Gina Rae Mitchell

Let’s Talk About BBNYA | What is it? How does it benefit #IndieAuthors? How do I become a panelist? | @BBNYA_Official @Foliosociety @The_WriteReads

I talk a lot about BBNYA on the blog. So, precisely what is BBNYA?

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) is an annual competition highlighting and recognizing the best self-published and indie-published books. It is unique because it is entirely judged by a panel of book bloggers, giving independent authors the chance to have their works reviewed by passionate readers and influencers in the book community.

Here’s how it works:

1. Submission and Entry: Authors submit their books to be considered. These books are usually self-published or from indie publishers, and the focus is on giving exposure to authors who may not have the marketing reach of traditionally published books.
2. Judging Process: A large group of book bloggers judges the competition in several rounds. Books are gradually eliminated throughout the rounds, with feedback provided to the authors.
3. Rounds:
   • Round 1 involves shortlisting books from the submissions based on first impressions, covering elements like cover, blurb, and sample chapters.
   • Round 2 focuses on reading more of the books, where judges provide more detailed reviews.
   • Final Round sees a selection of top books judged on their entire content to determine the winners.
4. Benefits for Authors: Beyond the recognition, authors benefit from reviews by participating bloggers, creating buzz for their books within the book blogging community, which can lead to broader exposure and more readers.

BBNYA is a platform that celebrates indie talent, offering a democratic way for bloggers and readers to uplift hidden gems in the literary world.

For the average reader, the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) offers several benefits:

1. Discovering Hidden Gems: Since BBNYA focuses on self-published and indie-published authors, readers get the chance to discover high-quality books that may not be as widely advertised or easily found in mainstream bookstores.
2. Curated Recommendations: The books in the competition are judged by experienced book bloggers, so readers can trust that passionate, knowledgeable reviewers have vetted the shortlisted and winning titles.
3. Diverse Genres and Stories: Indie authors often explore unique and diverse stories, sometimes venturing into niche genres or offering fresh perspectives. BBNYA introduces readers to a broader variety of genres and storytelling styles than they might find in traditional publishing.
4. Support for Indie Authors: By reading books from BBNYA, readers can directly support talented indie authors, helping them gain more recognition and success in a highly competitive industry.
5. Book Blogger Insights: Following the reviews and feedback provided by the book bloggers involved in the award can help readers find trusted voices that align with their tastes, leading to more personalized recommendations in the future.
6. Discovering New Voices Early: Many successful indie authors gain traction through awards like BBNYA before becoming more widely known. Readers who follow the award can become early fans of rising authors, experiencing their work before they potentially reach larger audiences.

The Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, especially among the indie and self-published author communities, as well as book bloggers and readers who follow these spaces. While it may not have the same global recognition as long-established literary awards, BBNYA has carved out a strong niche for itself in the indie publishing world.

Several factors have contributed to its growing popularity:

1. Growing Indie Publishing Scene: With the rise of self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and the increasing quality of indie books, awards like BBNYA have become more relevant as readers seek out standout indie titles.
2. Book Blogger Community Support: BBNYA is powered by an extensive network of book bloggers, and their engagement helps boost the competition’s visibility. Many book bloggers promote the award on social media, their websites, and review platforms, creating buzz and attracting readers.
3. Indie Author Interest: Indie authors view BBNYA as an excellent opportunity for exposure. Winning or even being shortlisted can lead to increased book sales, new reviews, and wider recognition, which makes it appealing to many up-and-coming writers.
4. Reader Engagement: More readers are discovering BBNYA through book bloggers, Goodreads, and social media platforms, where bloggers share their reviews and thoughts on the competition’s entrants.

While BBNYA isn’t a household name like the Man Booker Prize or the Hugo Awards, it’s becoming increasingly popular within the indie literary community and among readers seeking fresh, unique voices outside traditional publishing avenues.

So you might be asking, “What does all this mean for me?”

As an independently published author, you should be entering your books in the BBNYA competition. While the 2024 awards are wrapping up, it’s not too early to be thinking about what book you should enter for 2025.

Here is the link for more information about entering: Requirements to enter!

As an avid reader, you need to keep an eye out for all the blog and social media posts to learn about the fantastic books competing this year. And perhaps you would be interested in becoming a panelist for 2025.

Everyone can search the hashtag #BBNYA2024 on all social media sites to find the incredible books from this year. The semi-finalists are currently having a blog tour. The 59 semi-finalists each have a tour date when the panelists spotlight and promote their book. There was a tie, so an extra book made the finals!

I am spotlighting one semi-finalist every day from November 7th through December 4th.

Click here to view all my #BBNYA2024 Spotlights!

BBNYA is for everyone. This year, I have read excerpts and full books from nearly all fiction genres, from Middle-Grade to Adult and historical fiction to fantasy to romance to thrillers. It’s a fantastic way to discover new authors and promote Independent Authors who don’t have a large publishing firm to promote their work.

If you have any questions, please reach out through the comments or contact BBNYA.

 

A portion of this post was shared in author Lou Kemp’s monthly newsletter!