The Eric Hoffer Award for independent books recognizes excellence in publishing with a $2,000 grand prize and various category honors and press type distinctions, as well as the winners of the Montaigne Medal, da Vinci Eye, and First Horizon Award. The book awards are covered in the US Review of Books. After the contest, books are donated to libraries, schools, and hospitals where appropriate.
Books must be from academic, independent, small press, and self-published authors. Anyone (including the author) can submit one or more books for the Eric Hoffer Award. If you are familiar with the nomination process, use the easy nomination form. You may pay the registration fee with either a check, money order, or on-line via credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
For each nomination, submit the book, nomination form, and registration fee (check, money order, or Internet payment receipt) to Hopewell Publications, PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560. Be certain to specify award category and press designation. Registration will be confirmed via e-mail. Submissions must be postmarked by January 21st of the award year.
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The Hoffer Award exists as a platform to honor independent books of exceptional merit. (Please read our mission statement.) Since its inception, the Hoffer Award has grown in prominence each year. Multiple books in many categories and various press types are given prizes, "Hoffer" honors, and worldwide media exposure. The book awards are covered in the US Review of Books. Finally, award recognition is an excellent point-of-sale marketing tool.
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The Hoffer Award is open to academic, independent, small press, and self-published books that were released or copyrighted in the last 2 years, including unique small print run books. Books more than 2 years from its copyright date can enter the Legacy Fiction or Legacy Nonfiction category. Yes, you can nominate your own work. NOTE: Award is closed to the staff of Hopewell Publications and previous Hoffer Award winning book entries.
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One grand prize will be awarded for independent books. Each category will be awarded a winner, runner-up, and multiple honorable mentions. Individual press type honors will also be awarded. The Montaigne Medal, da Vinci Eye, and First Horizon Award will be awarded from the entire judging pool. Each book is registered by category and then automatically considered for the grand prize, category honors, press type honors, the Montaigne Medal, the da Vinci Eye, and the First Horizon Award.
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Anyone (including the author) can submit one or more books for a Hoffer Award. For each category nomination, submit the book, nomination form, and $50 fee (check, money order, or Internet payment receipt) to Hopewell Publications, PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560. Be certain to specify the award category and press designation on the form. Submissions must be postmarked by January 21st of the award year. Registration is open all year round. NOTE: At the low entrance fee, it is not feasible to provide judge’s critiques for each entry. After the contest, books are donated to libraries, schools, and hospitals where appropriate, which are fine places to promote the book!
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The same book may be entered into more than one category. Each category nomination requires a separate book registration, which includes the book, nomination form, and registration fee.
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The Hoffer Award for independent books is judged by book category. After the category judging is tabulated, books are brought forward for the grand prize and various press distinctions. During the judging process, books are nominated for the Montaigne Medal, da Vinci Eye, and First Horizon Award. Category judges may include authors, editors, agents, publishers, book producers, artists, experienced category readers, and health and business professionals.
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As the annual judging draws to a close, a small set of grand prize award finalists is announced. This small list or "short list" of finalists is an honored distinction of its own and is announced publicly during the spring of each award year.
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The same book may be entered into more than one category. Each category nomination requires a separate book registration, which includes the book, nomination form, and registration fee.
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International books may enter the Hoffer Award judging as long as the book is primarily written in English. Each year, international books win prizes and distinctions.
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Announcement of The Hoffer Award short list and prizewinners are public events. All nominees will be notified of award winners in Apri/May of the award year. (Entrants are sent an award schedule as the time approaches.) We prefer to notify people by the e-mail specified on their nomination form. After the contest, books will be donated to libraries, schools, and hospitals where appropriate, which are fine places to promote the books!
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The nominal fee helps The Hoffer Award retain its independence and honesty. Judging the Hoffer Award is a large challenge, undertaken by a volunteer staff and involving significant funds to promote and execute with integrity. The Hoffer Award has no corporate sponsorships. These typically cast a long and questionable shadow over many awards.
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The Hoffer Award accepts e-books in two distinct categories: fiction and nonfiction. Please see our e-book registration instructions.
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The Hoffer Award book categories were designed to cover every type of book. If you don’t see your category below, please contact us with a description, and we’ll let you know where it fits. A great book will supersede any category designation. Category designations may be reassigned to better suit the nomination.
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| Category |
Description |
Art |
Titles capturing the experience, execution, or demonstration of the arts, including art, fine art, graphic art, architecture, design, photography, and coffee table books. |
| Poetry |
Titles with poetry or highly stylized prose. |
General Fiction |
Non-genre specific fiction, including literary, short story collections, plays, and mainstream. |
Commercial Fiction |
Genre specific fiction, including mystery, thriller, suspense, science fiction, religion, romance, humor, and horror; also commercial short collections and graphic art novels. |
Children |
Titles for young children, including stories and picture books. |
Young Adult |
Titles aimed at the juvenile and teen markets. |
Culture |
Titles (nonfiction) demonstrating the human or world experience, including multicultural, essay, women’s issues, sexuality, travel, sports, true crime, social commentary, nonfiction humor, and current events. |
Memoir |
Titles capturing specific personal experience. |
Business |
Titles with application to today’s business environment and emerging trends, including general business, career, finance, computer, and the Internet. |
Reference
(& How-to) |
Titles from traditional and emerging reference areas, including history, psychology, biography, science, philosophy, education, sports, recreation, training, travel, technical/hobby guide, and how-to. |
Home |
Titles with practical applications to home or home-related issues, including general home, gardening, cooking, parenting, family, interior design, animals, pets, and home-related crafts. |
Health |
Titles promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being, including psychology, fitness, and sex. |
Self-Help |
Titles involving traditional and emerging self-help topics. |
Spiritual |
Titles involving the mind and spirit, including religion, metaphysical, and mystical. |
Legacy Fiction |
Any fiction titles over two years of age. (Unlike many in the industry, we think good books last more than a single season.) |
Legacy Nonfiction |
Any nonfiction titles over two years of age. (Unlike many in the industry, we think good books last more than a single season.) |
E-book Fiction |
Any fiction titles published in e-book format. (See delivery specifications.) |
E-book Nonfiction |
Any nonfiction titles published in e-book format. (See delivery specifications.) |
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