Categories
BOOKS FOR GENERAL READERS
Nautilus Book Awards recognizes books that can promote our values of spiritual growth, conscious living, wellness, helpful social change/justice, love, beauty and the health of our shared planet as they stimulate the imagination and inspire the reader to new possibilities for a better world.
01 - Aging Consciously
Diverse issues unique to aging and retirement; finding ways to enjoy, prosper, and experience these years with gratitude, enthusiasm, high-level wellness, and community.
02 - Animals & Nature
Promoting awareness, understanding of and appreciation for the natural world and its wide range of inhabitants; includes supporting our animal friends who live on land, in the air, and in the seas, and deepening our relationships with plant and mineral kingdoms.
03 - Body ~ Mind ~ Spirit Practices
Physical, mind-body, and energy-based approaches designed to enhance and nurture our whole being; practices to maintain balance and amplify helpful effects; includes but not limited to yoga, meditation, therapeutic touch, and breath work.
04 A - Business & Leadership
(Self-published, or Small Press: 10 or fewer titles annual) Innovative, whole-system practices and leadership that build effective and inclusive stewardship of public and private companies, as well as non-governmental (NGO) and not-for-profit organizations; with focus on individual as well as community and institutional solutions.
04 B - Business & Leadership
(Large Publisher, or Large Hybrid Publisher: more than 10 titles annual) Innovative, whole-system practices and leadership that build effective and inclusive stewardship of public and private companies, as well as non-governmental (NGO) and not-for-profit organizations; with focus on individual as well as community and institutional solutions.
05 - Creativity & Innovation
Diverse ways that our innate creative nature finds inspiration and expression, from igniting creative ideas through processes, techniques and artistic craft. May include instruction, description or demonstration along a wide spectrum of creative forms.
06 - Ecology & Environment
Promote a wider understanding of the interrelationships that affect the health and viability of our home planet. Share new viewpoints and wisdom to enhance the integrity and well-being of Earth's ecosystem.
07 A - Fiction
(Self-published, or Small Press: 10 or fewer titles annual) Inviting imaginative storytelling that includes evolving human capacities and the resilience of the human spirit. Any work of fiction that evokes the inherent goodness of individuals and all humanity. Plots and characters are explored through alternative paths through difficult times, embracing compassion, understanding and tolerance rather than violence.
07 B - Fiction
(Large Publisher, or Large Hybrid Publisher: more than 10 titles annual) Inviting imaginative storytelling that includes evolving human capacities and the resilience of the human spirit. Any work of fiction that evokes the inherent goodness of individuals and all humanity. Plots and characters are explored through alternative paths through difficult times, embracing compassion, understanding and tolerance rather than violence.
07 C - Science Fiction
Imaginative storytelling with science fiction/fantasy elements that may evoke or emphasize (but not limited to!) Nautilus values such as evolving human capacities/gifts/spiritual traits, visionary harmonious futures for humanity, and the resilience of the human spirit. Plots and characters are explored through alternative paths of compassion, understanding, and tolerance rather than violence, and possibly through the inherent goodness of individuals and all humanity. Dystopian fiction will be considered if the transformation of those worlds is shown to be possible.
08 - Food, Cooking, & Healthy Eating
Promotes selecting and preparing food to nourish the wholeness of the body and to stimulate the senses; includes growing-edge approaches to nutritional health and the healing potential of food around the world.
09 - Gift & Specialty- including-Card Decks and Daily Wisdom Books
Unique works that focus on or express special ways of thinking, feeling, and being to enhance the human experience; include books that you would love to share with others. (For gift books for children, teens, or young adults: see Categories 30- 35)
10 - Restorative Earth Practices
Practical ways to enhance responsible and intimate stewardship with our planet (with air, water, land, and fire; mineral, plants, animals, and human aspects of ecosystems). These approaches may consider home and community systems, gardening and farming, design and construction, transportation, and alternative (renewable) energy--and may include local, regional, and larger scope.
11 - Death & Dying / Grief & Loss
Insights that recognize the challenges and transitions of loss (beloved persons or animals) with a sense of acceptance, recovery, healing, and wisdom; may include personal stories to help other persons in a related situation.
12 - Health, Healing & Wellness
Empowering, learning, and exploring programs that restore and sustain a high level of individual, family, and group wellness and vitality. This field includes books from a wide spectrum of topics. They can focus attention on healing specific groups such as men, women, or children, as well as community and cultural influences on health beliefs and practices.
