Publishing Next Industry Awards 2020 – Submission Guidelines

Judging Procedure:
A specialist jury, consisting of experienced industry professionals, will select the winner and runner-up in each category. The decision of the jury and Publishing Next Advisory Board as regards winners in each category will be final and binding. Information related to evaluation (such as scoresheets, information exchanged between organizers and members of jury, etc.) will not be shared with the participants.

Submission of Entries:
The final selection of shortlisted applicants will be based solely on information furnished by the applicant. Applicants are requested to be as clear, concise and straight-to-the-point as possible, at the same providing all information relevant to the category.

Completing the application form:

1. You can apply by filling out the application form for each category and emailing it to us at contactus@publishingnext.in. Applications must be completed in English alone. Please do not send hard copies of the application.
2. There is no fixed format for the application. However, all information requested for the category must be provided. A separate application must be provided for each entry, in PDF format. Combined applications will be summarily rejected.
3. Every application (except those for categories 9-10 i.e. Book Illustrator of the Year and Editor of the Year, must be accompanied by a logo of the publishing house / imprint / bookstore. An entry without a logo will be considered incomplete.

In the case of the Printed Book categories (Categories 1-5), 3 physical copies of each title must be sent to the address given below:

Publishing Next
S-2, II Floor,
Adolfo Mansion,
Near Dr. Menezes Hospital (Above Asian Paints Store),
Rua Bernardo da Costa,
Margao GOA 403601
Tel: 98503 98530

Publishing Next organisers reserve the right to retain all materials that accompany or form part of an entry. No submissions will be returned to the applicants. Publishing Next will ensure that these materials are retained safely.

Communication:
All communication will be provided by email to the email address provided in the application form. Applicants must ensure that the appropriate contact person’s name and email address are submitted. In addition a phone number must be provided.

Entry Fees:
There are no entry fees charged. In the case of the Printed Books categories (Categories 1-5), a fee of Rs. 300 per title is charged. This amount will be used to cover the costs related to shipping the books to the judges. There are no other charges applicable.

Winning Trophy:
Each winner will receive:

•   The Publishing Next Industry Award trophy.
•   A certificate of merit
•   The right to use the Publishing Next Industry Award logo

The runner-up in each category will be presented with a certificate of merit.

There are no monetary awards.

By virtue of applying, the candidates agree to send a representative of their company to attend the Awards presentation ceremony, if their entries are shortlisted. The dates of the presentation ceremony will be announced at least one month prior to the ceremony.

The winners and runners up are requested to receive their awards during the Awards ceremony. Those unable to do so are requested to collect the trophy/certificate from the Publishing Next office in Goa. The trophy/certificate will not be shipped to any location.

For more details, email us at contactus@publishingnext.in

This award seeks to recognize the efforts of publishers to develop a book that pushes the boundaries of editorial, design and technical excellence within the domain of printed books, making use of available technology to create a book that enriches its genre.

Please note: This Award does not evaluate the literary merit of the book. Instead it looks at aspects that have gone into the making of the book. Publishers are advised to choose the books they submit for this category, and provide all relevant information, keeping this caveat in mind. Please see the evaluation criteria for a better understanding of this category.

Categories: 

This award will be presented in 5 categories:

• Printed Book of the Year (English): Most books will fall under this category, including trade and academic books.
• Printed Book of the Year (Indian Languages): You may choose to submit books published in any Indian language except in English (see previous category)
• Printed Children’s Book of the Year (For ages upto 8 years, in English and other Indian Languages)
• Printed Children’s Book of the Year (For ages 8 and above, in English and other Indian Languages)
• Printed Book of the Year (Art, Illustration and Photography). These books fall under the genre commonly referred to as Illustrated or  Coffee Table books.

