What We’re Looking For
We’re not looking for the next Pulitzer Prize contender or stories you need a PhD in Classical Studies to understand.
We’re looking for great books that are worthy of telling our friends about. We’re looking for thought-provoking stories that prompt insightful conversations. We’re looking for poetry that makes us feel the rhythm in its words, books that can guide us and children’s books that our kids ask for before falling asleep.
Give us what readers want. A damn good book.
2023 Submissions are now closed. Submissions for 2024 are now open.
Book Submission Criteria
Eligibility
- Self-published, traditionally published, and hybrid-published books are welcome
- Books must be published in English
- Books must be published within the last 6 years (2018-2024)
- Authors must have the copyright to their book
- Books must be published and available for purchase in physical form on Amazon (ebook-only publications are not eligible)
Categories
There are 13 categories in the 2024 awards:
- Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction: Memoirs
- Fiction
- Business/Self-Help
- Spirituality/Wellness
- Children’s
- Children’s: Early Readers
- Cookbooks
- Thriller/Mystery
- Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Romance
- YA (Young Adult Fiction)
- Poetry
- Anthology/Short-Story
*Please note, CBCA reserves the right to re-categorize submitted titles based on their content/genre.
2024 Submission fees:
- EARLY BIRD: Until January 10th, 2024: 129 CAD
- NEW YEAR: January 11th – March 31, 2024: $159 CAD
- SPRING: April 1 – June 30th, 2024: $199 CAD
- LAST CHANCE: July 1 – July 31, 2024: $249 CAD

Prizes
All Entries Receive
- CBCA social media exposure with links to purchase copies of submitted books on Amazon
- @TheCanadianBookClubAwards social media coverage
- 2023 CBCA GoodReads Reading list
Finalists Receive
- 100 award stickers labelling the author’s book as a “Finalist of The Canadian Book Club Awards”
- Digital award sticker to be added to book’s cover
- Mention in CBCA media coverage announcing all finalists
- @TheCanadianBookClubAwards social media coverage
Winners Receive
- 100 award stickers labelling the author’s book as a “Winner of The Canadian Book Club Awards”
- Digital award sticker to be added to book’s cover
- Media coverage announcing all finalists
- Social media coverage from @TheCanadianBookClubAwards and their sponsors
Selection Process & Judges
All entries will be judged by the Canadian Book Awards Avid Reader Group. This group of book-loving Canadians varies in careers, age, ethnicities and backgrounds. The Avid Reader Group is responsible for electing the final three books in each category.
Finalist books will be judged by Verified Readers across Canada who will read and review each book in their chosen category. Verified Readers will vote for their #1, #2 and #3 choices. Once the finalists are announced, the Verified Readers will have three months to purchase, read, and vote on their decision.
2023
Submission deadline: July 31st, 2023, 6pm pst
Finalists announced: Week of September 11th, 2023
Winners announced: December 4th, 2023
2024
Submission deadline: July 31, 2024 6pm pst
Finalists announced: Week of September 11th, 2024
Winners Announced: Week of December 4th, 2024
