As independent publishers and authors, we know the uphill battle of earning credibility in a marketplace often dominated by traditional powerhouses. That’s why moments like the 2025 Selah Awards, where our Redemption Press authors took home multiple wins, including Book of the Year in Nonfiction, are more than just celebrations.
They’re strategic opportunities to elevate author credibility, expand visibility, and affirm the quality of independently published work.
But here’s the key: not all contests are created equal.
In today’s publishing landscape, contests have become a dime a dozen. Some are thinly veiled popularity contests. Others are money-makers with little discernment or industry influence. If we want contests to truly mean something, for our authors and our readers, we must choose carefully and steward these opportunities wisely.
Legitimate contests like The Selah Awards (hosted annually at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference) are judged by industry professionals who understand craft, voice, and impact. These aren’t popularity shows. They’re judged and juried, peer-reviewed acknowledgments of excellence, evaluated with objectivity and integrity.
When you enter your book into a respected contest and win—whether it’s first place, a finalist badge, or Book of the Year—you gain more than a trophy. You gain talking points. You gain promotional power. And most importantly, you gain credibility that tells your audience: This book has been vetted. This story matters.
For authors, contest wins can be leveraged in multiple ways:
- Add awards to your book cover or reprint run
- Update your Amazon and website descriptions with “Award-Winning Author”
- Share wins in media pitches, podcasts, or speaking bios
- Promote wins on social media as fresh content that builds engagement
At Redemption Press, we walk closely with authors from manuscript to marketplace, and we see firsthand how affirming, and strategic, award recognition can be. But it only works when it’s rooted in excellence, not ego.
A legitimate award is not about flaunting a gold sticker; or getting all your friends and family to vote multiple times for you. It’s about affirming the message and the mission behind the book. It’s about giving your audience another reason to trust your words, and take a chance on your story.
As we celebrate this year’s Selah Award winners, especially Giving Up Grace by Robin Gerblick, which was named Nonfiction Book of the Year, we’re reminded that independent publishing can hold its own when quality and calling come together.
That’s the beauty of contests done right. They don’t just validate a book, they amplify a message that matters.
So yes, pursue awards. Enter the right contests. And when those wins come, steward them with humility and strategy. Because in this noisy publishing world, well-earned recognition still speaks volumes.