Criteria for Evaluation:

• First impression: Is it a book that captures one’s attention, especially when it is placed on a bookshelf? Does the cover make one want to look inside?
• Quality of production: The applied craftsmanship, and experimentation, with respect to design and production values keeping in mind the nature of the book and its intended audience (including choices made with respect to layout and typesetting, illustrations employed (if any, especially in the case of children’s books), choice of paper stock, binding and finish, and the quality of the overall design)
• Editorial aspects: The style of language employed considering the target readership (the plot of the book, in case of fiction books, will not be evaluated).
• Relevance of the book in the present context: Rationale behind the author/publisher to invest in the book. Is it a “fresh” book or is it one that has been overdone?
• Contribution of the book towards the enrichment of its genre: Is the book or any of its features worth emulating? Has a standard been set?

Who Can Apply: 
Publishing companies based in India (or branches of foreign publishers based in India) or self-published authors. Indian reprints or licensed editions of titles originating outside India are not eligible for this category. However, translations of foreign-language titles into Indian languages including English, and published in India, are eligible. Entries should pertain only to those books published on 1st January 2019 or thereafter. Only books published in India will be considered.

Books previously submitted for this category should not be submitted again this year. Such books will be automatically considered ineligible.

Each publisher can submit only 3 (three) titles in each category. Submissions for the Indian language categories can be in any Indian language. However, the application must be submitted in English alone.

Submission Guidelines:

In a pdf file of not more than 3 pages, and not exceeding 1500 words:

1. Indicate the category for which you are applying. A publisher can submit only 3 (three) titles in each category.
2. Tell us about the book – why you chose to publish it, how it came to be acquired (commissioned), what were the design considerations, how was it marketed and sold. Tell us about the  book itself, if there were any significant decisions made with regard to its production, the story behind its cover, and any illustrations that were used. Tell us the story behind the book, and why you think it should be awarded the best book in the category. You could also comment on its critical and commercial success, or if there was something special in the way it was marketed. Tell us everything about the book. Don’t hold back.

In addition, please include within your application:

3. Information about the book:
   • Title,
   • ISBN,
   • Publishing Imprint / Publishing House
4. Language of publication
5. Names of authors and other contributors (such as illustrators, if any)
6. Date of publication of the book (Month and Year)
7. Contact details of the applicant: Name, telephone number and email address
8. the front cover image, in jpg format, not exceeding 100KB (ideally 400px x 600px or more)

Your email, containing the application, should also include a high resolution image of the logo of your publishing house.

Please ensure that separate forms are submitted for each title (e,g, 3 pdf files for 3 titles, not one for all three).

Separately, please send by post:

1. 3 physical copies of each title
2. A cheque of Rs. 300 per title made to “Publishing Next”.

Application Process:

1. Please email your application to contactus@publishingnext.in with “Submission – Book of the Year – [Category Type]” in the subject line. Applications must be sent in English alone. Please do not send hard copies of the application.
2. Please do not combine applications for different books. Please send one application (in a single PDF file) per book. All applications can, however, be sent together in one email.
3. The postal address to send the books is:

Publishing Next
S-2, II Floor,
Adolfo Mansion,
Near Dr. Menezes Hospital (Above Asian Paints Store),
Rua Bernardo da Costa,
Margao GOA 403601
Tel: 98503 98530

Please combine all books (for all entries, if more than one title is being submitted) in one shipment. Please send a cheque of Rs. 300 per title made to “Publishing Next” to the above address, preferably along with the books. This money will be used to ship the books to the judges. If more than 1 title is being submitted, a cheque for the total amount can be submitted.

If you wish to transfer the money electronically, the bank details are as follows:

A/c name: Publishing Next
A/c number: 11860200091803
A/c Type: Current Account
Bank Name and Branch: Federal Bank, Margao (Goa) Branch
IFSC: FDRL0001186

If the money is transferred electronically, kindly contact us to ensure that the money is received.

4. The revised last date for submission of entries is 31st August 2020.
5. Only the application (in PDF format) will be considered for evaluation. Besides the actual copies of the book and the application, no other material will be considered.
6. For more details, email us at contactus@publishingnext.in

This award seeks to reward good cover design and the ability of the designer to adequately exploit the visual medium to convey the “soul of the book” and push the boundaries on book cover design. It will take into account not just the illustrations and typography employed on the front cover, rather the entire cover including its spine and back.

