app) in any of these categories. The publisher/author selects one or more categories in which to enter each book. There will be no separate e-book categories. The best books, whether in printed or e-book format, will be named finalists in each category. Books are judged both on content and on the quality of the printed or electronic presentation.

A special note on e-books: e-books must adhere to the same quality standards as printed books. Like printed books, they are judged on creativity in content and execution, overall book quality, and the book’s unique contribution to its subject area. They MUST have a cover. Just as judges consider a printed book’s packaging (design and layout), they will assess an e-book’s packaging (formatting, structure, and navigation).  

Subject Categories

Here are the subject categories:

  • Arts: Books about the graphic and performing arts and architecture.
  • Autobiography/Memoir: Non-fiction and creative non-fiction about the author.
  • Biography: Non-fiction books about a current or historical figure (not the author).
  • Business: Business-related literature including commerce, career, computers, technology.
  • Children’s Picture Books: Books for children with a substantial amount of artwork.
  • Children’s Fiction: Fiction books aimed at all reading levels to age twelve.
  • Children’s Non-Fiction: Non-fiction books aimed at all reading levels to age twelve.
  • Coffee Table Books: Books created for display that meld exemplary text, design, and artwork.
  • Cookbooks: Books on all cooking-related topics.
  • Crafts/Hobbies: Books on crafts and hobbies aimed at adults.
  • Culture: Non-fiction books with an emphasis on diversity, gender, sexuality, and aging.
  • Current Events/Political Science: Non-fiction books on topics of a current or political nature; can include historical political figures.
  • Education/Learning: Books dealing with topics of education, including homeschooling.
  • Family/Parenting: Books that deal with all aspects of family life, including parenting help, family dynamics, and multigeneration families.
  • Fiction – Fantasy/SciFi/Horror/Paranormal: Genre fiction with a fantasy, science fiction, horror, or paranormal theme.
  • Fiction – Historical: Genre fiction with a historical theme and historical setting.
  • Fiction – Literary: Fiction that focuses on character development, plot depth, and writing style.
  • Fiction – Mystery/Thriller: Genre fiction with a suspense or mystery theme.
  • Fiction – Contemporary: Commercial fiction that is not genre specific.
  • Fiction – Romance: Genre fiction with a romance theme.
  • Fiction – Short Story/Anthology: Collections of fiction by one or by multiple authors.
  • Health: Non-fiction books with topics related to health and healing, including physical and mental health, addiction, and alternative medicine.
  • History: Non-fiction books with subjects of a historical nature.
  • Humor: Fiction and non-fiction books whose primary focus is humor.
  • Inspiration/Gift Books: Books that are created to inspire or be given as gifts.
  • Midwest Regional Interest – Text: Books of Midwest regional interest primarily with text.
  • Midwest Regional Interest – Illustration: Books of Midwest regional interest featuring illustrations or photos.
  • Nature: Non-fiction books relating to nature, not limited to essays, ecology, and environment.
  • Poetry: Poetic works, whether by one author or an anthology.
  • Recreation/Sports: Non-fiction books with a sporting and recreation theme.
  • Reference: Non-fiction books created for reference.
  • Religion/Philosophy: Non-fiction books encompassing all religions—Eastern, Western, and New Age—as well as philosophy.
  • Self-Help: Non-fiction books focused on personal development and improvement.
  • Social Science: Non-fiction books encompassing all fields of social science.
  • Travel: Travel guides and travel essays.
  • Young Adult Fiction: Fiction, whether or not genre specific, aimed at the teen market.
  • Young Adult Non-Fiction: Non-fiction, regardless of subject matter, aimed at the teen market.

Design Categories

Here are the design categories:

  • Illustration – Graphic: Interior artwork, not including photography.
  • Illustration – Photography: Interior photography.
  • Interior Layout: Overall interior layout of a book.
  • Cover: Paperback or hardbound book.
  • Total Book Design: Total book design, including interior layout and cover design.
  • Publisher’s Website: Publisher’s website, specifically judging clarity and ease of use.
  • Total Marketing Package: The total marketing plan for a book, whether an e-marketing campaign, a traditional marketing campaign, or both.

QUESTIONS?

Midwest Book Awards Chair Karen Walhof can answer your questions and provide guidance if you are not sure how to choose the specific categories that could be appropriate for your book in the Midwest Book Awards program.

Email Karen at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or phone 952-842-8039. 

See also

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