Northern California Book Awards Guidelines 2025

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOOK REVIEWERS (NCBR), a volunteer group of book reviewers, book review editors, children's book librarians, and book media hosts who read passionately and write about reading, have met regularly since 1981 to recommend and celebrate books by presenting the Northern California Book Awards. (See the NCBA page for each year for a complete list of each year's nominees and winners.)

All of the nominated books, our Recommended Reading List, are acknowledged and celebrated at the ceremony. Eligible books are considered in Fiction, General Nonfiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, All-California Translation (Poetry and Prose), and Children's Literature (Younger Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult).

The Northern California Book Awards are presented by the Northern California Book Reviewers, a volunteer association, Poetry Flash (Poetryflash.org), and the San Francisco Public Library (sfpl.org), with community partners Mechanics' Institute Library (www.milibrary.org) and the Women's National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter (wnba-sfchapter.org).

Poetry Flash is the awards producer and organizational home for the Northern California Book Awards and NCBR/Northern California Book Reviewers. Poetry Flash, literary review, calendar, and literary event presenter, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Poetry Flash builds community through literary publishing and presenting.

Thanks to members of the Northern California Book Reviewers, who select the nominees and winners.

Submission Guidelines for Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Children's Literature
Books written by authors based in Northern California and published for the first time in 2024 are eligible for consideration. In the case of children's picture books, the author of the text must live or be based in Northern California; the illustrator may live anywhere. Authors may divide their time between two locales, e.g.: "She divides her time between San Francisco and Paris."

For this purpose, Northern California includes Fresno and Big Sur. There are no fees or forms. Either the publisher or the author may send books for consideration.

Send three copies of each title to be considered by January 17, 2025. Earlier submissions are welcome. Mail to: Northern California Book Awards, 1450 Fourth Street #4, Berkeley, CA 94710.

Submission Guidelines for Translation
Books translated by translators based anywhere in California, and published for the first time in 2024 are eligible for consideration. Authors may divide their time between two locales, e.g.: "She divides her time between San Francisco and Paris."

Send three copies of each title to be considered by January 17, 2025. Earlier submissions are welcome. Mail to: Northern California Book Awards, 1450 Fourth Street #4, Berkeley, CA 94710.

Join the Northern California Book Reviewers
Nominating committees in Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction (General and Creative), Children's Literature (Younger Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult), and Translation (Poetry and Prose) read the books under consideration. Eligible reviewers are always welcome. Reviewers based in California are encouraged to join us. Prospective NCBR members should have published three reviews in an established online or print publication. Editors at newspapers and other periodicals that publish book reviews are also encouraged to join us. Children's librarians, book media hosts, and other book professionals who recommend and write about books are eligible for membership.

Books are mailed to you; you may participate from anywhere in California. Please contact Joyce Jenkins, editor@poetryflash.org, cell-text (510) 612-3958, or (510) 525-5476.

Become a Sponsor or Friend
To support this work with a tax-deductible donation, send a check to Poetry Flash, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, earmarked for the NCBA, to Poetry Flash/NCBR, 1450 Fourth Street, #4, Berkeley, CA 94710. Or donate at poetryflash.org/give, making a note that your gift be directed to the NCBA/book awards. For more information, email info@poetryflash.org.

The Fred Cody Lifetime Achievement Award is an annual award honoring iconic Northern California literary figures, who continue the community building legacy of NCBR co-founder and legendary bookseller Fred Cody. To contribute to the Fred Cody Award Fund, please contact info@poetryflash.org, (510) 525-5476.