Congratulations on receiving recognition from the Awesome Indies Book Awards (AIBA).

Whether your book has received an AIBA Approved title or the AIBA Seal of Excellence, we are delighted to celebrate your achievement and support you in sharing your success with readers, reviewers, booksellers, and the wider literary community.

This page includes promotional resources, marketing suggestions, and opportunities available to AIBA-recognised authors.

AIBA assessments are conducted independently by volunteer assessors and are not influenced by advertising, sponsorship, or paid placement.

Understanding Your AIBA Recognition

AIBA Approved

The AIBA Approved title is awarded to books that receive a minimum score of 4.0 out of 5 stars in AIBA assessments.

This recognition acknowledges books that demonstrate a strong standard of storytelling, presentation, editing, and overall quality in independent publishing.

Books receiving the AIBA Approved title have successfully met AIBA’s assessment criteria and stood out to our assessors for their strengths in craft, readability, originality, and reader engagement.

AIBA Seal of Excellence

The AIBA Seal of Excellence is AIBA’s highest distinction.

This title is reserved for books that consistently achieve a perfect 5-star assessment across all completed AIBA evaluations.

The Seal of Excellence recognises works that consistently achieve an exceptional standard across all areas of evaluation, including writing quality, originality, editing, structure, emotional impact, and overall execution.

AIBA Book of the Week

From time to time, AIBA may also select a recognised title as AIBA Book of the Week.

Only books awarded the AIBA Approved title, the AIBA Seal of Excellence, or their Awesome Indies (AI) equivalent titles by active AIBA-recognised authors are eligible for consideration.

Selections are typically made from among authors who actively support the indie literary community and engage with AIBA initiatives and promotions.

Selected titles may be featured on the AIBA website, social media platforms, newsletters, or promotional showcases.

The Book of the Week feature is intended to provide additional visibility and recognition for outstanding independently published books within the AIBA community.

Your Digital Badge

As an AIBA title holder, you are welcome to use your official digital badge in connection with your awarded book.

You may use your badge:

On book covers and updated editions
On your website and author pages
Across social media platforms
In newsletters and promotional graphics
In Amazon A+ Content and retailer listings (where permitted)
In media kits and press materials

Please ensure the badge is only used in association with the awarded title.

We strongly encourage authors to link online posts, announcements, and promotional materials back to the official AIBA announcement page for their book. Doing so provides readers with an independent point of reference and adds further credibility to your award recognition.

When using the badge in printed materials, please include the following credit where appropriate:

“Awesome Indies Book Awards — awesomeindies.net”

This helps support the visibility and integrity of the awards program while ensuring proper attribution.

Complimentary Certificate of Recognition

All AIBA-recognised authors are eligible to receive a free printable digital Certificate of Recognition for their awarded title.

Certificates are suitable for:

Author websites
Media kits
Social media posts
Book signings and events
Personal printing and framing

To request your certificate, please complete the following form: Free Certificate Request Form

Certificates are typically issued digitally within a few business days.

We encourage you to celebrate your recognition publicly.

Ideas include:

Announcing the award on social media
Updating your author bio and website
Sending a newsletter to readers
Adding the recognition to retailer descriptions
Including the accolade in advertising campaigns
Updating your email signature

You are also welcome to repost and share AIBA announcement posts.

Suggested Promotional Wording

For AIBA Approved titles

“Recipient of the Awesome Indies Book Awards (AIBA) Approved title.”

“Recognised by the Awesome Indies Book Awards for excellence in independent publishing.”

For Seal of Excellence titles

“Recipient of the AIBA Seal of Excellence.”

“Awarded the Awesome Indies Book Awards’ highest distinction: the Seal of Excellence.”

Editorial Feedback & Revision Notes

Many authors find the private assessor feedback, if any, especially valuable.

Assessment comments may help you:

Strengthen future editions
Correct continuity or formatting issues
Improve pacing and clarity
Refine dialogue and characterisation
Enhance overall reader experience

Even small editorial improvements can make a meaningful difference over time.

Update Your Retail Platforms

We recommend updating your retailer and author pages to include your AIBA recognition.

Suggested places to mention your award:

Amazon editorial reviews
Book descriptions
Goodreads author profile
Kobo and Apple Books listings
Your website homepage
Author media kit

Awards can help establish credibility and encourage reader confidence.

Selected AIBA-recognised books may be featured through:

AIBA newsletters
Instagram showcases
Other social media promotions
Other venues and opportunities, as they arise

Feature opportunities are subject to availability and editorial discretion.

To increase the likelihood of being featured:

Tag AIBA in your posts
Use clear, professional cover graphics
Include a short hook or review quote
Mention your award title prominently

Reader Reviews Matter

An award announcement is an ideal opportunity to encourage reader reviews.

You may wish to:

Contact newsletter subscribers
Reach out to ARC readers
Reconnect with reviewers and bloggers
Share direct review links

Reader reviews remain one of the most important drivers of discoverability for independent books.

Additional Promotional Materials

Many award-winning indie authors create:

Award-branded social media graphics
Updated cover images featuring the badge
Press releases
Downloadable media kits
Book club discussion guides
Author Q&A sheets

These materials can support outreach to reviewers, bookstores, podcasts, festivals, and literary organisations.

When you submitted your book for AIBA assessment, you also signified to subscribe to the official AIBA Mailchimp newsletter and other relevant AIBA email communications during the submission process.

This newsletter provides updates relating to:

Award announcements and featured books
Seasonal promotions and showcases
Community updates and opportunities
Publishing resources and news
Special campaigns and promotional features

Exclusive Opportunities for Active AIBA-Recognised Authors

Certain promotional opportunities are reserved exclusively for active AIBA-recognised authors who remain subscribed to the official AIBA newsletter.

These opportunities may include:

AIBA Book of the Week promotions
Featured author spotlights
Newsletter showcases
Seasonal campaigns and curated lists
Social media promotions
Special themed features and community initiatives

To help us prioritise active members of the AIBA community, selections for monthly opportunities will generally be made from the most active newsletter subscribers among AIBA-recognised authors.

Subscriber activity may include:

Opening and engaging with newsletter content
Participating in promotions or feature opportunities
Sharing AIBA announcements and posts
Remaining actively subscribed to the newsletter

While inclusion is not guaranteed, active participation may help increase visibility and consideration for future opportunities.

We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate outstanding independent books and authors.

AIBA-Recognised Authors and Assessor Opportunities

Authors whose books receive AIBA recognition are welcome to apply as volunteer assessors and help support the independent publishing community.

While AIBA-recognised authors may bring valuable experience and insight, all assessor applicants must still meet AIBA’s eligibility requirements and agree to AIBA’s assessment policies, standards, and conflict-of-interest guidelines.

Active assessors may also become eligible for certain assessor recognition and privileges, including priority processing opportunities for their own books and other community benefits, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

For more information about becoming an AIBA assessor, assessor responsibilities, and available recognition opportunities, please click here.

Continue Building Momentum

Publishing success is cumulative. Awards, reviews, word-of-mouth, and consistent visibility all contribute to long-term readership growth.

Your AIBA recognition reflects the work, dedication, and creativity you have invested in your book, and we are honoured to celebrate that achievement with you.

Congratulations again, and thank you for being part of the independent publishing community.

Resources & Opportunities for AIBA Title Holders