Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

(Updated 5 Apr 2025) This call for entries is for the 2025 Annual Self-Published Book Awards, a competition organised by Writer’s Digest. It is exclusively for self-published books.

APPLICATION WINDOW

CLOSED

DEADLINE

1 May 2025

PRIZES

Grand Prize winner:
- $10,000 in cash
- An interview with them in Writer’s Digest (March/April 2026 issue) and on WritersDigest.com
- A paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including trophy presentation at the keynote
- A coveted pitch opportunity where the winner will receive one on one attention from editors or agents
- Publication of an excerpt from their winning book on WritersDigest.com

First Prize winner in each category:
- $1,000 in cash
- Their name and the winning book's title published in Writer’s Digest (March/April 2026 issue) and on WritersDigest.com

All Grand Prize and First Prize winners will also win
- A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
- A one year subscription to Writer’s Digest Tutorials
- 20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
- A special graphic recognizing their winning status

Honourable Mention Winners will receive promotion on WritersDigest.com and a special graphic for use in promoting their selection.

All entrants will receive a brief commentary from one of the judges.

Note that an entry fee is required.
First entry—$100
Each additional entry—$85

OTHER KEY DATES

April 1, 2025: Early-Bird Deadline. After this date, the entry fee rises to:
First entry—$125
Each additional entry—$110

HOST COUNTRY

United States

Note that while some organisers may accept applications from all around the world, you may still be required to travel to the host country in order to take part in the later stages of a competition for instance, or you may be required to live there for a period of time to take part in a funded programme (e.g. scholarship, incubator, accelerator).

FIND OUT MORE

Credit: Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Date Added: 29 Dec 2021