Entry Guidelines
The 2027 submission season will open on September 15, 2026.
Welcome to the Nautilus Book Awards Entry Guidelines
We are delighted that you are considering sharing your book with Nautilus.
A thoughtful submission begins with finding the right alignment between your book, the Nautilus vision, and the category in which your work will be considered. Before submitting, we invite you to follow the steps below carefully. Taking a few moments to review our values, eligibility requirements, category descriptions, and submission criteria will help ensure the best possible submission experience for you and your book.
Before You Submit
1. Begin with the Nautilus Values
Explore our Six Core Values and consider how your book meaningfully reflects or contributes to one or more of them. These values form the foundation of what Nautilus seeks to recognize and celebrate.
2. Confirm Your Book's Eligibility
Review all criteria carefully, including publication date, publishing type, submission format, previous-submission requirements, and other eligibility criteria.
3. Find the Right Category
Explore the category descriptions and Guiding Questions to identify the category that best reflects your book's primary subject, themes, and purpose.
For additional guidance, use the Category-to-Value Alignment Chart below to see how each category connects with the Six Core Values and to help determine where your book may best belong.
4. Choose the Correct Publishing Division, When Applicable
For categories offering A and B divisions, determine whether your book belongs in the Independent Division (A) or Large Publisher Division (B).
5. Prepare for Your Submission
Review the Instructions for Entry below before beginning the online submission form. You'll find what materials to prepare, whether your category requires a physical book, current entry fees and deadlines, additional-category options, payment methods, and an overview of the four-step submission process.
6. Review Everything Before Starting Your Book Submission
Before beginning your submission, take a final moment to confirm that your book meets all eligibility requirements and that you have selected the category and publishing division, when applicable, that best represent your work.
This final review will help ensure a smooth and successful submission experience.
A Thoughtful Beginning
Our goal is to make the submission process clear, welcoming, and meaningful. Reading these guidelines before entering helps ensure that your book is eligible, thoughtfully aligned with the Nautilus Values, and submitted where it can be most appropriately considered.
We look forward to discovering the books that will become part of the next chapter of Nautilus.
NAUTILUS VALUES
1. Stewardship of Earth & All Living Systems
We honor works that awaken ecological awareness, promote regenerative practices, and inspire care for the interconnected web of life. Stewardship is more than conservation; it is the active guardianship of Earth's lands, waters, atmosphere, and biodiversity, undertaken with humility, responsibility, and respect for all living beings.
2. Wellness, Love, Beauty & Human Potential
We celebrate works that nourish the body, uplift the heart, inspire the mind, and support the realization of human potential. These books remind us that wellness is more than the absence of illness; it is the active cultivation of vitality, resilience, creativity, joy, connection, and purpose.
3. Spiritual Growth & Inner Transformation
We recognize works that illuminate the spiritual journey, nurture wisdom, and inspire deeper connection to the self, the sacred, and the mystery of existence. These works affirm the enduring role of spirituality, contemplation, and inner transformation in cultivating compassionate and interconnected communities.
4. Justice, Belonging & Transformative Change
We honor works that address inequality, champion human dignity, and empower readers to build more just, equitable, and compassionate communities. These books foster belonging, bridge differences, and strengthen the relationships that allow individuals and communities to thrive together.
5. Diverse Voices, Global Interconnection & Human Flourishing
We celebrate works that amplify underrepresented voices, honor cultural diversity, and deepen our understanding of one another across borders, identities, beliefs, and lived experiences. These books contribute to a more compassionate, resilient, and flourishing world.
6. Emerging Futures & Collective Wisdom
We honor works that help humanity navigate change, imagine new possibilities, and participate consciously in creating a more compassionate, resilient, equitable, and sustainable future. These books illuminate emerging pathways in science, technology, culture, governance, spirituality, and collective life.
GENERAL CRITERIA
Eligibility Criteria for Book Submissions
To qualify for submission, books must meet the following requirements:
(Criteria in PDF format)
Publishing Type
Nautilus Book Awards welcomes books from all publishing paths, including self-published authors, independent and small presses, hybrid publishers, and traditional publishers.
In categories divided into A and B divisions, publishing type and annual publishing volume determine which division you should select.
Which division should I choose?
Choose the Independent Division (A) if your book is:
-
Self-Published by the author
-
Published by a Small Press that releases 10 or fewer titles annually
-
Published by a Hybrid-Small Press that releases 10 or fewer titles annually
Choose the Large Publisher Division (B) if your book is:
-
Published by a Traditional / Large Publisher that releases more than 10 titles annually
-
Published by a Hybrid-Large Publisher that releases more than 10 titles annually
A Few Helpful Definitions
Self-Published
Your book was published independently by you, rather than through a traditional or hybrid publishing house. This includes authors who use platforms such as Amazon KDP or IngramSpark and independently hire editors, designers, printers, or other publishing professionals.
Small Press
Your book was published by an independent publishing house that publishes works by multiple authors and releases 10 or fewer titles annually.
Hybrid Publisher
Your book was published through a company that combines elements of traditional and self-publishing, typically with the author contributing financially while receiving professional publishing services. For Nautilus purposes, select your division according to whether the publisher releases 10 or fewer or more than 10 titles annually.
Traditional / Large Publisher
Your book was acquired and published by an established publishing house that assumes responsibility for the publishing process and releases more than 10 titles annually.
Every Publishing Path Is Welcome
At Nautilus, how a book is published does not determine its value.
