FINAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - 2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
FINAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - 2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
FINAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - 2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
FINAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - 2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
FINAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - 2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
FINAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - 2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
ONE ENTRY
A single book submission qualifies an author for consideration on the Longlist, as a Category Winner, and as an Author of the Year—along with eligibility for the grand prize: the 2026 Luminary Prize in Fiction or Nonfiction.
$49 per title
(Example: One book in two categories equals $98.00--requires separate $49 transactions)
*AWARD TIMELINE*
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 12/1/2026
ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: 12/21/2026
SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
• Submit your entry fee online.
• Email a copy of your completed entry form, along with a PDF copy of your book (including the cover), to "admin@personsoftheyear.com."
• Attach an author bio and any previous press releases or marketing materials for each title (if available).
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS SUBMISSION FORM
THE 2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Featuring the Prestigious Luminary Prize
Celebrating Extraordinary Authors. Honoring Exceptional Books. Inspiring Generations of Readers.
Presented by PersonsOfTheYear.com, the 2026 Author of the Year Awards recognize outstanding literary achievement and the remarkable individuals whose words entertain, enlighten, challenge, and inspire.
Open to established and emerging writers from around the world, this international competition celebrates excellence across a diverse range of fiction and nonfiction genres. Whether through imaginative storytelling, powerful personal narratives, or thought-provoking nonfiction, the Awards honor authors whose work deserves recognition and a lasting place in the literary world.
Entry is just $49 per category. Authors are welcome to enter multiple categories to maximize their opportunities for recognition. Each category entered requires a separate $49 entry fee.
Four Prestigious Distinctions. One Extraordinary Celebration of Literature.
2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR — FICTION & NONFICTION
The competition's highest individual distinction, Author of the Year, will be awarded to two exceptional writers: one in Fiction and one in Nonfiction.
These prestigious honors celebrate authors whose complete collection of literary accomplishments demonstrate outstanding creativity, originality, craftsmanship, and the ability to make a meaningful connection with readers.
THE 2026 LUMINARY PRIZE — FICTION & NONFICTION
Reserved for truly exceptional books, the Luminary Prize recognizes the most outstanding literary work in each of the competition's two divisions.
One Fiction title and one Nonfiction title will receive this distinguished honor, celebrating books that rise above the field through intellectual depth, artistic achievement, influence, and total impact.
2026 CATEGORY WINNERS
Every official competition category will recognize a Category Winner, celebrating the outstanding book selected as the best in its respective genre or subject area.
With categories spanning literary fiction, thrillers, memoirs, history, inspirational writing, children's literature, and more, the competition provides meaningful recognition opportunities for authors across the literary spectrum.
Judged by People. Guided by Literary Excellence.
The Author of the Year Awards are committed to a rigorous, independent, and human-centered evaluation process.
Artificial intelligence is not used in any part of the judging or evaluation process.
Every submission is assessed by experienced human judges representing a range of literary backgrounds and disciplines. Entries are evaluated according to the qualities that define exceptional writing, including:
- Originality and creative vision
- Literary craftsmanship and quality of writing
- Narrative development and structure
- Depth of ideas, themes, and characterization
- Emotional resonance and reader engagement
- Overall literary merit and lasting impact
Our mission is to recognize authentic literary excellence while providing every eligible submission with fair and thoughtful consideration.
Recognition Beyond the Awards
Winning an Author of the Year Award, Luminary Prize, or Category Winner distinction represents more than a single moment of achievement. It is an enduring acknowledgment of an author's dedication, talent, and contribution to literature.
Honorees receive valuable opportunities for continued recognition, including:
- Lifetime Recognition: Permanent acknowledgment of their literary distinction on PersonsOfTheYear.com.
- Official Award Medallions: The right to display their respective award seals on book covers, author websites, promotional materials, and other marketing platforms.
- Author and Book Promotion: Featured recognition designed to introduce distinguished authors and their works to a broader literary audience.
- Professional Distinction: An achievement authors can proudly highlight in biographies, press releases, media kits, and future publications.
These honors celebrate not only the books themselves but also the creative people behind them.
OFFICIAL 2026 AWARD CATEGORIES
FICTION
- General Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery
- Suspense
- Thriller
- Romance
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- Spiritual Fiction
- Psychological Fiction
- Literary Fiction
- Inspirational Fiction
- Religious Fiction
- Women's Fiction
- Young Adult Fiction
- Debut Fiction
- Short Story or Novella
- Children's Fiction
- Children's Picture Book
- Sports Fiction
NONFICTION
- General Nonfiction
- Narrative Nonfiction
- Autobiography / Memoir
- Biography
- Debut Nonfiction
- History
- Inspirational
- True Crime
- Self-Help
- Business
- Education / Academic Writing
- Health / Wellness
- Religion / Spirituality
- Poetry
- Children's / Young Readers
- Sports
- Social Change
SPECIAL CATEGORY
Legacy Titles — Fiction or Nonfiction works originally published before 2022.
Your Words Deserve to Be Recognized.
Behind every remarkable book is an author with a story to tell, a perspective to share, or an idea capable of changing how we see the world.
The 2026 Author of the Year Awards exist to celebrate those voices, honor their achievements, and help exceptional literature reach new audiences.
Whether you are a first-time author or an established literary voice, your work deserves the opportunity to stand among the year's most distinguished books.
2026 AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Entry Fee: $49 per Category
Presented by PersonsOfTheYear.com
Extraordinary belongs to those who create it.
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