ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA) has issued a call for entries for the 26th annual Midwest Book Awards.
The deadline for entries is Dec. 30.
The awards program has recognized creativity in content and execution, overall book quality and the book’s unique contribution to its subject area since 1990. Books published in 2015 by publishers located in one of the following 12 Midwest states are eligible to enter: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Books may be entered in 30 categories, from illustrated children’s books and genre fiction to arts, philosophy, religion and coffee table books. There are also categories recognizing titles for illustration and design. Three finalists will be selected in each category and one winner chosen. Finalists and award winners will receive certificates and tickets to the Midwest Book Awards Gala. Each winning entry also will receive a bronze medallion. The winners will be announced at the 26th annual Midwest Book Awards Gala, which will be in May in St. Paul.
“This awards program celebrates excellence in the literary arts in the Midwest,” said Sherry Roberts, Midwest Book Awards chairwoman. “More than 180 books were entered in last year’s competition from ‘self-publishers,’ small- and medium-sized independent publishers and historical society and university presses. We applaud the quality in publishing in the Midwest and are looking forward to seeing all the great books published this year.”
Changes in this year’s competition include having three independent judges (instead of two), moving up the deadline to give the judges more time with entries and reducing the number of categories (a maximum of three) that one title can be entered in. All entries receive copies of the judges’ scoring and feedback.
Entry fees are $70 per title (includes first category) for MIPA members and $135 per title (includes first category) for nonMIPA members. Submission for each additional category (maximum of three) is $30. Publishers can save money by joining MIPA for a yearly fee of $50. Entry forms are available online at http://mipa.org/enter-books or request an entry form at [email protected].