We proudly recognize outstanding books from self-published authors, independent presses, hybrid publishers, and traditional publishing houses. The A and B divisions simply allow books in certain categories to be considered within more comparable publishing environments.
Still unsure which division to choose?
Please contact us before submitting. We are happy to help you find the appropriate division for your book.
CATEGORY-TO-VALUE ALIGNMENT
Introduction
The Nautilus categories are expressions of an interconnected vision. While each category naturally aligns most closely with one of the Six Core Values, many extend across several. The following alignment identifies a Primary Value for each category while recognizing additional Natural Connections that reflect the breadth and interdisciplinary spirit of the books Nautilus honors.
PREPARE FOR YOUR SUBMISSION
What to Expect When You Enter
The Nautilus Book Awards uses a simple online submission process. Before you begin, please review the information below so you have everything you need to complete your entry.
During the submission process, you will provide information about your book, upload the required digital files, select your category or categories, and submit payment. Certain categories also require a physical copy of the book.
Important Eligibility Note
We do not accept manuscripts, reader or sample copies, watermarked copies, or other non-distribution versions.
All submitted books must be complete, published editions available for purchase by the general public.
Categories Requiring a Physical Book
For most categories, a complete digital PDF is sufficient. However, the following categories require both a complete PDF and a physical copy of the book:
-
06 — Photography & Arts
-
09 — Food, Cooking & Healthy Eating
-
10 — Gift, Specialty & Inspirational Resources
-
35A/B — Children's Picture Books
-
36A/B — Children's Illustrated Books
Multi-Book Sets & Multi-Volume Works
A unified multi-book set or multi-volume work may be submitted and evaluated as one complete entry when the books or volumes are intended to function together as a single work or collection.
The complete set will receive one evaluation and will be eligible for one Nautilus Award per category entered.
The standard entry fee includes the first book or volume. An additional review fee applies to each additional book or volume included in the entry to account for the additional reviewing required.
If you would like individual books or volumes to be evaluated and considered for awards separately, each book or volume must be submitted as a separate entry.
If you are unsure whether your books qualify as a unified set or multi-volume work, please contact us before submitting.
Entry Fees & Deadlines
Early Bird Entry:
$95 September 15 through November 30
Regular Entry:
$130 December 1 through February 8, the final submission deadline
Additional Categories
A book may be entered in up to four categories total. An additional fee applies for each additional category:
-
Early Bird: $50 per additional category
-
Regular: $75 per additional category
Multi-Book Set / Multi-Volume Review Fee
$25 per additional book or volume beyond the first
Applies when multiple books or volumes are submitted together and evaluated as one complete entry.
Payment Methods
Payment may be made securely online using:
-
Credit Card • Debit Card • Apple Pay • Google Pay
Four Simple Steps
The online submission process will guide you through four steps:
-
Your Book Details
-
Send Your Book (only required for specific categories)
-
Upload PDFs—including front and back covers. Please note: manuscripts, sample/reader copies, and files marked “Not for Distribution” will not be accepted.
-
Entry Fee and Payment
Thank you for considering the Nautilus Book Awards for your treasured work. We are honored by every author, publisher, and creative team who entrusts their book to our awards program.
When you are ready, click the link below to begin your entry for the 2027 Nautilus Book Awards season.
How Winners Are Selected
Every book submitted to the Nautilus Book Awards enters a thoughtful and rigorous review process designed to recognize works of exceptional quality, meaning, and contribution.
Nautilus looks beyond commercial success or market visibility. We seek books that demonstrate excellence in their craft, meaningfully align with the Nautilus Core Values, and contribute to the larger conversations reflected in their category and its Guiding Question.
A Thoughtful, Multi-Stage Review Process
The Nautilus Book Awards uses a three-tier review process, with books advancing through successive stages of evaluation and consideration.
Our reviewing community brings a wide range of professional and lived experience, including backgrounds in writing, editing, education, librarianship, bookselling, psychology, health care, poetry, parenting, and other fields. What unites our reviewers is a deep appreciation for books and a commitment to the values and vision of Nautilus.
Throughout the process, books are evaluated using structured criteria designed to support thoughtful, consistent, and equitable consideration.
From Submission to Award
Each eligible book begins with careful review and evaluation. Titles that demonstrate exceptional strength may advance through additional stages of consideration, with the strongest works moving forward for final award deliberation.
At the finalist stage, reviewers consider the books collectively and thoughtfully, with final award decisions reached through a process of discussion and consensus.
Nautilus may recognize Silver and Gold Winners within individual categories, with select works receiving additional recognition as Grand Winners for extraordinary achievement.
Awards are granted solely on merit. The number and level of awards may therefore vary from category to category and from year to year. A category is not guaranteed to receive a Gold Award, and in exceptional circumstances, more than one title may be recognized at the same award level.
Reviewers & Training
Nautilus reviewers are thoughtfully selected and prepared for the responsibility of evaluating submitted works. Reviewers participate in orientation and training designed to deepen their understanding of the Nautilus vision, Core Values, evaluation criteria, and review process.
Our structured evaluation process invites reviewers to consider each work carefully and to document their assessment before books advance to subsequent stages of consideration.
More Than a Winning Book
At the heart of the Nautilus review process is a larger question:
What does this book contribute?
We seek works that awaken wisdom, deepen compassion, expand possibility, foster human flourishing, strengthen communities, honor our living Earth, and help illuminate pathways toward a more conscious and compassionate future.
Across genres, traditions, disciplines, and audiences, we celebrate books that engage meaningfully with one or more of the Six Core Values and embody the enduring Nautilus belief in:
Better Books for a Better World.