SUBMISSIONS START SEPTEMBER 1

 

ABOUT THE CONTEST

Meet the World Image Solutions is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual For the Culture Book Awards, an exciting award program dedicated to recognizing and celebrating independent and traditionally published authors who uplift and enrich Black culture through fiction.

The For the Culture Book Award highlights  authors who have published stories that celebrate the essence of Black culture, history, and experiences. This award program is designed to provide these authors with the recognition and support they deserve, helping them reach broader audiences and achieve greater success.

 

 

ELIGIBILITY

The For the Culture Book Award is open to independent and traditionally published authors who have published stories that uplift Black culture. This contest is irrespective of genre. As long as it is a well-written fiction story, your book qualifies for this contest! All books must have been published in 2024 or later. Current Meet the World Image Solutions clients may not apply.

 

ENTRY

Entrants must also complete the For the Culture Book Award submission form and submit a copy of their book in either .pdf or physical format. If a .pdf is submitted, the copy must be the final published version, and must include an ISBN. 

The entry fee is $40 if submitted by September 15, $60 thereafter, and $80 for late entries. All entrants will receive promotion on all Meet the World Image Solutions social media platforms.

 

 

VOTING AND JUDGING

All entries will be posted on our Instagram page @mtwliteraryhorizons. Entrants will receive a custom social media graphic to promote their entry and gather votes, but the entry with the highest amount of votes may not necessarily be the winner!

Judging Criteria

  • Instagram votes 15%

  • Story quality 20%

  • Book cover 10%

  • Uplifting of African American culture 15%

  • Editing 40%

The top five entries will receive feedback from the judges. Winners will be notified by email and phone call. 

 

 

TIMELINE

August 1, 2025 - Contest award program announced

September 1, 2025 - Submission period opens

November 1, 2025 - Submission period closes

November 15, 2025 - Instagram voting begins

January 1, 2026 - Top 5 announced

February 1, 2026 - Winners announced

February 22, 2026 - Prize awarded at the Ivory and Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch

Winners will be responsible for their own travel and lodging if they opt to attend the Ivory and Cream Affair Literary Jazz Brunch.

 

 

First Prize: (Valued at $4,000)

  • $1000 cash prize

  • Framed certificate

  • Website badge

  • A feature article on Medium.com

  • Maximum exposure package (featured interview on Horizons Author Lounge podcast, extensive promotion across our social media platforms and website, Livestream interview on Amazon, Custom One-Sheet, 5 custom social media graphics, SEO-optimized press release creation and distribution)

  • Invitation to the Black History Month Literary Weekend Ivory and Cream Affair Jazz Brunch for prize presentation

 

Second Prize: (Valued at $2,500)

  • $500 cash prize

  • Framed certificate

  • Website badge

  • Premium exposure package (featured interview on Horizons Author Lounge podcast, extensive promotion across our social media platforms and website, Custom One-Sheet, inclusion in an SEO-optimized press release)

  • Invitation to the Black History Month Literary Weekend Ivory and Cream Affair Jazz Brunch for prize presentation

 

Third Prize: (Valued at $1,500)

  • $250 cash prize

  • Framed certificate

  • Website badge

  • Horizons exposure package (featured interview on Horizons Author Lounge podcast, extensive promotion across our social media platforms and website, inclusion in an SEO-optimized press release)

  • Invitation to the Black History Month Literary Weekend Ivory and Cream Affair Jazz Brunch for prize presentation

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JUDGING CRITERIA

  • Instagram votes

  • Story quality

  • Book cover

  • Uplifting of African American culture

  • Editing

     

Proceeds will benefit the Black History Month Literary Weekend and the Meet the World Image Solutions Scholarship Fund.

Legal disclaimers

Meet the World Image Solutions has the final say on all prize details, including the actual value of the prize. The winners are responsible for all expenses related to the prize, such as travel, taxes, upgrades, and shipping and handling. The winners also can't transfer the prize to someone else or request a cash equivalent. Meet the World Image Solutions  may also reserve the right to reschedule, modify, or cancel the contest, entry, or ticket-awarding dates. Failure to comply with the terms of the contest rules may result in forfeiture of the prize.