2026 Online Entry Submission Form

Welcome to the 2026 Nautilus Book Awards Online Entry Form
We are delighted to welcome you to this year’s awards season.

This form is designed to be clear and user-friendly. Please note that all required fields (*) must be completed before you can proceed.

We kindly ask that you read each instruction carefully and avoid rushing through the form. Careful attention will help ensure your book is entered correctly and accepted without issue.

Your submission will follow four straightforward steps:

1. Book Details
2. Send Your Books (only required for specific categories)
3. Upload PDFs – include front and back covers. Please note: manuscripts, sample/reader copies, and files marked “Not for Distribution” will not be accepted.
4. Entry Fee and Payment

Before selecting, please read the Category Descriptions [HERE] to find the best matches for your book.

If you believe your title fits more than three categories, please contact us. We’re happy to discuss your book’s content and help ensure it’s entered in the most suitable categories.

Email: office@nautilusbookawards.com

Subject line: Category Inquiry

If your book carries a 2026 publication date but was physically published and available for purchase on or before December 31, 2025, please email office@nautilusbookawards.com (Subject: Publication Date Clarification).

The confirmation email and invoice will be sent to this contact.

Thank you for completing the first step of the Entry Submission: Your Book Details.

Please press the "Next" button to proceed to the Send Your Books page for your entry.

Please follow these instructions carefully:

• If your book does not fall into any of the categories below, skip this page by clicking Next to proceed to the Upload Your Book page.
• If your book does fall into one of the listed categories, you must provide both a physical copy and a digital PDF of your complete, published book (as available for purchase online or in a library).

 

Categories requiring both physical and digital PDF versions:

• 08 - Food, Cooking, & Healthy Eating
• 09 - Gift & Specialty
• 21 - Photography & Arts
• 30 A - Children's Picture Books / Fiction Ages 2- 6 Years (Preschool-Grade 2)
• 30 B - Children's Picture Books / Non-Fiction Ages 2- 6 Years (Preschool-Grade 2)
• 31 A - Children's Illustrated / Fiction Ages 6- 9 Years (Grades 1- 4)
• 31 B - Children's Illustrated / Non-Fiction Ages 6- 9 Years (Grades 1 - 4)

 

Please ship published book titles only. We do not accept manuscripts, reader/sample copies, “Not For Distribution” editions, or draft files. Watermarked files are accepted only if they are the final published copy.

Ship one (1) copy of each title entered in the categories listed above.

Books should be shipped as soon as possible after completing your online submission. Your Nautilus entry will not be considered complete until the book is received.

 

Please ship your book(s) to:

Nautilus Book Awards

1825 Marine St. #7

Boulder, CO 80302

 

Please press the Next button. You will then be directed to Upload Your Books.

Before uploading, please follow these guidelines:

1. Published books only – Upload the final, published version of your book. We do not accept manuscripts, reader/sample copies, “Not For Distribution” editions, or draft files. Watermarked files are accepted only if they are the final published copy.
2. File naming – Name your file exactly as your book title (no spaces, author names, or extras).
   Example: If your book title is "This Black Cat," your file name should be "ThisBlackCat.PDF."
3. Covers included – Upload a complete PDF of your book that includes both the front and back covers.
   • If your covers are not included in the book file, please upload them separately as a PDF, JPEG, or PNG, clearly labeled.
     Example:
     • Covers-ThisBlackCat.PDF/JPEG
     • FrontCover-ThisBlackCat.PDF/JPEG
     • BackCover-ThisBlackCat.PDF/JPEG

Please wait until your file upload is complete before clicking Next.

Once you click Next, you will be directed to the Entry Fee page.

Early Bird Entry

Period: September 8, 2025 – November 30, 2025

• $95 USD per title
• + $50 USD for each additional category for the same title

Regular Entry

Period: December 1, 2025 – February 2, 2026

• $130 USD per title
• + $75 USD for each additional category for the same title

Final Entry Deadline: February 2, 2026

• All online entry details, entry fee payments, and PDF uploads must be completed by this date.

Book Shipping Deadline: February 9, 2026

• All physical book packages must be received no later than this date.

Please press the Next button. You will then be directed to the Payment page.