The BookLife Prize - Now Open
Each Entry Receives a Publishable Assessment by a Publishers Weekly Reviewer and a Chance to Win the $5,000 grand prize or the $1,000 category prize; BookLife Members Receive a Special Discount

"Contest entry fees are typically just a tax on naivete, but [with BookLife Prize], every submission receives something of value: a written evaluation by a Publishers Weekly reviewer." – The Washington Post

The BookLife Prize is an annual writing contest sponsored by BookLife and Publishers Weekly that seeks to support independent authors and discover great books.  The BookLife Prize has two Contests:

Fiction Contest

• Entry period April 1, 2024, through August 30, 2024 - now open.
• Five categories: Romance/Erotica; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror; General Fiction; YA/Middle Grade.

Nonfiction Contest

• Entry period October 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025 - now closed.
• Four categories: Memoir/Autobiography; Self-Help; Inspirational/Spiritual; and Business/Personal Finance.

Both Contests of the Prize are judged by PW reviewers, editors, acclaimed authors, and publishing veterans.

Prizes

The grand prize winner for both the Fiction and Nonfiction Contest of the BookLife Prize will receive $5,000 as well as an author profile in Publishers Weekly.  

All finalists will receive a blurb from a bestselling/award-winning author or professional editor serving as a guest judge for the contest, as well as mention in Publishers Weekly. Plus they each receive $1,000 worth of BookBaby's Facebook + Instagram for Authors.

All entrants will receive a Critic’s Report, which includes a score as well as a brief written critical assessment of their book by a Publishers Weekly reviewer.  (Click here to see examples of Critic's Reports.)

See What Prize Winner T.J. Slee Says about the BookLife Prize

How To Enter

Regular price for entry is $129, but BookLife members receive a discount when using a special promotional code. BookLife members can enter by logging in to BookLife, going to the project page for the book or manuscript they want to enter, and clicking on the "Enter Your Book in a Contest" link over to the "BookLife Prize" headline.  Click here for detailed instructions. Or watch this instructional video:

See What Prize Winner Ian Andrew Says about the BookLife Prize

Complete Information

Click here for complete infomation about the BookLife Prize.