Categories:
This award will be awarded in 2 categories:

• Book Cover of the Year (for books published in English)
• Book Cover of the Year (for books published  in other Indian Languages)

Criteria For Evaluation:

• Appropriateness for the subject/plot of the book: Does the cover adequately represent (or point to) the book’s contents? Is it appropriate for the genre of the book?
• Aesthetic appeal of the cover: Choice of images and typography, layout and design. Does the cover engage the reader enough? Is the cover too cluttered in a way that confuses the reader?
• Design of spine, back cover, and flaps (if present)
• Degree of experimentation with art, typography and quality of design: This criteria seeks to establish the degree to which the envelope is pushed in matters relating to the elements of the cover

Who Can Apply:

Book cover designers, or publishing houses or self-published authors, on their behalf. The publishing houses must be based in India (or can be branches of foreign publishers based in India).

Indian reprints or licensed editions of titles originating outside India are not eligible. Entries should pertain only to those books published on 1st January 2019 or thereafter. Covers previously submitted for this category should not be submitted again this year. 

There must be separate entries (i.e. separate applications) for each title (e,g, 3 pdf applications for 3 covers, not one for all three).

The books (for which the covers are submitted in the Indian Language category) can be in any Indian language, including English. However, the application must be submitted in English alone.

Please note that each cover designer, or publisher, can submit only 3 (three) entries for each sub-category. The entire cover (including the spine and the back cover) must be submitted to qualify for evaluation. Partial covers will not considered for evaluation.

Cover Image Details:

1. The cover should be provided via a link to a server from which it can be downloaded (preferably Google Docs or Dropbox).
2. The size of the cover file should be between 500KB and 750 KB.
3. The entire cover should be provided i.e. the front, back and spine (along with flaps, if any). Partial cover images (e.g. only the front cover image) will not be considered.
4. The link must be accessible indefinitely (at least till the results are declared). Kindly ensure that the link does not “expire” after a finite period of time. Links not accessible will not be pursued further. Google Docs and Dropbox are good options. WeTransfer is not.
5. Please do not paste the cover within the application. Covers must be submitted separately, as mentioned in point a) above.

Submission Guidelines:

In a PDF file, of not more than 3 pages, must include:

1. A link from which the entire cover file can be downloaded. We will not accept covers dispatched by email or on a CD. Also please ensure that the link is provided for each cover, not for a set of covers zipped together.
2. An explanation for the choice of the elements you have used for the cover. If there was something unique in the way the cover was conceptualized, designed and produced, let us know about it. Tell us something about the book too, so we can understand your choices for the cover design. Tell us everything you think can help your application.

In addition, please include, within your application:

4. Information about the book:
   • Title,
   • ISBN,
   • Publishing Imprint / Publishing House
5. Language of publication (if not in English)
6. Name of the designer(s): This is absolutely necessary as this award is presented to the designer, not the publisher, of the book
7. Contact details of the applicant: Name, telephone number and email address
8. Date of publication of the book (month and year)

Your email, containing the application, should also include a high resolution image of the logo of your publishing house.

Application Process:

1. Please email your application to contactus@publishingnext.in with “Submission – Book Cover of the Year – [Category Type]” in the subject line. Applications must be completed in English alone. Please do not send hard copies of the application.
2. Please do not combine applications for different book covers. Please send one application (i.e. in one PDF file) per cover. All applications can be sent together in one email.
3. The last date for submission is 31st August 2020.
4. Only the application (in PDF format) will be considered for evaluation. Besides the cover image (provided via a link), and the application, no other material will be considered.
5. Your email, containing the application, should also include a high resolution logo of your publishing house / imprint (if the book is submitted under the name of an imprint)

This award seeks to acknowledge the role of an illustrator in the publishing industry, especially as publishers endeavour to improve the quality and acceptance of their books through the use of engaging and captivating illustrations.

Who Can Apply: 

Book illustrators, who have worked with publishing companies based in India (or with branches of foreign publishers based in India). Publishing houses can also nominate an illustrator they have worked with. In the case of a nomination, the nominating publishing house may itself provide the reference letter.

