Alberta Book of the Year Award

There are six Book of the Year award categories. Each award is presented to an Alberta publisher for the best book in its category:

  • Trade Fiction Book of the Year: a book of fiction published primarily for the trade or bookstore market.
  • Trade Non-Fiction Book of the Year: a book of non-fiction published primarily for the trade or bookstore market.
  • Educational Book of the Year: a book or instructional package published specifically for the elementary or secondary school market.
  • Scholarly and Academic Book of the Year: a book published primarily for the post-secondary, post-graduate or other academic or scholarly market.
  • Children and Young Adult Book of the Year: a book published for the children’s or young adult market, including fiction, non-fiction and picture books
  • Poetry: a book of poetry published primarily for the trade or bookstore market.

Eligibility

  1. Publishers do not have to be members of the BPAA to apply but must meet eligibility guidelines as follows.
  • A publisher will: have its chief office of business located in Alberta; be at least 80% beneficially owned by Canadian citizens or landed immigrants, or be fully owned and controlled by Canadian institutions or associations that are 80% controlled by Canadian citizens or landed immigrants;
  • have effective managerial and editorial control by people domiciled in Alberta, and financial control in the hands of people living in Canada;
  • and publish original Canadian books as a primary and not an occasional activity.
  1. Books entered must have been published between January 1 and December 31, 2011.
  2. Revised editions are eligible only if revisions are significant and include at least 25% new text.

Criteria

  1. Books will be judged on innovation of content, quality of text including editing, and excellence in design and illustrations.
  2. Promotional activity and market acceptance will be considered. Publishers must provide a listing of promotional activities undertaken for each book, including author tours, book launches and other promotional events. Publishers must provide copies of reviews and details of media coverage.
Submissions
  1. Submissions shall consist of the completed entry form, 3 copies of each title, 3 copies of supporting documents and a cheque or money order for an administration fee of $25 per title per category.
  2. Books may be entered for more than one award. Each publisher may submit up to 3 titles per award category. If submitting a title for more than one award, please enclose 3 copies of the book for the first category in which it is entered, and 2 copies of the book for each subsequent category.

    Note: It is to your benefit to include as much information as possible. Please include exact sales figures, in number of copies sold, for each title submitted.
Submission Deadline

The deadline for submissions is Monday, February 27, 2012.

For more information, please contact the Book Publishers Association of Alberta at (780) 424-5060, or by email.

Previous Winners of:

Trade Fiction and Trade Non-Fiction Book of the Year

Educational Book of the Year

Lois Hole Award for Editorial Excellence

Scholarly and Academic Book of the Year

Children's Book of the Year

Poetry