What Should Authors Do When They Win An Award?

Every year, scores of book awards are open to authors -- of all genres -- to submit their books for consideration of an award. Many writers don’t know which awards even exist, they miss application deadlines, or they lack confidence in themselves and fail to submit their book. But what of those authors who know what to do, submit on time, pay the entrance fees, and courageously put their book out for judgment – and become a finalist or actually win?

 

First, they must pinch themselves to know this is real and then they tell all of their friends, family, and those who made their book possible.

 

Next, they look to update their biography on their web site and on any social media profiles.

 

Third, they incorporate the award into their elevator speech, so whenever they speak if of themselves a writer it is not as “an award-winning writer.”

 

Fourth, add this credential to your press kit, your email signature, and your amazon page. Put it on your business card or any marketing materials such as flier.

 

Fifth, place it on your book cover with a sticker, physical or digital.

 

Sixth, mention it when you submit a query to a book publisher or a literary agent.

 

Seventh, announce your award success n a press release and send it to local media, book publishing media, your alumni association publication. And the media associated with your genre or industry.

 

Eighth, highlight it in your social media posts, in your own blog or podcast, and on your YouTube channel.

 

Ninth, if you have a newsletter, give yourself some ink over the award.

 

Lastly, ask the award provider what they are doing to promote their award results, and ask how you can participate in their marketing efforts. They may want you to attend an awards ceremony or to pay for an ad in a trade publication. You can attend if the cost is minimal and you want to bask on your glory, but the ad is likely not worthwhile.

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him