It’s a huge thrill when your book wins an award! They come in all shapes and sizes, from ones that are highly respected in the publishing industry to scammy ones that are essentially money-makers for the award company — taking authors’ money and not providing much in return. So how do you know which ones to apply for?

Here’s a secret: Even the awards that are not top-tier can help increase sales for your book, because they provide added credibility.

Here are some awards links to check out:

• Booklist has links to major contests, many of which are juried by the American Library Association.
• Foreword