13 - Heroic Journeys
True stories of courage, collaboration, and dedicated leadership; include situations where persons or groups overcame obstacles or "impossible odds" and inspired others, with attention to non-violent and compassionate pathways to meet resistance.
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​**Only non-fiction accepted in 13. Please see 07- Fiction categories for fictional stories.
14 - Inner Prosperity & Right Livelihood
Provide inspiration and tools that activate the unfolding of one's authentic journey. These books offer insights on "where love and life come together" --for personal, professional, and spiritual fulfillment.
15 - Journalism & Investigative Reporting
Intelligent, perceptive reporting on current or newsworthy events that raise consciousness. These books bring attention to important issues that may affect our health, safety, societal & political connections for individuals, communities, institutions, cultures, species, and our world as a whole.
16 A - Memoir & Personal Journey
(Self-published, or Small Press: 10 or fewer titles annually) Writing based on personal history and reflection, reveals important personal lessons and growth in life and relationships, and thereby contributes to greater social and community growth.
16 B - Memoir & Personal Journey
(Large Publisher, or Large Hybrid Publisher: more than 10 titles annually) Writing based on personal history and reflection reveals important personal lessons and growth in life and relationships, and thereby contributes to greater social and community growth.
17 - Multicultural & Indigenous
Deepening our understanding of unfamiliar or diverse cultures, communities and peoples; includes books with inter-cultural examples, experiences, and practices that heal and strengthen connections within the human family.
18 - Parenting & Family
Support the nurturing, teaching, and guidance of children through all stages of life; with focus on the family unit and its possibilities, diversity of expressions, learning shared responsibilities, and dynamics through all life-chapters.
19 A - Personal Growth & Self-Help
(Self-published, Small Press, or Hybrid-Small Press: 10 or fewer titles annual): Books that offer wisdom, insight, and fresh perspectives for the reader to navigate life's journey and challenges with care, creativity, and social and spiritual fulfillment.
19 B - Personal Growth & Self-Help
(Large Publisher, or Hybrid-Large Publisher: more than 10 titles annual): Books that offer wisdom, insight, and fresh perspectives for the reader to navigate life's journey and challenges with care, creativity, and social and spiritual fulfillment.
20 - Psychology /Mental & Emotional Well-Being
Applied understanding of human evolution and phases of development, with exploration of the roots of and treatments for families, couples, and individuals. This includes innovative approaches that promote greater personal awareness, compassion, empathy, and improved interactions and relationships.
21 - Photography & Arts
Celebrating beauty in the world in its wide range of forms as a visual expression of high-level awareness, intuitive knowing, and unique self-expression.
22 A - Poetry
Evoking compassion, wisdom, greater understanding, empathy, joy, delight, and passion through the artful and poetic use of language.
22 B - Lyric Prose or Hybrid Works
Evoking compassion, wisdom, greater understanding, empathy, joy, delight, and passion through lyric prose, poetry-prose hybrid, and other genre-blending works expressed in poetic language.
23 - Relationships & Communication
How we develop, strengthen, and sustain meaningful interactions and relationships in the varied facets of life, including friendships, marriage, creative partners, workplace colleagues, siblings & extended family, neighbors, and community; includes emerging fields of mutuality and interpersonal communications.
24 A - Religion / Spirituality of Eastern Thought
Perspectives, insights, and practices grounded in the core of Eastern Beliefs & Traditions.
24 B - Religion / Spirituality of Western Thought
Perspectives, insights, and practices grounded in the core of Western Beliefs & Traditions.
24 C - Religion / Spirituality of Other Traditions
Perspectives, insights, and practices grounded in traditions that include indigenous & other cultural approaches (or an integration of beliefs/religions) that speak to Spirituality of all beings and their connection to the Divine.
25 - Science and Cosmology
Growing-edge and emerging domains of science, human experience and wisdom that contribute to the unfolding story of who we are, how we think, learn, and live as part of Earth and the greater cosmos.
26 - Social Sciences & Education
New innovations and discoveries in the social sciences that support the life-long process of learning. Includes programs that assist education and all learning avenues, to promote understanding and interpersonal skills, as integral parts of creating bridges to a better world.
27 - Social Change & Social Justice
Innovative, forward-looking practices and programs for welcoming voices of the historically unheard; improving societal structures, communications, and relationships through greater awareness and actions. May include peace-building, diversity & dialogue, equality & justice, balancing community & uniqueness, particularity, and sacred activism -- being in the world and for the world.
