About

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NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Novel 2027

We are looking for the best in storytelling, a novel we couldn't put down.

 

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2027

Cooking, wine, architecture, lifestyle, home and garden, design, fashion - all the non-fiction books that have the ability to enrich our daily lives.

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NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2027

We are looking for the best children's picture book that helps engage young readers and foster a love of books.

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NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2027

The best of children's fiction for 7 to 12 year olds that is child-friendly and encourages even the most of reluctant of readers to develop a love of reading.

 

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2027

The best young adult book suitable for young people finding their way in the world. Whether fantasy or grounded in reality, we are looking for a read that will entertain but also provoke thought.

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Prize: $500 for each category to the winning author.

Shortlist announced 18 February 2027, winners announced 18 March 2027.

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BONUS AWARD FOR EACH CATEGORY:

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Cover 2027

Simply send an additional book if you want your book entered in the NZ Booklovers Best Cover Award. While there is no prize money for this category, shortlisted and winning books will be highlighted in the NZ Herald in major features in 2027.

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Criteria:

• NZ citizens or permanent residents, and New Zealanders living overseas, are eligible in each category.

• Books published between 1 January and 31 December 2026 are eligible.

• Entries can be entered by the publisher, author, book distributor or book publicist.

• Three physical books should be sent to NZ Booklovers, 22/4 Stables Lane, Silverdale, Auckland 0932, so they can then be on sent to the individual judges. Either include the entry form when you send books, or email the entry form to karen_m@xtra.co.nz  

• There is an administration fee of $35.

• Send one additional book if you want to enter the Best Cover Award. 

• All entries need to be sent to NZ Booklovers by 10 December 2026, and we encourage books to be sent to us in the month of publication, if possible, through the year.

• Note that the NZ Booklovers Awards are separate from the book reviews that we do and entry does not guarantee we will review your book on our website. We also do not provide feedback to entrants about books entered.

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ENTRY FORM will be available in May

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