GET READY FOR SUMMIT 6: NASHVILLE, JULY 24-26

REGISTER NOW FOR 2026 AWARDS!

  • 51 Unique Categories

    Enter those that fit you best

  • PR Opportunities

    Winners get increased PR

  • Network with Others

    Meet other authors

  • Dinner Ceremony

    Don't miss this fun event!

OUR SECOND ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

Join us for this truly exciting event, as TOC holds its very first awards ceremony and dinner to celebrate the very best in the publishing industry. The Writely Awards will highlight the independent authors that give so much of their time, energy and creativity to improving literature for readers everywhere.

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51 DISTINCT AWARDS CATEGORIES

The 2026 Writely Awards are greatly expanded, and will be presented twice over the year.

Awards will be given in the following categories (in a variety of age groups):


Presented Virtually, February 26, 2026

Deadline for Entry: November 25, 2025

✩ BEST SEL BOOK ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8

✩ BEST USE OF DIVERSITY & MULTICULTURALISM  ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST STEM BOOK  ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL: WRITING ✩

Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL: ILLUSTRATION ✩

Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST FANTASY / SCIENCE FICTION ✩

Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST NONFICTION ✩

Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ FUNNIEST / MOST HUMOROUS ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ MOST UNIQUE / CREATIVE CONCEPT ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST HISTORICAL FICTION ✩

Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ TEACHER'S PICK ✩

Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST MYSTERY / ADVENTURE ✩

Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

Presented at Summit 6, July 25, 2026

Deadline for Entry: April 15, 2026

✩ BEST EDUCATIONAL BOOK: MORALS & LESSONS ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST EDUCATIONAL BOOK: ACADEMIC ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST USE OF RHYME  ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 

✩ BEST DEBUT AUTHOR ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST COVER DESIGN ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ MOST EMOTIONALLY ENGAGING ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST WRITING (SINGLE BOOK) ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA

✩ BEST ILLUSTRATION (SINGLE BOOK) ✩

Ages 0-3 / Ages 4-8

✩ BEST AUTHOR (3 OR MORE BOOKS) ✩

All Ages

✩ BEST ILLUSTRATOR (3 OR MORE BOOKS) ✩

All Ages

✩ BEST SERIES, COLLECTION OR BOX  ✩

Ages 4-8 / Middle Grade + YA



ALL WINNERS (1ST, 2ND & 3RD PLACE) WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING:

▶ Their book cover and/or title included in a two page spread ad in Publishers Weekly magazine.

▶ An attractive Writely Awards trophy (who doesn't love a good trophy?).

▶ A hi-res, digital seal that can be printed on a book cover, dust jacket and/or used in other marketing.

▶ 150 seal stickers for you to apply to your existing books and use in your marketing.

▶ A pre-written press release that can be used for marketing and media purposes.

▶ The right to use the TOC & Writely Awards name in marketing efforts at no additional cost.

▶ Mentions in email blasts, social media posts and press releases promoted by TOC.

▶ A brief report after the presentations, including their scores and notes from judges.

PLUS! ALL BOOKS AUTOMATICALLY GET ENTERED IN A "BEST IN SHOW" CATEGORY

ONE FIRST PLACE WINNER RECEIVES A $1,000 CASH PRIZE!

AWARDS WILL ONLY BE GIVEN FOR 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD PLACES + TWO HONORABLE MENTIONS PER CATEGORY


▶ All awards will be determined by a neutral committee using a proprietary scoring system.

▶ Manuscripts will not be considered - all entries must be printed, either offset or via print-on-demand, or in a print-ready format. 

▶ Publication date does not matter - books published any year will be considered.

▶ You can enter your book(s) into as many category and age groups as you would like

▶ Authors/publishers do NOT need to present at live events to win.

▶ Authors/books may win multiple awards across different categories.

▶ Authors/publisher may NOT enter for awards categories they have previously won.


ALL JUDGING WILL BE DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL MADE UP OF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS WHO WILL BE GIVEN A CLEAR SET OF GUIDELINES FOR SCORING EACH TITLE.

YES! I WANT TO ENTER MY BOOK(S)

Not ready to go for an award but still want to come to the dinner and ceremony? No problem - we're happy to have you there! 

PRICE PER ENTRY

$125.00

Entering 3 or more categories? Use Code WRITELY2026 for 15% off

Once registered, we'll send you a link to a form shortly after, asking you for information about your book(s), where to send a lo-res PDF of your book, and allowing you to select which categories you would like to enter. 

What Other Event Attendees Have Said

We help lots of happy Authors

"I've spent over a decade attending conferences with the SCBWI, the IBPA, and other organizations. The ones put on by [TOC Productions] are my favorite by far! Sign up if you haven't already. These will be the most informative and actionable programs you can attend."


- Katy Otey, Author

"Cannot say enough great things about this Summit. From the presentations and the workshops, to finding new friends who are on this same journey with me...the Summit added so much value to my self-publishing experience. Total game changer!"


- Nicole Burton, Author

"The Summit was awesome from the virtual perspective! We were glued to the computer screen, enjoyed every speaker thoroughly and made lots of virtual attendee friends. What a warm and wonderful set of people all around! Looking forward to the next summit! "


- Linda Calabro, Author

"Man oh man… can we talk about how AMAZING the Summit was? This is the first conference I’ve attended where I left feeling inspired, ready to take action and also full of new knowledge! Kudos Jay Miletsky and team. VERY well done - can't wait for more!"


- Yvette Manns, Author