Guidelines

Everything you need to know about entering the Illumination Book Awards

The Illumination Awards is all about celebrating the best Christian books from both independent and traditional publishers, as well as talented authors and illustrators. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about eligibility, the judging process, and how to enter your work.

Enter Online
Enter By Mail

WHO CAN ENTER

Authors, illustrators, publishers, and self-publishers of Christian books written in English are welcome to enter. You can submit your book directly online or by mail, and publishers may submit multiple entries on behalf of their authors and illustrators.

ELIGIBILITY

Books published with a copyright in 2023, 2024, or 2025, or released after January 1, 2023, are eligible for the contest. You can submit published books even if they don’t have an ISBN yet. If your finished copies aren’t available, you can send in galley copies instead. Publishers can choose one or more categories for their books to be judged in. eBooks are also welcome in our regular categories and will be judged alongside print books.

ENDURING LIGHT CATEGORIES

While many book awards focus only on titles from the last year or two, we created the Enduring Light medals to honor outstanding Christian-themed books published since 2000. These medals celebrate books in five categories: Christian Thought, Devotional, Inspirational, Christian Fiction, and Christian Children’s Books. Entry fees are the same as our regular categories, and we ask for two judging copies. Books published as far back as 2000, as well as current titles, are welcome!

SUBMISSION & FEES

You can submit your book in multiple categories, but there will be an entry fee for each one. Make sure to send one copy of your book for each category you enter. For example, if you enter two categories, please send two copies; if you enter three categories, send three copies. All submitted books will become property of the Jenkins Group and will be donated to local libraries and charities. eBooks will also be deleted after the awards results are announced.

Pricing for the Illumination Awards is as follows:

August 1-September, 30 2024: $89

October 1, 2024-January 8, 2025: $99

DEADLINES

All entries must be made online OR postmarked by January 8, 2025. Books have a 10-day grace period to arrive. We will confirm your entry via email.

JUUDGING PROCESS

Our judging focuses on content, design, and production quality, with a special emphasis on innovative and creative ways of sharing a Christian worldview. We’re excited to have an esteemed panel of experts from education, clergy, book production, and bookselling helping us with the process. We’ll then announce three to five medalists in each category around February 9, 2025.

RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

Gold, silver, and bronze medalists will be revealed around February 9, 2024, with up to five medalists recognized in each category. We’ll confirm your entry by email and keep you updated on judging and results, so please make sure to provide a valid email address. To ensure our messages get through, add info@illuminationawards.com to your contacts. If you change your email or want to add someone else to our update list, just let us know!

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

We will award gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category. Medalists will also receive award seals that match their medal level. Each winning book comes with a beautiful medal, a personalized certificate, and 20 sample seals to celebrate your achievement!

Today, and always, I thank the judges at the Jenkins Group for affirming the message of healing and hope given to those who have walked, are walking, or who will ever walk with a loved one through Alzheimer’s Disease! Through this award, Joy In The Journey continues to be an Enduring Light in the lives who need its message!! Gratitude expressed to you, Jenkins Group…from this “little heart of mine!

Nancy Elizabeth Howie

Author of Joy In The Journey, 2019 Enduring Light Silver Medalist

latest stories

VIEW ALL >

Ready to enter?

Enter Now