Eligibility Criteria and Submission Information

  1. About the Awards

The Dartmouth Book Awards were established in 1988 by former Mayor of Dartmouth, Dr. John Savage, with the financial support of corporations and businesses in the community. The intent was to celebrate works of Nova Scotian fiction and non-fiction. In 2003, an additional award was created: the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for Fiction. In 2017, the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for Non-Fiction was created to recognize an outstanding first book of non-fiction.

The Dartmouth Book Awards Steering Committee is pleased to offer four prizes of $2,500, one to each of the winners of the following four awards:

  1.  Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction: Given for an outstanding fiction book by a Nova Scotia author published in the preceding year. 
  2.  George Borden Writing for Change Award (formerly Dartmouth Book Award for Non-fiction): Given for an outstanding non-fiction book by a Nova Scotia author published in the preceding year that inspires others, challenges the status quo, and celebrates and shares the stories of Recognized Groups (see definition below).
  3.  Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for Fiction: Given to an outstanding debut book of fiction by a Nova Scotia author published in the preceding year that has contributed to the understanding of Nova Scotia and its peoples. 
  4.  Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for Non-fiction: Given to an outstanding debut book of non-fiction by a Nova Scotia author published in the preceding year that has contributed to the understanding of Nova Scotia and its peoples. 

The Dartmouth Book Awards Steering Committee believes in diversity and inclusion. It encourages submissions from all writers, including Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, racially visible persons and 2SLGBTQ+ persons (collectively, “Recognized Groups”). The Committee will seek out jury members that include members of Recognized Groups.

  1. Eligibility Criteria

Please read the following eligibility criteria before submitting titles:

  • Books published between November 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022 (re-issues of earlier publications are not eligible).
  • Books written by a Nova Scotian or an individual who has been resident of Nova Scotia for at least two years immediately prior to the submission.
  • Accepted genres may include: fiction, non-fiction, history, essay, biography, politics, or drama.
  • Anthologies are not eligible.
  • Collections of poetry are not eligible.
  • Books must contain a minimum of 40 percent text.
  • Books must be 49 pages or more and available for sale.
  • Self-published books are accepted as long as they have been professionally produced and meet all other criteria.
  • Books written for older teens (16+) will be accepted.
  • The Steering Committee reserves the right to reject submitted titles. Rejected titles will not be returned.
  • Submission form, fee, and books must be sent no later than November 1, 2022.

 

  1. Submission Requirements

Each award entry must be submitted by November 1 deadline and must include the following components. Early submissions are strongly encouraged. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

    1. Completed and signed submission form.
      • A submission form must be completed for every entry.

 

    1. A $35 non-refundable submission fee per entry.
      • If submitting multiple titles, a single cheque or e-transfer may be sent for the total amount.
      •  A title may be submitted to more than one award. The submission fee is payable for each award.

 

    1. Four (4) printed and bound copies of the title are required for the adjudication process.

 

    1. If a title is shortlisted, a $300 non-refundable promotional off-set fee must be paid by the publisher for each title (if a title is shortlisted for more than one award, a single $300 fee is payable). Payable by cheque or e-transfer to the Dartmouth Book Awards.

 

 

  1. How to Submit

 

    1. Complete the submission form.

Online: click the “Submission Form” button above, complete and sign form digitally, and email form to dartmouthbookawards@gmail.com .

By mail: click the “Submission Form” button above, complete and sign form digitally or manually, print, and send hardcopy to:

ATTN: Dartmouth Book Awards
22 Grandview Drive
Dartmouth, NS
B2W 1X5

    1. Pay $35 submission fee

 

Online: send an e-transfer to dartmouthbookawards@gmail.com – be sure to include book title(s) in the memo section.

 

By mail: Send a cheque payable to “Dartmouth Book Awards” to:

ATTN: Dartmouth Book Awards

22 Grandview Drive

Dartmouth, NS

B2W 1X5

 

    1. Send four (4) printed and bound book copies

By mail: 

ATTN: Dartmouth Book Awards
22 Grandview Drive
Dartmouth, NS
B2W 1X5

 

For more information contact:

Dartmouth Book Awards Steering Committee
dartmouthbookawards@gmail.com
www.dartmouthbookawards.ca

The deadline for receipt is Monday, November 1, 2022. A community-based jury will choose the finalists. The shortlisted titles will be announced in March 2023. Winners of the awards will be announced at the Nova Scotia Book Awards ceremony in June 2023.