Frequently Asked Questions

General

What are the Canadian Book Club Awards (CBCA)?

The Canadian Book Club Awards celebrate outstanding books chosen by readers, for readers. Submissions are reviewed by our Avid Reader Group, with finalists and winners ultimately selected through reader voting (our Verified Readers).

Who can submit a book?

Authors, publishers, or authorized representatives may submit a book, provided they own the copyright to both the book and its cover.

Do authors need to be Canadian?

No. Authors may be from anywhere in the world.
The Canadian Book Club Awards are open to international authors and publishers, provided all submission requirements are met.

Is CBCA open to all publishing types?

Yes. The Canadian Book Club Awards are open to all authors, regardless of publishing path. We welcome submissions from:

  • Traditionally published authors
  • Independent / self-published authors
  • Hybrid-published authors
  • Small and independent presses

What matters most is that your book meets our format, availability, and eligibility requirements — not how it was published.

Eligibility & Requirements

What formats must my book be available in?

All submitted books must be available in both:

  • EPUB format
  • Physical (print) format

You may submit either an EPUB or a physical copy for judging, but both formats must exist and be publicly available.

Do I need to submit both an EPUB and physical book?

No. You only need to submit one format:

  • An EPUB, or
  • Physical copies

However, if submitting physical copies, you must be prepared to send 3–5 copies to Avid Readers in Canada.

Are PDFs accepted?

No. PDFs are no longer accepted.
We require EPUBs to ensure accessibility and the best possible reading experience for our Avid Readers.

Retail Availability

Where must my book be available for purchase?

Your book must be available on:

  • kobo.com
  • indigo.com

Does my book need to be available elsewhere?

Ideally, yes. While not mandatory, we strongly encourage books to also be available through:

  • Libraries
  • Independent bookstores

This helps ensure accessibility for Verified Readers during the finalist voting period.

Submission Process

How much does it cost to submit?

Pricing depends on when you submit:

  • Early Bird: $199.99 CAD (Feb 11 – March 25, 2026)
  • Regular: $249.99 CAD (March 26 – August 28, 2026)
  • Last Chance: $299.99 CAD (Aug 29 – Oct 9, 2026)

All prices are subject to applicable taxes.

Can I submit more than one book?

Yes. Please submit one form per book and pay the submission fee for each entry.

What if my EPUB file is too large to upload?

No problem. Please:

  1. Upload a placeholder file in the EPUB upload field
  2. Email your EPUB directly to marketing@thecanadianbookclubawards.ca

Physical Book Submissions

If I submit physical copies, where do I send them?

Once your submission is complete, we’ll provide you with mailing addresses for our Avid Readers.

How many physical copies will I need to send?

Typically 3–5 copies, depending on the category.

Do you return physical books?

No. Physical submissions are not returned.

Avid Readers & Finalist Judging Process

Who are the Avid Readers?

Avid Readers are Canadian readers who have formally applied and been selected to participate in the Canadian Book Club Awards. They commit to reading and reviewing all submitted books within their assigned category during the judging period.

These readers are passionate, thoughtful, and dedicated to discovering great books — and they take their role seriously.

What is expected of an Avid Reader?

Avid Readers commit to:

  • Reading submissions in their assigned category
  • Evaluating each book fairly using CBCA’s judging criteria
  • Selecting the top three finalist titles in their category

How are books judged?

Avid Readers are asked to read at least 20 minutes of each submitted book. After that initial read, they assess the book using the following criteria:

✔ Professionalism – Has the book been professionally edited and presented?
✔ Pacing – Does the story flow well and hold the reader’s attention?
✔ Storyline / Plot – Is the narrative engaging and compelling?
✔ Overall Enjoyment – Did the reader enjoy the book?

📌 If an Avid Reader enjoys a book, they are encouraged to keep reading.
This deeper engagement helps them determine the strongest titles and ultimately select the top three finalists.

📌 If an Avid Reader does not enjoy a book, they may stop after 20 minutes.
In most cases, books that do not resonate at this stage are unlikely to move forward to the final round.

This process ensures that finalist selections reflect authentic reader enthusiasm, not just technical merit.

Verified Readers & Voting Process

Who are the Verified Readers?

Verified Readers are Canadian readers who sign up to participate in the final voting stage of the Canadian Book Club Awards. Unlike Avid Readers, Verified Readers do not apply and do not participate in the initial judging round.

Instead, they play a crucial role in determining the winners.

What is expected of a Verified Reader?

Verified Readers commit to:

  • Selecting one award category
  • Purchasing or borrowing the three finalist books in that category
  • Reading all three finalist titles in full
  • Submitting their vote by January 31, 2027

Verified Readers may purchase books through supported retailers or borrow them through libraries, friends, or independent bookstores.

How does Verified Reader voting work?

Once finalists are announced:

  • Verified Readers receive links to the top three finalist books in their chosen category
  • Readers are given just under three months to read all three books
  • Votes are submitted online by the stated deadline

Each vote helps determine the winning book in that category.

  • 📌 Verified Readers are asked to read all three finalist books in full to ensure fair and informed voting.
  • 📌 Only votes submitted by Canadian Verified Readers before January 31, 2027 are counted.

This final stage ensures CBCA winners are chosen by engaged, committed readers, making the awards truly reader-driven.

Criteria for voting: Did I love this book?

Promotion & Visibility

What happens if my book becomes a finalist?

If your book is selected as a finalist:

  • We issue a press release
  • Your book is promoted to our Verified Reader community
  • Purchase links are shared to support reader voting

Do you guarantee sales or awards?

No. While CBCA provides exposure to engaged readers, finalist placement and winning are determined entirely by reader voting.

Additional Questions

Where can I review award criteria before submitting?

Please review the Award Criteria page carefully before submitting to ensure your book is eligible for your chosen category.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Email us anytime at marketing@thecanadianbookclubawards.ca — we’re happy to help.