Entering the Illumination Book Awards is quick and easy! You can either use our online entry site or download a printable entry form here.

Authors, illustrators, publishers, and self-publishers of Christian books written in English may enter.

Learn more about our guidelines here. 

You may submit a title in multiple categories, but an entry fee is required for each category entered.

View our fees here.

Medalists in each category will receive gold, silver, and bronze medals! Each award-winning book gets a special packet that includes the medal, a certificate, 20 shiny foil award seals, and some great marketing materials to help promote your win. We designed these awards to be a powerful marketing tool, so the biggest benefit is their promotional value—they can really help boost your book sales.

Plus, being recognized with an award gives you credibility in the market and can open doors for future opportunities, like speaking engagements or interviews. It’s a fantastic way to connect with readers and industry professionals alike. So, not only do you get to celebrate your hard work, but you also gain tools to help your book reach more people!

Be sure to send one copy of your book for each category you enter. So, for example, if you’re entering a title into Holiday and General Fiction, you will need to send two copies total—one for each category.

Please include your online registration receipt or a completed entry form, along with your check or money order, in the same package as the books—preferably tucked inside the front cover.

Don’t worry about including any marketing kits, reviews, or extra materials. Our judges only look at the book itself, so they won’t see anything else!

Judging will be based on content, design, and production quality, with emphasis on innovation and creative ways of expressing a Christian worldview. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of education, clergy, bookselling, etc. 

Learn more about our guidelines here. 

We’ll send you a confirmation of your entry via email, and we’ll also keep you updated on judging and results through email. This is why it’s so important to provide a valid email address. If your email changes or there’s someone else you’d like to add to our contest update list, just let us know!

We love that you’re interested in being featured on our social media, blog, and podcast! We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the unique stories and successes of authors, publishers, and thought leaders who embody Christian values.

To kick things off, just fill out our quick form here. This will help us get to know you better and make sure we showcase your work in the best way possible!