Why Self-Published Authors Should Submit to Multiple Awards
If you've self-published a book, you already know the climb to visibility is steep. One of the smartest moves you can make is submitting to book awards—not just for the trophy, but for the credibility, the marketing assets, and the psychological boost that comes with an award win.
But here's the catch: submitting to just one award is risky. What if your book doesn't place? What if the judging criteria don't align with your genre? The real strategy is to submit to multiple awards simultaneously—different ones that fit your book, your timeline, and your budget.
The problem? Managing multiple submissions across different platforms, with different deadlines, fee structures, and submission requirements, can quickly become a logistical nightmare.
The Chaos of Untracked Submissions
Let's paint a realistic picture. You're a self-published author with a literary fiction novel. You find five awards that seem like a good fit. You submit to Award A, pay $49, and get a confirmation email. Two weeks later, you submit to Award B ($35), then Award C ($60). You get distracted by marketing, writing your next book, and suddenly you can't remember:
- Which awards you've already paid for
- When the judging results come back
- What the submission requirements were for each one
- How much you've spent in total
- Whether you need to follow up or if results are automatic
You miss a deadline. You submit to the wrong category. You pay twice by accident. The fees add up faster than you expected. This is where most indie authors lose momentum—not because their book isn't good, but because the admin work derails the strategy.
Build a Submission Tracking System
The solution is simple: create a system before you start submitting. You don't need fancy software (though we'll mention tools later). A spreadsheet works fine, but it needs to capture the right information.
What to Track for Each Submission
- Award name — Full name and website link
- Genre/category — Which category you're submitting to
- Submission deadline — The absolute cutoff date
- Results announcement date — When winners are announced
- Entry fee — How much you paid
- Submission status — Pending, submitted, judging, results received
- Result — Won, finalist, shortlisted, no placement
- Notes — Any special requirements or follow-up actions
Create columns for each of these in a Google Sheet or Excel file. As you research and submit to awards, fill it in immediately. This takes 30 seconds per entry and saves you hours of confusion later.
Set Calendar Reminders
Don't rely on memory. Add every deadline and results date to your calendar with a 2-week advance reminder. This gives you time to prepare any required materials (like a bio or press release) and ensures you don't accidentally miss a cutoff.
How to Choose Which Awards to Submit To
Before you start submitting everywhere, be strategic. Submitting to 20 awards costs money and time. Submitting to 5 well-chosen awards is smarter.
Evaluate Awards by These Criteria
- Genre fit — Does the award accept your genre? Some awards are genre-specific (romance, sci-fi, mystery); others are general. Match your book to the right category.
- Judging quality — Who are the judges? Are they industry professionals, bestselling authors, or bots? Research the award's reputation. Awards with credible judges carry more weight in the market.
- Fee vs. value — Some awards cost $50, others $150. What do you get? Marketing materials, press coverage, embeddable badges? A higher fee isn't always bad if the award gives you assets you can use.
- Timeline alignment — If you're launching in August, don't submit to awards with June deadlines. Plan so results come back before or shortly after your launch.
- Audience relevance — Does this award's audience match your target readers? An award from a niche literary journal may be more valuable to literary fiction readers than a broad "best book" competition.
Mix Award Types
Consider submitting to a mix:
- 1–2 prestigious, selective awards (higher fees, lower acceptance rates, big credibility boost if you win)
- 2–3 mid-tier awards (moderate fees and acceptance rates, good balance of effort and payoff)
- 1–2 niche or genre-specific awards (lower fees, higher likelihood of placement, audience fit)
This spread increases your chances of at least one win while managing risk and cost.
Tools to Streamline Your Submission Process
Beyond a spreadsheet, a few tools can make submissions easier:
Manuscript Management
Keep your manuscript, cover, and metadata (ISBN, ASIN, description) in one folder. Most awards ask for similar information. Having it ready means you're not hunting for files or retyping your book description for the tenth time.
Email Templates
Create a template email for any follow-up questions or clarifications. Copy, customize, send. It's faster than writing from scratch each time.
Award Submission Platforms
Some platforms, like BookyAwards, let you buy submission credits and submit multiple times without re-entering your manuscript details. If you're planning to submit to several awards, platforms that consolidate the process save time and reduce the chance of errors. You upload once, then submit to different categories or tiers without re-uploading.
Calendar Sync
Use Google Calendar or Outlook to sync deadline reminders across your devices. Set alerts for 2 weeks before, 1 week before, and 3 days before each deadline.
Budget Planning for Multiple Submissions
Submission fees add up. If you're submitting to 5 awards at an average of $60 each, that's $300. For 10 awards, it's $600. This is a legitimate business expense—many indie authors budget $500–$1,000 per book for award submissions.
Create a Submission Budget
- Decide how much you're willing to spend (e.g., $300–$500)
- Divide by the average fee to see how many awards you can afford
- Prioritize the awards that offer the best ROI (credibility, marketing assets, audience fit)
- Track spending in your spreadsheet so you don't exceed budget
Remember: an award win pays dividends. The credibility boost, the marketing assets, the ability to use "award-winning" in your copy—these compound over time. It's not just a cost; it's an investment in your author brand.
After You Submit: What to Expect
Once submissions are sent, the waiting begins. Most awards take 4–12 weeks to announce results. During this time:
- Update your tracking sheet — Mark submissions as "judging in progress"
- Don't obsess — Focus on writing or marketing your next project
- Prepare for wins — Have a plan for how you'll use award badges and press releases once you get them
- Follow up if needed — Some awards email results; others require you to check a website. Check your confirmation emails for details
What to Do When Results Arrive
When you get results—whether a win, finalist placement, or no placement—update your tracking sheet immediately. If you've won or placed:
- Download all marketing assets (badges, certificates, press release templates)
- Update your author bio and website with the award mention
- Use the award in your book's Amazon listing and metadata
- Share on social media and in your newsletter
If you didn't place, don't get discouraged. You've gathered data. Some awards may not have been the right fit. Use the feedback (if available) to refine your submission strategy for the next book.
The Long-Term Advantage of Organized Submissions
Authors who track their submissions carefully build a portfolio of award wins over time. Your first book might win one award. Your second book might win three. By your third or fourth book, you're submitting to awards with a track record of wins, which actually makes submissions easier to manage and more likely to succeed.
The key is starting organized. A simple spreadsheet, clear deadlines, and a realistic budget set you up for success without the chaos.
Final Thoughts: Submit Smart, Not Scattered
Submitting your self-published book to multiple awards is a proven strategy for building credibility and gaining marketing assets. But the real competitive advantage comes from managing those submissions strategically. A tracking system, a clear budget, and a mix of well-chosen awards turn what could be a chaotic process into a repeatable, scalable strategy.
Start with your spreadsheet. Research 5–10 awards that fit your genre and timeline. Submit to 3–5 of them in your first round. Track everything. When results come in, celebrate the wins and learn from the misses. By your second or third book, you'll have a process that works—and a growing list of award wins to show for it.
