President's Book Award

Recognizing book publishing excellence and creativity in design, content, and production.

Each year, the Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) sponsors the
FAPA President’s Book Awards, which recognizes book publishing excellence and
creativity in design, content, and production for authors and publishers. This contest isn't limited to Florida, it is open to anyone throughout the world, as long as the book is written in English. We hope to encourage entries from all who share our complex and wonderful language.
Finalists are chosen by publishing professionals, librarians, and educators from within and outside of Florida and are announced at the President’s Book Awards Ceremony held in conjunction with FAPA's annual conference on August 2–3, 2024.
FAPA membership is not required for entry, although FAPA members receive discounts on submissions. Not a member? Join FAPA here.

· EARLIEST BIRD SPECIAL! Rates for entries received between October 5 and midnight December 31 are $65 for FAPA Members and $75 for non-members.

· EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Rates for entries received between January 1 and midnight February 29 are $70 for FAPA Members and $85 for non-members.

· REGULAR REGISTRATION rates for entries received between March 1 and midnight April 30 are $75 for FAPA Members and $95 for non-members.

IMPORTANT! To receive the member discount, you will need to enter your FAPA Member ID# and expiration date when submitting your entry. To get your FAPA Member ID# and expiration date, click on your name and underneath, click on profile. Once in your profile, click on membership card and take note of your Member ID# and expiration date.

If you are not a FAPA Member and would like to receive the member discount, please join FAPA before submitting your entry. No refunds are available once a submission is processed.

All contest categories will close at Midnight EST on April 30,2024.

Award Winners Receive

Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal
Ten free award seal stickers
Digital download of the FAPA President’s Book Awards medallion with permission to use on eBooks
Certificate of Achievement
Recognition at the FAPA President’s Book Awards ceremony on August 3, 2024 in Orlando
Winning books added to the FAPA Bookstore online
Press release template to use for personal promotional efforts

GUIDELINES

Please read the following guidelines carefully. Submitting an entry that does not meet our criteria may delay the judging process or even disqualify your entry.

Please prepare your manuscript and cover files before beginning the submission process. Books are submitted digitally. At the time of your entry, you will need a complete PDF file of your book’s manuscript to be uploaded, including front matter pages ahead of Chapter 1 and any back matter.

Cover submissions should be made separately. We require a PDF digital image of your cover consistent with the industry. You will need to submit the full spread to include the back cover, spine, and front cover.

Entries must have a valid ISBN and include the year published within the book. Publication dates eligible for this year are 2022, 2023, or 2024.
Entries must be submitted in a PDF format only; all other formats are not acceptable.
Cover Art must be the full spread of your book’s press-ready art, including front, back, and spine. A photo of your book is not acceptable.
eBooks must be submitted in PDF format. ePub, Mobi, html, or other ebook file formats will not be assigned to judges or reviewed.
Previous titles entered in FAPA President’s Book Awards may not be reentered.
FAPA board members are permitted to enter books in the awards competition.
All contest categories will close at Midnight EST on April 30, 2024.

JUDGING

All entries are assessed and scored by three judges.

Those judges are librarians, educators, and professionals from the publishing industry (editors, illustrators, publishers, etc.).

Entries are judged on content, theme, layout, editing, and appropriateness and relevancy in the category entered. Cover design elements are also considered.

Entries in any of the Cover Design or Picture Book categories are judged by professional illustrators and are scored on quality of image, creativity, and placement of text in addition to content, theme, layout, and appropriateness and relevancy in the category entered.

Medals are awarded on a merit-based system. Unlike sporting events where only the top three entries in a category receive an award regardless of their quality, FAPA awards medals based upon the quality of each book. For example, if three entries in a category receive high enough scores to warrant a gold medal, all three entries will receive that award.

The Florida Authors and Publishers Award represents examples of excellence in writing and publishing. Books with notable flaws in editing or that are missing major elements of book design are not likely to receive an award.

AWARDS CEREMONY

Winners will be announced in our June newsletter and on our website. Additionally, each winner will receive a congratulatory email from the president in the first week of June. However, the specific award, gold, silver, and bronze, will not be revealed until our awards ceremony held in conjunction with FAPA’s annual convention in August.

Authors who are unable to attend the awards ceremony will receive their medal in the mail sometime in the month of August. FAPA will mail your medal to the address on your submissions form. If your address has changed, please notify the president in order to prevent a delay in receiving your medal.