I realize that most readers probably don’t have much familiarity with book awards. What the different awards are. How winners are selected. Who judges. What the categories are. It can all be fairly mystifying to a layperson.
We authors know quite a bit about book awards and here’s why. We all write solo, many of us in our homes…. or even in isolated caves rooms within our homes. We’re solitary. We don’t attend quarterly company meetings where promotions and congratulations are handed out.
We’re very fortunate to sometimes receive emails, Facebook messages, and tweets from readers who enjoy our books. [THANK YOU!] But it’s extraordinarily rare to have our work recognized in a public way. So, when one of our novels is nominated for an award, it means the world to us.
Today, I’m going to tell you about one particular book award and the women who make it possible. The INSPY Awards are awarded by Christian fiction bloggers from books nominated by readers.
Rel Mollet is one of the founders of the INSPYs, so I asked her if she’d consent to a brief interview about the award and she said yes. (She’s lovely that way. And in every other way.)
- How did the INSPY Awards come to be?
Rel: The INSPYs were the brainchild of Amy from My Friend Amy, created to discover and highlight the very best literature that grapples with expressions of the Christian faith. It’s been an honor to be an Advisory Board member from 2010, the inaugural year of the INSPY Awards.
2. The INSPY Award is the only award I know of that allows readers to nominate books. What motivated you to invite readers for their input?
Rel: Readers are the author’s audience. They buy books. They love books. They review books. Readers are savvy and smart when it comes to quality fiction, so it made perfect sense to create an award that enabled book bloggers and readers – the very people authors write for – to nominate books and determine winners.
3. How has the contest changed over the years?
Rel: Essentially, the heart of the INSPYs has remained the same over the past seven years, but we have adjusted the rules from time to time to take into account the changing marketplace and to make the process more manageable. Last year we made a significant change, now collecting our long list from the top 15 nominated novels in each category. For INSPYs 2017, we are pleased to include independently published books that meet specific criteria.
4. Why do you and the other ladies give of your time to make it happen?
Rel: Simply put, we love to read quality faith-infused fiction. We each have blogs that attest to our devotion to these stories. Our desire is to for other readers to discover talented authors and the brilliant novels they have created through their gift of writing. The Advisory Board members, past and current, have freely committed endless hours of time, energy, and enthusiasm because we are passionate about connecting readers with books, and it is a way to show our appreciation for the authors who write them. Over the past seven years, every Advisory Board member has given nothing but their best. As the only remaining inaugural Advisory Board member, it has been a privilege to work with such dedicated people.
Rissi, Jamie, Lydia, Kara, and I are looking forward to another wonderful year. We are very thankful for the support we have received from authors, publishers, publicists, and readers since the inception of the INSPYs. Nominations for INSPYs 2017 close January 16, so get nominating!
To stay up to date with all things INSPYs follow along with us on Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Goodreads
Or email us with any questions: inspyawards@gmail.com
Here’s a quick introduction to the five dedicated ladies who make up the INSPYs advisory board…
Rel Mollet
of RelzReviewz
Lydia Mazzei
Rissi C
Jamie Lapeyrolerie
Kara Boone
Many, many thanks to each of you for the work you’re doing in support of Christian fiction! Like these ladies, I love to see excellent books celebrated.
Readers, I encourage you to swing by the the INSPYs site and take the time to nominate your favorite books of 2016.
How aware of book awards are you? Do you participate in any of them? If so, in what capacity (perhaps as a judge or organizer)?
Becky Wade
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Great article Becky! My first exposure to Christian Fiction Book Awards was with the Christy Awards about ten years ago. I’ve been aware of the INSPYs for a few years now and submit nominations. I look forward to both of their nominee lists coming out each year. Such a pleasure to follow along and pick my own winners to see if they match with the judges.
“I look forward to both of their nominee lists coming out each year. Such a pleasure to follow along and pick my own winners to see if they match with the judges.” Yes! I agree, Staci. Seeing which books are nominated and which books win is definitely part of the fun. Over the past years, I’ve made more and more friends in the Christian fiction community. Often, books by friends of mine are nominated and/or bring home the win, so there’s always someone to cheer for.
Thanks for nominating books, Staci – we couldn’t do it without wonderful readers like you!
I do keep track of book awards. They are like the oscars for me. I am a judge on a few different ones. I live streamed the RWA awards and get very excited for the authors
They really are like the bookworm’s version of the Oscars, aren’t they, Alisha? 🙂 Thanks for judging!
I loved learning more of the behind the scenes information about the Inspy’s, Becky. Thanks for sharing that great interview! It is definitely special to have a reader-nominated award.
Hear hear!
Yay! Thank you again for the feature – I love being a part of it every year and the women on the board are all amazing!! 🙂
Thank YOU, Jamie!
Loved Inspys. I’ve followed it for a couple of years and was blessed to be one of the judges last year. As Rel said, readers and bloggers alike love quality Christian fiction. I love that it’s nominated by readers.
As to other awards, there’s the Carol Awards from ACFW, the Grace Awards, Christy Awards, and a few others I’ve followed. Before I became a blogger, they were a great source to finding Christian auhtors to read.
Thanks for the great post!
Thanks for stopping by, Annie! You make a great point. The awards are a great vehicle for discovering-new-to-you authors. I use the Goodreads Choice Awards this way every year. I take a look at the winners, read the back cover blurbs of those in genres I like, then inevitably add a handful of the books to my ‘wish list’ at Audible.
We love that you love the INSPYs, Annie! Your support is invaluable.
So many things I never knew! Thanks, Becky!
Becky, this is lovely. Thank you so much for featuring Rel and the INSPY Awards. It’s been a great experience to be a part of this program and work with these talented ladies! As Rel says, we’re excited about 2017 and all the fun it will bring to this program. 🙂
You’re welcome, Rissi! My pleasure.
When I’m picking a new author to read I love to see “winner of…” or “nominated for..” I really love the INSPY awards because it does allow us as readers to say “hey wait this book was AWESOME” and not feel like some person sitting on a throne eating bon bons is going to poo poo our votes. We get to say and we get to encourage you all as writers that there are readers out there loving your work and recognizing your talent! 🙂
” I really love the INSPY awards because it does allow us as readers to say “hey wait this book was AWESOME” and not feel like some person sitting on a throne eating bon bons is going to poo poo our votes.” LOL! People on thrones eating bon bons are so very hard to take at times. 😉
Thanks for taking the time to let your voice be heard at the INSPY Awards, Crissy!
Loved this, Crissy! So glad you are sharing your voice about what you love and being part of the INSPYs in this way 🙂
Thanks so much, Becky, for highlighting the INSPYs! We just love being able to highlight writers and their books in this way.
You’re welcome!
Great post! A few years ago I was a judge for the Cybil Awards, which is sort of like the INSPYs, but for children’s literature. It was a lot of reading (I was in the middle grade fiction category) but a lot of fun. I love sharing great books and the authors I love!