Press release - 13thJanuary 2021 -www.thediversebookawards.co.uk
The Diverse Book Awards 2021 - Open For Nominations!
London, United Kingdom, 13thJanuary 2021:Following a stellar inaugural year, The Diverse Book Awards is now officially open to nominations from UK-based publishers and authors, for diverse and inclusive books published any time during 2020.
The year we'd all love to forget—but will always remember—2020 was hugely challenging for many publishers and authors. However, The Diverse Book Awards 2021 is looking for the best diverse and inclusive books to showcase publishing at its finest... despite adversity.
The awards are free to enter and are open to books regardless of their route to publication, therefore self-published authors are invited to nominate their own books, and indie, collaborative, hybrid and traditional publishers are all welcome at the table!
To submit your book for nomination visit: https://www.thediversebookawards.co.uk/enter-the-db-awards-2021
The longlist will be announced in July 2021, the shortlist in September 2021 and the winners in October 2021.
Here's a reminder of the three winners of the three winners of The Diverse Book Awards 2020:
WINNER OF THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS - CHILDREN'S FICTION:
The Star Outside My Window by Onjali Q. Rauf (Orion Children's Books)
WINNER OF THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS - YA FICTION:
Chinglish: An Almost Entirely True Story by
Sue Cheung (Andersen Press)
WINNER OF THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS - ADULT FICTION:
This Green and Pleasant Land by Ayisha Malik (Zaffre/Bonnier)
Last year, more than 50 submissions were received for the first ever Diverse Book Awards created by writing community The Author School (www.theauthorschool.com) between January and May 2020. This year, the co-founders, award-winning children's/YA author Abiola Bello and prize-winning publicist Helen Lewis, are expecting this number to increase - despite the pandemic.
Helen Lewis and Abiola Bello, co-founders of The Author School and The Diverse Book Awards, say:"In 2020, we saw plenty of books pushed back due to the pandemic, but we also saw a lot of energy invested into the creation of some high-quality, stand-out diverse and inclusive books. We hope that following the success of our first year, more and more authors and publishers feel compelled to nominate the books that represent their understanding of and appreciation for truly diverse and inclusive titles. Who knows what 2021 will bring, but one thing for sure, is that we have an amazing line-up of judges ready to read submissions, and incredible prizes for the ultimate winners. Being recognised in schemes like The Diverse Book Awards can have a hugely positive impact on the sales of a book, the profile of an author and build a buzz around a publisher. If you're a UK-based author/publisher and released a brilliant diverse and inclusive book in 2020... what are you waiting for?"
2021 Sponsors
The Diverse Book Awards 2021 are sponsored by
Pen & Inc (www.cilip.org.uk/page/penandinc)
Tiny Revolution (www.thetinyrev.com)
Bad Form (www.badformreview.com)
Simon & Schuster (www.simonandschuster.co.uk)
World Book Day UK (www.worldbookday.com)
Wigtown YA Festival (www.wigtownbookfestival.com)
World of Diversity (worldofdiversity.co.uk)
Back to Books (www.backtobooks.co.uk)
and award-winning book publicity agency Literally PR (www.literallypr.com)
2021 Prizes
The winners in each category will receive a bundle of prizes including a beautiful glass trophy, a six-month PR and marketing membership of Literally PR's ‘100 Club', a feature online and virtual event with Back To Books, editorial content in Bad Form and Pen&Inc, the opportunity to be part of two author panel events - one hosted by The Author School and the other by Simon & Schuster. The Children's winner will have their book featured as part of World Book Day Story Book Club and participate in a school visit organised by World of Diversity. The YA winner will be part of Wigtown YA Literary Festival programme and participate in a school visit organised by World of Diversity. The Children's and YA winners will be featured on Tiny Revolution's website and included in their catalogue of books.
Notes to editors
Abiola Bello and Helen Lewis are available for media interviews.
Award enquiries tohello@thediversebookawards.co.uk.
Media enquiries toinfo@literallypr.com.
Full terms and conditions are available online:https://www.thediversebookawards.co.uk/enter-the-db-awards-2020
Link to view the 2020 awards ceremony online:https://youtu.be/ytqSiHglgjA