Please note that this award will be presented to an illustrator for a body of work that may span more than one book. While this body of work may include the cover, the illustrator’s work developed for the books’ interiors, or for marketing campaigns related to the book, will also be considered. The books cited within the application can be in any Indian language, including English. However, the application must be submitted in English alone.

Criteria For Evaluation:

• Enhancement of written content: Do the illustrations further enhance the textual presentation of ideas and facts? Do they provide a better understanding of the narrative?
• Appropriateness for the subject/genre: Does it adequately represent (or point to) the page’s contents? Is it appropriate for the genre of the book?
• Aesthetic appeal of illustrations: Choice of image / typography, layout and design. Are design norms adhered to? Is there a degree of experimentation with these norms in a manner that is pleasing to the eye? Does the illustrator have a unique style that sets her/his body of work apart?
• Commercial acceptance: Evidence of acceptance of the illustrator’s style, whether in its role in the commercial success of the book, or of the illustrator’s engagement with various book types/publishers. Also, mention any awards/ commendations that may have been received.

Submission Guidelines:

In a PDF document of not more than 10 pages (including the letter of recommendation detailed later), in no more than 1500 words, submit the following requirements. Any supporting visuals should be included in the PDF:

1. A brief bio of the illustrator
2. Provide not more than 8 instances of illustrations explaining the illustrator’s work in each case. These instances should ideally span work done for more than one book. Ensure that the images used are of sufficiently low resolution so that the total size of your application does not exceed 1 MB, at the same ensuring clarity of detail. In each case, include the whole spread, not just the illustration, so that the jury gets an idea of the context of the illustration (or, if book covers are being submitted, ensure the full cover, including the spine and back cover, is submitted). It is better that a diverse body of work is submitted. Additionally, in each instance, you can provide a small explanatory note.

Please focus on work done since January 2019, although work done previously may also be quoted.

In addition, the submission must include

3. a letter of recommendation from a publisher under whom you have worked, or an author, must be submitted. This too must be submitted in PDF format and appended to the aforementioned application.
4. A photograph of the illustrator. In case this illustrator is shortlisted for the Award, we will use this photograph while announcing the shortlist.

Application Process:

1. Please email your application to contactus@publishingnext.in with “Submission – Book Illustrator of the Year” in the subject line. Applications must be completed in English alone. Please do not send hard copies of the application.
2. The last date for submission is 31st August 2020
3. Only the PDF submission (application + recommendation) will be considered for evaluation. No other material will be considered.

This Award will be presented to an editor (managing editors, commissioning editors, book editors) who goes that extra mile for her/his authors, the lists she/he manages and her/his contribution to the overall publishing business. It seeks to reward excellence in the editing field, irrespective of the genre or format, allied to sales and awards success. We are looking for editors who will take chances on authors, on the kinds of books chosen for publication, and one who is able to dig in and find creative solutions to help their books succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Who Can Apply:
Anyone working as an editor in an India-based publishing house (including Indian branches of foreign publishing businesses).

Nominations:
If you know of one such editor, you can also nominate the person for this Award. Make sure your nomination includes all information. The reference letter can be your own.

Criteria For Evaluation:

• Author management, development and support
• List development and curation
• Ability to work with other departments in the publishing house
• Sales and awards success

Submission Guidelines:
In a PDF document of not more than 6 pages (including the letter of recommendation mentioned later), in no more than 1500 words, submit the following requirements. Any supporting visuals should be included in the PDF:

1. A brief bio
2. Information related to author – particularly new  – management and support, and of authors being developed creatively and/or commercially
3. Information related to development and curation of a coherent, consistent and successful list. If the editor has bucked the trend and taken a call on a “different” kind of book, we’d like to hear about that.
4. Instances of working with other departments beyond the boundaries of acquisition and editing, towards development of a successful book. Again, if the editor has brought his/her experience to bear on an innovative marketing campaign, or an unconventional presentation style for the book, include evidence of that in the application.
5. Evidence of sales and awards success.

