The 8th Annual CWA Book of the Year Awards
We look forward to reading your submission to the 2018 Book of the Year Awards! Submissions will be accepted June 1, 2018 through August 1, 2018. Entries postmarked after August 1, 2018 will be disqualified.
Winners will be honored at a ceremony at The Book Cellar on Saturday, January 19, 2019.
Download and print the PDF entry form. It will give you all the pertinent details and the mailing address. Complete the form and send it with your book (one entry per person) and a check for the entry fee (CWA members: $15.00, Non-members: $25.00). If you prefer to pay by PayPal, click below, and include a copy of your receipt with your entry.
The Book of the Year Contest Guidelines
The contest is open to members and non-members. Submissions open on June 1st and close on August 1st. Entries must have a publication date between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 (date of first publication). We accept only hard copies (paperback or hardbound books) which must be mailed with an entry form and postmarked by August 1st to qualify. Download the entry form for the address.
Digital books are not accepted.
Winners will be chosen in four categories:
Traditional Fiction
Published by the “Big 5”, independent publishers or small presses that do not charge the author a publishing fee.
Indie Fiction
Self-published, print-on-demand, or published by a house that charges the author a publishing fee.
Traditional Nonfiction
Published by the “Big 5”, independent publishers or small presses that do not charge the author a publishing fee.
Indie Nonfiction
Self-published, print-on-demand, or published by a house that charges the author a publishing fee
Winners will receive a cash prize of $250, an engraved award, a $50 gift card to The Book Cellar, Book of the Year stickers for their books and publication of first chapter in CWA’s Write City Magazine.
2017
Traditional Fiction: The Virginity of Famous Men by Christine Sneed
Indie Fiction: out the door! by M.L. Collins
Traditional Nonfiction: Algren: A Life by Mary Wisniewski
Indie Nonfiction: Of This Much I’m Sure by Nadine Kenney Johnstone
Spirit Award: Suzy Takacs, owner of The Book Cellar and supporter of Chicago writers and the literary community
2016
Traditional Fiction: The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay
Non-Traditional Fiction: A Bitter Pill to Swallow by Tiffany Gholar
Traditional Nonfiction: The Defender: How the Legendary Black Newspaper Changed America by Ethan Michaeli
Non-Traditional Nonfiction: Hugh Hefner’s First Funeral and Other True Tales of Love and Death in Chicago by Pat Colander
Spirit Award: Donald G. Evans, founder and executive director of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
2015
Traditional Fiction: Old Heart: A Novel by Peter Ferry
Non-Traditional Fiction: The Wet Nose of Danger by James Finn Garner
Traditional Nonfiction: Empire of Deception: The Incredible Story of a Master Swindler Who Seduced a City and Captivated the Nation by Dean Jobb
Non-Traditional Nonfiction: a different kind of same by Kelley Clink
Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Thomson, founder and director of Literature for All of Us
2014
Traditional Fiction: The Hundred-Year House by Rebecca Makkai
Non-Traditional Fiction: Carpe Diem, Illinois (A Leo Townsend novel) by Kristin A. Oakley
Traditional Nonfiction: Meaty by Samantha Irby
Non-Traditional Nonfiction: Famous Ski Hills in Wisconsin by Scott Jacobs
2013
Traditional Fiction: Good Kings Bad Kings by Susan Nussbaum
Non-Traditional Fiction: 30 Days to Empathy, by The 31 and Jay C. Rehak (Editor)
Traditional Nonfiction: We Hope You Like This Song by Bree Housley
Non-Traditional Nonfiction: Any Road Will Take You There by David W. Berner
2012
Traditional Fiction: The Temple of Air by Patricia Ann McNair
Non-Traditional Fiction: Coming Out Can Be Murder by Renee James
Traditional Nonfiction: Whiskey Breakfast: My Swedish Family, My American Life by Richard C. Lindberg
Non-Traditional Nonfiction: Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back by Kelly Farley
2011
Traditional Fiction: Portraits of a Few of the People I’ve Made Cry by Christine Sneed
Non-Traditional Fiction: Honk Honk, My Darling: A Rex Koko Private Clown Mystery by James Finn Garner
Traditional Nonfiction: Three Wishes: A True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on our Way to Love and Motherhood by Pamela Ferdinand, Carey Goldberg and Beth Jones
Non-Traditional Nonfiction: Giants in the Park: A Guide to Portrait Statues in Chicago’s Lincoln Park by Krista August
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