Literary Awards Submission Guidelines

Local authors in Connecticut and Rhode Island often have limited opportunities for widespread recognition of their published works. Books in the Borough Literary Awards (BITBs) were inspired to showcase excellence in writing, engage authors with readers, and elevate literary awareness throughout the region. The Awards are an annual, juried, open call for submissions across four literary categories irrespective of genre. Finalists will attend our daylong mid-May Books in the Borough Lit Fest in the village of Stonington where they will meet the public, sign books, and participate in the noon-hour Awards Ceremony during which the Medalists will be announced.

Authors interested in submitting their work should read the following important details before completing the online entry form. Questions may be asked via email.

Submissions will be accepted from October 1 through November 30, 2026, for the 2027 BITB Literary Awards.

We look forward to receiving your submission.

Author Eligibility

• Primary legal residence in Connecticut or Rhode Island

• Available to attend Books in the Borough Lit Fest on May 15, 2027, if selected

Book Eligibility

• Published, original, complete work by a single author

• Traditional or self/independent/hybrid published

• In print, widely available for purchase

• Any year of publication

• Limit one submission (single title) per author

• Title cannot have been submitted previously to BITB

• A.I. use limited solely to research

Categories

• Adult Fiction

• Young Adult Fiction

• Children's

• Poetry

• Author determines best fit

Genres and Forms

• Fiction: novels, novellas, short story collection

• Children's: picture books through middle grade

• Poetry: collection

• Author selects single best fit primary genre

• Genre used solely for promotion

Entry Fee

• $50 for members of ARIA or CAPA

• $75 for nonmembers of ARIA or CAPA

• Paid with submission, nonrefundable

• Not deductible as a charitable contribution

Submissions

• Online electronic entry form and entry fee payment

• Digital book upload formats (50MB maximum file size)
  1) ePub
  2) PDF

• Only finalized, complete, published versions will be accepted and must include the cover, ISBN/copyright page, and all other components of the printed work

Important Dates

• October 1 through November 30: Submissions entry window

• December 22: Screening Phase ends

• January 8: Nominees (40) notified of their proceeding to Jury Phase

• March 1: Jury Phase ends

• March 8: Finalists (24) and Honorable Mentions (16) notified

• March 15: Finalists attendance RSVP deadline

• March 22: Honorable Mentions attendance lottery cutoff to fill open seats

• April 1: Public announcement of Finalists and Honorable Mentions

• May 15: Awards Ceremony announcement of Medalists

Awards Per Category

• Medalist Trophies (3): Gold Star, Silver Star, Bronze Star

• Finalist Certificates (3)

• Honorable Mention Certificates (4)

Author Benefits

• BITB Literary Awards recognizing excellence in writing

• Awardees promoted publicly with potential for media interviews

• Medalists, Finalists, and Honorable Mentions featured in BITB Literary Festival Program

• Medalists, Finalists, and select Honorable Mentions invited to BITB for book sales & signing

• Entrants acknowledged in BITB Literary Festival Program

• Program distributed to regional independent bookstores and public libraries

• Awardees and titles featured on the Books in the Borough website and social media accounts

• Awardee titles featured at participating independent bookstores and public libraries throughout May

• Awardees will receive a BITB Literary Awards media toolkit for use online

Post-Submission Guidelines

What to expect after clicking Submit

• Email confirmation: electronic submission form received; next steps and contacts

• Email receipt: entry fee electronic payment

• Email confirmation: ePub/PDF successfully uploaded

• Applicants notified of nominee or non-nominee status on January 8

• Nominees (40) notified of Finalist (24) and Honorable Mention (16) status on March 8

• Finalist and Honorable Mention media package to be completed and returned by March 15

• Finalist RSVP deadline to attend BITB 2027 is March 15

• Honorable Mention lottery to attend BITB 2027 is March 15-22

- Invited in random order to fill vacant seats beginning March 15

- Must reply within 24 hours to confirm attendance

- Lottery ends when seats are filled, no later than March 22

• Public announcement of Finalists and Honorable Mentions on April 1

• Finalists and Honorable Mentions media toolkit sent via email on April 1

- BITB promotional opportunities to be arranged individually with authors

• Author attendee event day guidelines and instructions sent via email on April 1

• Bank Square Books consignment agreement deadline is April 8 (date may change)

- In-store and La Grua Center sales

• Trade paperback copies (4) of nominated titles due by April 15

- BITB, Stonington Free Library, Westerly Library, Mystic & Noank Library

• Medalists announced at Awards Ceremony on May 15