2021 Rules

(click here for printable version of rules) 

2021 NCPA Book Awards Competition

(for books published in 2020)

 Submission Criteria

• Books must have been published for sale in the 2020 calendar year, that is, between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.
• New, updated editions are acceptable as long as the update was published in 2020.
• To be considered “published,” copies of the book in its published form (not merely as galley or advanced reader copies) must have been on hand and available for sale to retail consumers on or before December 31, 2020 and not have been for sale earlier than January 1, 2020.
•  If the copyright year or Library of Congress year (if present) is not 2020, the entrant must supply supporting evidence that the book was “constructively” published in 2020.
• Book must be in printed form, unless entered in the e-book category.
• Submissions are due no later than February 28, 2021. Please submit as early as possible, so judges have time to read all entries.

Categories

Books will be accepted in the following categories:

• General Fiction
• General Non-Fiction
• Non-Fiction Memoir
• Children’s
• Young Adult
• Poetry
• Trade Publications

Rules, Regulations, and Fee Schedule

• The window period of acceptance of entries is August 1, 2020, to February 28, 2020.
• Entries may be made by an author or by the publisher of the book.
• Complete the online entry form, found here. Use the check boxes on the form to indicate categories in which you wish to have your book considered and complete all the necessary fields. Please note that if the judges feel that you've chosen the wrong category, they will move your book to the category they feel is proper.
• You have the option of submitting forms and payments online or printing out the form and sending it with your books and entry fee to the address below.
• Make payments on line using a credit card or a PayPal account. Alternatively, submit a check along with your books.
• You may enter as many books as you choose, but each book must be entered in only one general category. A separate fee must be submitted with each title.
• Four copies of each book must be submitted.
• All books entered will be considered for Design awards, which will be awarded to the publisher. The artist or designer need not be a member of NCPA.
• Please follow instructions on the entry form. Your entry may be disqualified and money forfeited if information is missing or incorrect.

Please send your books -- and, if applicable, fees and forms -- to the following address:

Sharon Darrow

NCPA Book Awards Coordinator

P.O. Box 214673

Sacramento, CA  95821

Other Rules & Information

1.     The "publisher" is defined as the person or company who owns the ISBN.

2.     An author may enter his or her own book.

3.     Judges are drawn from NCPA’s membership, the community, publishing professionals, and the media.

4.     No judge may submit works for consideration.

Judging Criteria

1.     Categories not having any entries will not be part of the year’s awards.

2.     Winners are determined at the sole discretion of the judges, based on NCPA policy, publishing merit, and literary merit.

Awards

1.     First, second, and third place awards may be awarded in each general book category.

2.     The judges may award “honorable mention” certificates at their discretion.

Winners

1.     Winners will be announced at the awards celebration and annual NCPA banquet,     

     TENTATIVELY scheduled for Sunday August 29, 2021. (PENDING COVID-19)

2.     Winners will be announced in general press releases sent to Northern California media.

3.     Winners will each receive a plaque/trophy.

4.     Winners will receive labels that they may use on their book covers. They will also receive, via email, a digital file of the award label artwork to incorporate into their book covers, should they wish to do so.

5.     Winners may use supplied label art in their marketing/promotional materials. Past winners have successfully used their NCPA awards to obtain media interest and increase sales.

6.     Winners will be featured on the NCPA website.