28 - World-Cultures' Transformational Growth & Development
Beyond differing views of cultural, political, racial, religious, gender, ages, and economic issues, these books offer seeds of hope towards betterment and wholeness. Books in this category may include a wide spectrum of perspectives on our possible futures and how we as Humanity embrace our next steps. examples: Beyond fossil fuels, creating community beyond conflict, humanity as an organism growing through global shifts.
29 - Rising To The Moment
Insightful and powerful books that provide doorways for individuals to rise through today's current challenges and to consciously participate in illuminating our next steps. These books help light our way together toward greater health, wholeness, and unity.
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN - TEENS - YOUNG ADULTS
Literature can be an important factor in shaping children's worldviews as well as their daily experiences. We believe it is essential that books for young people be crafted with their best interests in mind, and in a real way embody the Nautilus Award core values: high-level wellness, spiritual growth, conscious living and green values, and social change and social justice. Books that express these values inspire and connect our lives in greater wholes - as individual persons, communities, and global citizens. These ideals can be addressed in many ways, including in picture books, fiction and nonfiction, art, and poetry.
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All topics covered in the General Categories shown above are welcomed as Entries into the proper age group as described below.
Children's Books
30 A - Children's Picture Books / Fiction Ages 2- 6 Years (Preschool- Grade 2)
Imaginative picture books that give young children a visual introduction to values such as family, friendship, adventure, fantasy, legends, healthy foods and well-being. (We consider the dotted line between Fiction & Non-Fiction for Picture Books to reflect the boundary of right-brain and left-brain; they do work together, and need distinct developmental stimulation.)
30 B - Children's Picture Books / Non-Fiction Ages 2- 6 Years (Preschool- Grade 2)
Factual picture books that give young children a visual introduction to areas such as colors, numbers, alphabet, beauty, animal species, parts of nature, life cycles, beginning science. (We consider the dotted line between Fiction & Non-Fiction for Picture Books to reflect the boundary of right-brain and left-brain; they do work together, and need distinct developmental stimulation.)
31 A - Children's Illustrated / Fiction Ages 6- 9 Years (Grades 1- 4)
This category has a greater text-picture ratio than children's picture books; includes chapter books, folk and fairy tales, imaginative stories, and many types of adventures, texture and beauty, deepening treatment of friendships with human and/or animal characters. Stories of adventures with multicultural living are especially encouraged.
31 B - Children's Illustrated / Non-Fiction Ages 6- 9 Years (Grades 1- 4)
This category has a greater text-picture ratio than children's picture books; includes non-fiction topics such as introduction to parts of nature, seasons and calendar, habits of animals, intro to science & technology, history of science, travel to other cities, countries, and cultures, how things work, and intro to the arts and music. These books can be illustrated with drawings or photos.
Mid-Grades & Young Adult
32 - Middle Grade Fiction, Ages 8- 12 (Grades 4- 7)
Imaginative picture books that give young children a visual introduction to values such as family, friendship, adventure, fantasy, legends, healthy foods and well-being. (We consider the dotted line between Fiction & Non-Fiction for Picture Books to reflect the boundarFictional stories that offer new insights or perspectives for Mid-Grade readers -- to encourage imagination about their life and the future. Stories of inspirational journeys, healing and compassionate relationships will uplift the young heart and spirit with possibilities of a Better World.y of right-brain and left-brain; they do work together, and need distinct developmental stimulation.)
33 - Middle Grade Non-Fiction, Ages 8- 12 (Grades 4- 7)
Includes a wide range of topics and genres that reflect the entire span of the Nautilus Categories. These books introduce the Mid-Grade readers to topics that widen their horizons while offering areas of wisdom, collaboration, problem-solving, and awareness as global citizens that will serve them well in years ahead.
34 - Young Adult (YA) Fiction, Ages 13- 19+ (Grades 8- 12)
Fictional stories that offer new insights or perspectives for Young Adult readers -- to encourage imagination about their life and the future. Stories of inspirational journeys, healing and compassionate relationships will uplift the young heart and spirit with possibilities of a Better World.
35 - Young Adult (YA) Non-Fiction, Ages 13- 19+ (Grades 8- 12)
Includes a wide range of topics and genres that reflect the entire span of the Nautilus Categories. These books introduce the Young Adult readers to topics that widen their horizons while offering areas of wisdom, collaboration, problem-solving, and awareness as global citizens and individuals that will serve them well in years ahead.