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.
A. Understanding Your AIBA Recognition
For books assessed from 2026 onwards, the following explains what your AIBA recognition represents and the assessment standards required to achieve it.
AIBA Approved
The AIBA Approved title recognises books that have demonstrated a high standard of quality through AIBA’s independent assessment process.
To become eligible, a book must first receive a perfect overall average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars, with every assessment criterion rated 5 stars, in its first AIBA assessment. The book then undergoes a second independent assessment. If the second assessment results in an overall average rating of at least 4.0 out of 5 stars, with no individual criterion rated below 4 stars, the book may become eligible for the AIBA Approved title, subject to AIBA’s review procedures.
This recognition acknowledges books that demonstrate a strong standard of storytelling, presentation, editing, originality, readability, and overall quality in independent publishing.
AIBA Seal of Excellence
The AIBA Seal of Excellence is AIBA’s highest distinction.
To become eligible, a book must receive a perfect overall average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars, with every assessment criterion rated 5 stars, in both its first and second independent AIBA assessments.
The Seal of Excellence recognises books that consistently demonstrate an exceptional standard across all areas of evaluation, including writing quality, originality, editing, structure, emotional impact, reader engagement, and overall execution.
Final recognition decisions remain subject to AIBA’s policies, assessment procedures, and review processes.
AIBA Book of the Week and AIBA Book of the Day
From time to time, AIBA may also select a recognised title as AIBA Book of the Week or AIBA Book of the Day.
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 or Book of the Day feature is intended to provide additional visibility and recognition for outstanding independently published books within the AIBA community.
Interested in joining? Scroll down this page for more information.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. Share Your Achievement
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.
E. Suggested Promotional Wording
For AIBA Approved titles
“Recipient of the Awesome Indies Book Awards (AIBA) Approved title.”
or
“Recognised by the Awesome Indies Book Awards for excellence in independent publishing.”
For Seal of Excellence titles
“Recipient of the AIBA Seal of Excellence.”
or
“Awarded the Awesome Indies Book Awards’ highest distinction: the Seal of Excellence.”
F. 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.
G. 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.
H. Social Media & Newsletter Features
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
I. 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.
J. 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.
K. Newsletter Participation & Exclusive Opportunities
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
L. 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.
1. Promotional Opportunities for AIBA-Recognised Authors by Helen Hollick
We are delighted to share that Helen Hollick, founder of the former Discovering Diamonds book review and awards platform and host of the Of History and Kings author promotion blog, has kindly offered to help promote AIBA-recognised books.
From time to time, eligible authors may have the opportunity to be featured in a free Author Spotlight post on Helen’s blog. These features may include a book blurb, cover image, excerpt, author biography, purchase links, and other promotional content supplied by the author or publisher.
Spotlight posts are also shared across Helen’s social media channels, including X (Twitter), Bluesky, Facebook, and Pinterest, providing additional exposure for independently published books.
To know more about this opportunity, contact Helen directly via author@helenhollick.net. If interested, please put ‘”Let us Talk Spotlight Invite’ in the subject box, so Helen will be more likely to receive your message.
2. Enter the AIBA Book of the Week Promotion
Are you the author of an AIBA-recognised book? Here’s your chance to gain additional visibility for your work!
We are pleased to announce the AIBA Book of the Week Promotion. All books that have received an AIBA title, including AIBA Approved, AIBA Seal of Excellence, and their Awesome Indies (AI) equivalent titles, are eligible to participate.
Entering is simple. Complete the activities listed below to earn entries into the promotion. The more entries your book receives, the greater its chances of being selected as Book of the Week.
Selected books will receive:
- A dedicated Book of the Week announcement on the AIBA website;
- Additional recognition within the AIBA community; and
- Promotion across selected AIBA social media channels.
This promotion is intended to celebrate and showcase outstanding independently published books while encouraging engagement within the indie literary community.
- AIBA blog
-
X / Twitter (This is not always updated.)
-
Facebook (This is AIBA’s second Facebook page. The old page is not accessible by admin at this time.)
Ready to participate? Simply get involved in any AIBA activity or engage with any of our website or social media posts, so you will have more chances of getting your book picked.
Good luck, and thank you for supporting AIBA and independent publishing!
3. Book of the Day Feature
As an additional benefit for AIBA-recognised authors, eligible books may be selected for inclusion in our Book of the Day feature. Selected titles are showcased on the AIBA website and may also be promoted through AIBA’s newsletters, social media channels, or other community initiatives from time to time.
The Book of the Day feature is intended to provide ongoing visibility and recognition for quality independently published books that have received an AIBA title.
Winners will be announced through a dedicated blog post and may also be featured in our newsletter and across selected AIBA social media channels. To see whether your book has been featured and to stay informed about the latest AIBA news and announcements, please visit our social media channels here:
4. 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.
M. 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.
