Reader Views Literary Awards
REVIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS
Honoring Excellence in Independent Publishing
Two Programs. Two Schedules. One Awards Season.
ABOUT THE AWARDS PROGRAM
Founded in 2005, the Reader Views Literary Awards honor excellence in independent publishing. Our program recognizes authors who self-publish or publish through small presses, hybrids, or university presses. Today, the awards operate in two seasonal tracks for Fiction and Non-Fiction, spotlighting impactful indie books across all genres and topics, and celebrating both new and established voices within the literary community.
FICTION AWARDS
Our Fiction Awards recognize outstanding storytelling across all genres, celebrating powerful voices and unforgettable narratives.
Entry Window: March 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026
Reviews Completed By: October 31, 2026
Final Judging Period: November 2026
Winners Announced: Late November 2026
All Entries Receive: A full professional editorial review and a detailed 20-point evaluation.
NON-FICTION AWARDS
Our Non-Fiction Awards honor exceptional works across all categories, welcoming a wide range of subjects and perspectives.
Entry Window: September 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
Reviews Completed By: April 30, 2027
Final Judging Period: May 2027
Winners Announced: Late May 2027
All Entries Receive: A full professional editorial review and a detailed 20-point evaluation.
WHAT AUTHORS ARE SAYING…
A Milestone Beyond Anything I Expected
“This milestone feels surreal. It’s knowing that independent reviewers and judges found something in my story worth celebrating. The Potion Experiment wasn’t selected randomly or through popularity; it was read, assessed, and scored. From a glowing review to an official award, this has been a joy and I couldn’t be more grateful.” ~Elle McFadzean, Author of “The Potion Experiment”
A Rewarding Experience from Start to Finish
My participation in the 2025 Reader Views writing competition has been fantastic from start to finish. The reviewer of my novel did an extremely thorough review of my novel, and I was thrilled to receive it earlier this year. I extracted excerpts for my book marketing, which gave me credibility as a debut author. I was then later excited to learn that I won the Silver Award for my genre, as well as a sponsored award. Overall, this has been a rewarding and uplifting experience.
Professionalism Every Step of the Way
I am very pleased and honored to have been awarded Finalist in the Reader Views Contest. I was previously very impressed with their objective review of my book, and then was further gratified by the Finalist award. A very professional organization and process.
An Award Experience That Exceeded Expectations
Winning Reader Views awards is an honor, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations. The entry process was smooth and prompt, and what stood out was the quality review and enthusiasm the team showed in giving results in a timely manner. Reader Views is passionate about celebrating indie authors; I’m grateful for their support! ~TK Sheffield, MA, stories for readers to laugh and escape, Wisconsin USA.
Excellence in Celebrating Indie Authors
Reader Views represents the highest standard of excellence when it comes to celebrating indie authors. From start to finish, its award program stands out.
Recognition That Feels Earned
I feel deeply honored to have received an excellent book review and to have been chosen for an award through Reader Views
A Fair and Reputable Awards Platform
For indie authors looking for a fair and reputable awards platform, I highly recommend Reader Views. Their team was professional, supportive, and made the entire process seamless.
