Why Book Awards Can Be a Turn-Off for Readers
Book awards, are often seen as prestigious accolades that can catapult an author’s work into the spotlight. For many, winning an award is a sign of quality and recognition, a badge of honour that sets a book apart from the rest. However, for many readers, book awards can actually be a turn-off. In this blog, we'll explore why this is the case and why EPIC Indie has decided not to participate as judges in book competitions anymore, particularly after our experience with the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC).
The Disconnect Between Awards and Reader Preferences
One of the main reasons book awards can be off-putting to readers is the disconnect between the types of books that win awards and the books that readers actually enjoy. Many book awards, especially the more prestigious ones tend to push and award books that push some sort of woke narrative or messaging that would alienate most people. While these books can be critically acclaimed, they often don’t resonate with a broader audience and creates mistrust between readers and the awards themselves.
Readers often look for stories that entertain, engage, and offer an escape from the everyday. However, award-winning books can sometimes be more about preaching a message which can make them less accessible or enjoyable for the average reader. This disconnect can lead to frustration, with readers feeling that award winners are being chosen for reasons that don’t align with their own preferences.
Perceived Elitism and Bias
Another issue with book awards is the perception of elitism and bias in the selection process. Especially those in the indie book realm nepotism and brown nosing is rife. There are entire cabals of authors all pushing each others work whilst at the same actively undermining others. The pretence that the ‘community’ is all love is a farce as those indie authors who have fallen victim to these groups can attest.
Many readers feel that certain awards have a bias towards specific genres, themes, or even authors, often overlooking books that deserve praise. This perceived elitism can create a divide between the literary community and everyday readers, making awards seem out of touch with what people are actually reading and enjoying.
Moreover, there can be a sense that the judging process is not entirely transparent or fair. When readers see the same authors or publishers repeatedly winning awards, it can lead to cynicism about the process. This can diminish the value of the award in the eyes of readers, who may feel that the accolades are more about industry politics than about recognising truly great books.
The EPIC Indie Experience: Why We’re Stepping Back from Judging
As a collective of indie authors and enthusiasts, EPIC Indie has always been passionate about supporting independent publishing and highlighting great self-published work. When we were invited to participate as judges in the SPSFC, we were excited about the opportunity to help discover and promote quality indie science fiction. Unfortunately, our experience with the competition was anything but positive.
During our time as judges, we encountered a toxic environment where our team faced personal attacks from some of the participating authors. These attacks were not just limited to online criticism; they escalated to personal insults and harassment, creating a hostile atmosphere that made it difficult to carry out our duties impartially. What made matters worse was the organisers' response, or lack thereof. Instead of addressing the issues, they often sided with the more outspoken, bullying authors, creating an environment where negativity thrived. It got so bad that we took the decision to withdraw entirely and the organisers response was to remove all of the reviews we had done, a move that harmed worthy authors and frankly resulted in a particular book being robbed of rightfully winning the entire contest.
This experience was disheartening and led us to question the value of our involvement in such competitions. The purpose of book awards should be to celebrate great writing and bring attention to deserving works, not to foster an environment where judges are intimidated and criticised for their opinions. We did more than any other group of judges to put eyes on the entrant authors with interviews and spotlights almost every day. Those authors lost that chance to be seen and have their works highlighted.
The Impact of Negative Experiences
Our negative experience with the SPSFC competition is not an isolated incident in the world of book awards. Stories of judges facing backlash, authors engaging in online feuds, and the overall toxicity surrounding some competitions are increasingly common. This not only undermines the integrity of the awards but also discourages future participation from judges who are passionate about literature but unwilling to endure such hostility.
As a result, EPIC Indie has decided not to participate as judges in future book competitions. We believe that the focus should be on fostering a positive, supportive environment that encourages creativity and recognises quality writing. When the process becomes tainted by personal attacks and unprofessional behaviour, it loses its value both for judges and for the wider literary community.
Awards Aren’t Everything
While book awards can shine a spotlight on deserving works, they are not always a reliable indicator of what readers will enjoy. The disconnect between award-winning books and popular taste, coupled with perceived elitism and bias, can make these accolades less appealing to the average reader. Additionally, our own negative experience with judging has shown us that the process can be flawed and toxic.
For readers, it’s important to remember that awards are just one of many ways to discover new books. Personal recommendations, reader reviews, and community discussions can often lead to more satisfying reading experiences. At EPIC Indie, we remain committed to supporting independent authors and readers in a positive way—just not through book awards or the ‘in’ crowd of the community.
