Book Awards

AWARD CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY 

 

There are 14 awards in the Book Award category. Only books published in the preceding year are eligible for entry in the Awards. Books can only be entered into one category, with the exception of the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year and the Social Impact Book of the Year Award.

Download a sample book nomination form

Book of the Year

This award is chosen from the top book in each category as below by the judging panels, excluding the International Book of the Year.

 

General Fiction Book of the Year

This is an award for a work of general fiction with mass market appeal, written by an Australian author, which sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

 

General Non-fiction Book of the Year

This is an award for a work of general non-fiction with mass market appeal, written by an Australian author, which sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

 

Literary Fiction Book of the Year

This is an award for a work of outstanding literary fiction with broad appeal, written by an Australian author. It will have been well reviewed, sold well across the Australian marketplace, been a candidate for literary awards and created a buzz in the book trade.

 

Illustrated Book of the Year

This is an award for an illustrated book with high production values and broad appeal, written by an Australian author, which exemplifies outstanding and innovative design. It will have sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

 

Biography of the Year

This is an award for a high-quality biography or autobiography with broad appeal, written by an Australian author, which sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

 

Picture Book of the Year (ages 0-6)

This is an award for a children’s picture book popular with children aged 0–6, written and illustrated by Australians, which sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

 

Book of the Year for Younger Children (ages 7-12)

This is an award for a children’s book popular with children 7-12, written by an Australian author, which sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

Note: Picture books intended for children in this age range should be entered in this category.

 

Book of the Year for Older Children (ages 13+)

This is an award for a children’s book popular with children 13+, written by an Australian author, which sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

Note: Picture books intended for teenagers should be entered in this category.

 

The Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year

This award recognises new Australian writing and is awarded to a book by a debut Australian author, of any genre. It will have been well received, sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

Note: Titles entered for Matt Richell New Writer Award may also be entered into another category.

 

Small Publishers’ Adult Book of the Year

This is an award for a work of outstanding adult fiction or non-fiction, with broad appeal, written by an Australian author, published by a small publisher whose turnover does not exceed $10 million. It will have been well received, sold well in a variety of bookshops, been a candidate for literary awards and generally exceeded expectations.

 

Small Publishers’ Children’s Book of the Year

This is an award for a children’s or young adult book, with broad appeal, written by an Australian author, and illustrated by an Australian artist(s) (if applicable), published by a small publisher whose turnover does not exceed $10 million. It will have been well received, sold well in a variety of bookshops, been a candidate for literary awards and generally exceeded expectations.

 

International Book of the Year

This is an award for a work of any kind (fiction, non-fiction, illustrated, children’s, etc.) with broad appeal, written by an author who is NOT Australian, which sold well across the Australian marketplace and created a buzz in the book trade.

Note: The book is NOT eligible for the Book of the Year award.

 

Social Impact Book of the Year

This is an award for a work of an adult or children’s book of fiction or nonfiction with broad appeal that created news, debate, buzz and commentary in the Australian media, social and political landscapes. Ideally the book sold well and led to social and institutional change, and raised awareness of issues focused on underrepresented communities.

Note: Titles entered for Social Impact Book of the Year Award may also be entered into another category.