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
Illustration of a stack of books.

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.

2024

Submission deadline: July 31, 2024 6pm pst

Finalists announced: Week of September 11th, 2024

Winners Announced: Week of December 4th, 2024

Illustration of The Canadian Book Club Award Winner and Finalist Stickers

Ready to Submit Your Book?

Fill in the form at the link below to provide us with details about your book. Authors must provide a digital copy of their book for judging.

Already Filled in the Submission Form?

To finish your submission, complete the payment of $159.99 CAD to finish your entry into the 2024 Canadian Book Club Awards!

Become a Verified Reader

Interested in judging the finalist’s books? Whether you’re a book club of one, two, or a group of 20+, we invite you to become a Canadian Book Club Awards Verified Reader.