Please focus on work done since January 2019, although work done previously may also be quoted.

In addition, please submit:

6. a letter of recommendation from a publisher under whom you have worked, or an author, must be submitted. This too must be submitted in PDF format and appended to the aforementioned application.
7. A photograph of the editor. In case this editor is shortlisted for the Award, we will use this photograph while announcing the shortlist.

Application Process:

1. Please email your application to contactus@publishingnext.in with “Submission – Editor of the Year” in the subject line. Applications must be completed in English alone. Please do not send hard copies of the application.
2. The last date for submission is 31st May 2020.
3. Only the PDF submission (application + recommendation) will be considered for evaluation. No other material will be considered.

This Award seeks to recognize bookshops that have become an indispensable hub of their local communities, those that have thrived through great service, an in-depth knowledge of their readers’ tastes, commitment towards developing a unique experience, and their energy and imagination, while providing a great reader experience.

Who Can Apply:
Any bookshop can apply. If you are part of a chain of bookstores, and wish to apply for more than one location, then a separate entry for each location must be submitted (maximum of 3). In case the bookshop is selling items other than books, more than 60% of the revenue should come from sale of books. In case the bookshop also has an attached library, your application should focus on the operations related to the bookshop alone.

Criteria For Evaluation:

• Customer Service: Steps taken to provide customers with the best possible service and attract more readers
• Sustainability: Proof that the enterprise is “growing”. Steps that the bookstore has taken to market itself (or make itself known) to ensure that customers keep coming in.
• Operational efficiency: Steps taken to make the store an exciting place to shop in.
• Events and activities organized in-store: Activities planned for customers during the year so that the bookstore becomes known for activities related to literature and culture
• Promotion of the reading culture: This criteria concerns steps taken to promote literature of different types, steps, if any, taken to promote the local literature and language, and measures taken to understand readers’ tastes and fulfil them.

Submission Guidelines:

In a PDF document of not more than 10 pages, in no more than 3000 words, submit:

1. Details of initiatives that have enhanced the public experience of your bookshop, such as author visits, book club meetings, children’s events, interactions with schools, or other services that reach out to the community around you. These  initiatives should have been undertaken after 1st January 2019.
2. Evidence of book stocking practices that reflect community tastes, and/or introduces new genres and authors to readers.
3. Details of marketing programmes you have undertaken to get more people to walk into your shop.
4. Details of year-on-year performance measures such as financial performance (if not confidential), number of books sold, additions to customer loyalty schemes you may have introduced, or to your email newsletter/Whatsapp list. We are looking for measures that indicate the growth of your bookshop within your locality.

Your application can include visuals such as photographs of the interiors and of bookstore events, media clippings, etc. However, take care to ensure that the size of the PDF file does not exceed 1MB.

Your email, containing the application, should also include a high resolution image of the logo of your bookshop.

In addition, let us know:

1. The name of your bookshop (indicate if it is part of a chain)
2. The postal address of your bookshop
3. The year of establishment of your bookshop
4. An email address and telephone number to contact you at
5. Your name and designation (indicate if you are owner or manager of the bookshop)

Application Process:

1. Please email your application to contactus@publishingnext.in with “Submission – Bookshop of the Year” in the subject line. Applications must be completed in English alone. Please do not send hard copies of the application.
2. The last date for submission is 31st May 2020
3. Only the PDF submission will be considered for evaluation. No other material will be considered. Photographs and/or media clippings of events at your bookshop, if you should decide to add any, must be included in the PDF file you submit.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have won the award in this category, or have been declared runner-up, during the past two years (2017-), you are ineligible to apply again.

This award will recognise an outstanding publishing house that has set a benchmark for excellence in publishing. Entries for this award must demonstrate a high level of publishing excellence (whether in content curated for publishing, quality of editing, or quality of design), innovation and marketing success commensurate with the size of the publishing company, based on instances that have primarily occurred during the period under consideration i.e. after 1st January 2019. An appetite for risk and commercial acumen must also be suitably demonstrated.

