In the children’s book world, the most exciting day is when the American Library Association announces its annual awards: Newbery, Caldecott, Pura Belpre, Coretta Scott King, Alex, William Morris, Batchelder, Schneider, and more. You can watch the livestream announcements here on January 27, 2025.
Since 2000, I’ve been saying that there will come a day when an indie book wins one or more of these awards. It’s coming. It’s just a matter of time.
As the self-publishing industry matures, more and more indie publishers have experience in publishing well and making a splash in the marketplace. In 2022, The Passport Project by Kellie McIntyre was mentioned on the Heavy Medal blog as a Newbery contender. Since then, it’s been included in several recommended book lists:
2024 CALIFORNIA Dept of Education Recommended Reading List for Grades 6-8, 2024
INDIANA Read Aloud Selection for Middle Grade
2024 MISSISSIPPI Magnolia Book Award Nominee.
Recognition for excellence in writing a book for kids is possible for anyone! But sadly, this doesn’t happen enough.
So, this is my annual recommendation that you submit your books for consideration for awards. The American Library Association is full of feisty, independent readers who champion books and bring them to kids. Anyone can submit to their awards by simply asking the ALA for a list of committee members (Do this in March! Give them a rest after Monday’s work!). The request should come from your publishing contact email and, of course, should be a professional request. Contact Awards Coordinator Ana Puente Cackley.
Beyond the ALA awards are many others. I’ve posted links to children’s book awards here. You’ll see that there are awards for fiction and nonfiction, picture books to YA, and more. Read the guidelines for submission and find a couple to send your book to this year! (I just nominated two books!)
Let’s get some recognition for our books this coming award season!
As always, this is great. Here is an award that accepts children's books - including indie - that you should add to your list: https://www.willrogersmedallionaward.net/
It was at the upper reaches of what I was willing to pay for an entry but since my book fit the niche category, I decided to give it a go.