Categories:

This award is being presented in 2 categories

• General (All genres except children’s books)
• Children’s books

The form for both categories remains the same. Please indicate in your submission which category you are applying for. You can apply in both categories. However, in such a case, separate submissions must be provided for each category.

Criteria for Evaluation:

• Strength of list (s): This criteria examines  the books the publisher has chosen to publish. Are they different from the books that are otherwise published? Does their choice of books demonstrate a willingness to experiment with subjects, themes or concepts? Are their books engaging? Are they books readers should be excited about? Is the publisher one who experiments with new and bold concepts, who will  defy market dictates, and challenge the status quo?
• Marketing measures adopted and success thereof: Measures the publisher has adopted for itself and how close it is to achieving success by that measure. Has the publisher taken steps to sustain its business? Will it grow?
• Appetite for risk and innovation: The publisher’s appetite for risk in engaging with, and developing, new authors, will be evaluated here. Similarly, the innovative steps the publisher has taken – whether in the design and development of their books, or in their promotion and marketing, or even in the printing technologies they have adopted (we are looking for things the publisher did differently, not necessarily bigger), will be considered under this criteria.
• Industry recognition/awards: Awards and other industry recognition granted to it during the period under consideration. Awards granted to its publications will also be considered.
• Other Information: Additional information that may convince the jury that this publisher is the one to beat. This information could include, for example, any leadership role the publisher has adopted within the publishing industry, or its initiatives to represent the industry, shape its future, whether in policy matters or other key issues affecting it. Or, for example, if the publisher has taken steps towards an environmentally responsible publishing programme, here is where it would score points for such a step.

Who Can Apply: 
Any publishing house based in India (or a branch of a foreign publisher, that is based in India).  Companies that offer self-publishing services cannot apply for this award.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have won the award in this category, or have been declared runner-up, during the past two years (2017-), you are ineligible to apply again.

Submission Guidelines:

In a PDF document of not more than 10 pages, in no more than 3000 words, submit the following information:

1. Information about the company – official name, year of establishment, name of a contact person, postal address, email address and phone number.
2. Please indicate if you are a General / Children’s publisher. If you have imprints that span these categories, please apply separately in each case. All submissions must be in English.
3. Information about your list during the evaluation period. Let us know why you published the books you published, the rationale behind choosing the titles you decided to publish. You could give examples about certain books, even let us know how they fared in the market (you could quote sales figures, testimonials, book reviews here).
4. Author Development: Show us if you have discovered creative and commercially significant debut authors. Similarly, tell us about your investments in retaining the authors you have had, and in developing your back list.
5. Innovation in Publishing: Show us if you have taken unusual steps – whether in the design and development of your books in all formats, or in their promotion and marketing, or even in the technologies you have adopted. Here, you can also mention if you have contributed to initiatives to improve publishing and distribution in India, or to grow the market, or encourage reading, improve literacy levels, etc.
6. Evidence of sales and awards success. You can include testimonials and media clippings here.

All additional material must be appended to the main application file so that a single PDF is submitted.

Application Process:

1. Evaluations will be judged mainly on performance after 1st January 2019. If it is important to refer to information that occurred prior to this date, please include such information also.
2. Please email your application to contactus@publishingnext.in with “Submission – Publisher of the Year – [Category]” in the subject line. Applications must be completed in English alone, irrespective of the language(s) you publish in. Please do not send hard copies of the application.
3. The last date for submission is 31st May 2020.
4. Only the PDF submission will be considered for evaluation. No other material will be considered.

One final word on things to keep in mind with applying:

1. Make sure your application adheres to all requirements. Similarly ensure that all “questions” are answered.
2. Each entry should be submitted in a separate PDF file. You can send multiple entries (multiple PDF files) within the same email. However, we prefer to receive one email per category (or sub-category)
3. Choose your submissions carefully, especially for the printed book and cover categories. The criteria should guide you on this. We are looking for production values in addition to editorial content, so choose a book, or cover, that embodies such values.
4. Ensure that previously submitted entries are not submitted again.
5. Please submit all applications before 31st May 2020. In case of printed book submissions, kindly ensure that the books reach us before that date.