About Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
Five Star Publications is proud to present the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, which were conceived and designed with children in mind. Not only do we want to recognize and honor accomplished authors in the field of children's literature, but we also want to highlight and reward up-and-coming, newly published authors and younger published writers.
In our efforts to include everyone, the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are divided into 35 distinct subject categories, ranging from books on the environment and cooking to sports and family issues. (Please click on the "Categories" tab for a complete list.)
The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards are geared toward stories that appeal to children of all ages. We are looking for stories that inspire, inform, teach or entertain. A Purple Dragonfly Book Awards seal on your book's cover tells parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers they are giving children the very best in reading excellence.
Our judges are industry experts with specific knowledge about the categories over which they preside. Being honored with a Purple Dragonfly Book Award confers credibility upon the winner, as well as provides positive publicity to further their success. The goal of these awards is to give published authors the recognition they deserve and provide a helping hand to further their careers.
Book Award Prizes
 Grand prize: One winner will be chosen from all entries to receive the grand prize. The grand prize winning book must be outstanding in content, readability, entertainment value and overall production and live up to Five Star Publications' strict standards of excellence. The grand prize winner will receive a $300 cash prize, 100 foil award seals (more can be ordered for an extra charge), one hour of marketing consultation from Five Star Publications and $100 worth of Five Star Publications' titles, as well as publicity on Five Star Publications' websites and inclusion in a winners' news release sent to a comprehensive list of media outlets. The grand prize winner will also be placed in the Five Star Dragonfly Book Awards virtual bookstore with a thumbnail of the book's cover, price, one-sentence description and link to Amazon.com for purchasing purposes, if applicable. It will be available at the Dragonfly bookstore for no less than two years.
First place: All first place winners of categories will be put into a drawing for a $100 prize. In addition, each first place winner in each category receives a certificate commemorating their accomplishment, 25 foil award seals (more can be ordered for an extra charge) and mention on Five Star Publications' websites. A list of first place winners' will be sent with the winners' news release to a comprehensive list of media outlets. First place winners will also be placed in the Five Star Dragonfly Book Awards virtual bookstore with a thumbnail of the book's cover, price, one-sentence description and link to Amazon.com for purchasing purposes, if applicable. It will be available at the Dragonfly bookstore for no less than two years.
Second place: One second place winner will be chosen in each category. Second place winners receive a certificate commemorating their accomplishment and mention on Five Star Publications' websites.
Note: In order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score of 55 out of 80 must be earned before a place will be awarded to the entrant, even if it is the sole entry in a category.
Book Contest Rules
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Eligibility
The awards are open to books published in any calendar year and in any country that are available for purchase. Books entered must be printed in English. The following are not permitted to enter the contest: employees of Five Star Publications and their immediate family members; Five Star contributing editors and writers; any author affiliated with Five Star Publications; and close acquaintances and relatives of any of the judges. Traditionally published, partnership published and self-published books are permitted, as long as they fit the above criteria. E-books are not permitted; although, Five Star does have plans for an e-book contest in the future, so please check www.FiveStarBookAwards.com periodically for notification of contest launch. Note: because there is no publication date restriction as long as the book is still in print, past winners may re-enter the contest, but are only permitted to enter categories in which the did not previously enter.
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Entry Fees
While we wish we didn't have to charge entry fees, they are necessary, as they cover the cost of implementing and running the contest, including marketing and public relations for both the contest itself and announcing the winners of the contest, winners' prize money, shipping books to judges, updating contest websites, printed certificates or awards, etc. Also note that a portion of the proceeds from each Dragonfly Book Awards contest is donated to Kids Can Publish. Visit www.KidsCanPublish.com for more details on this worthy endeavor. The entry fee for the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest is $50 for one title in one category, $45 per title when multiple books are entered or $45 per category when one book is entered in multiple categories. All entry fees are per title, per category. Participants may enter one book in one category, one book in multiple categories or several different books in one or more categories, as long as they pay separate entry fees for each book/category entered, submit a separate entry form for each category and mail in the appropriate amount of book copies. See "*Example" under submission guidelines for further clarification.
If you would like to pay by Paypal, please send us an email and we'll be happy to send you a Paypal invoice.
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Submission guidelines
Participants should mail two copies of each book for each category in which it is entered, as we have separate judges for each category. Along with the books, send one completed entry form per title for each category in which the book is entered* and payment (check or money order) to Five Star Publications, Attn: Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, Five Star Publications, Inc., 4696 W. Tyson St., Chandler, AZ 85226-2903. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Five Star Publications. Please be aware that no books will be returned; all will be donated.
* Example: If you wish to enter one title in three categories, mail six copies of the book and three entry forms (one filled out for each category); the entry fee would be 3 x $45 or $135. If you wish to enter three titles in three categories, mail two copies of each book and three entry forms (one filled out for each category); the entry fee would be 3 x $45 or $135. If you wish to enter one title in one category, mail two copies of the book and one entry form; the entry fee would be $50. If you wish to enter two different books in the same single category, mail two copies of each book and two entry forms; the entry fee would be 2 x $45 or $90.
If you are entering more than one book into the competition, you may mail all entries in the same envelope and write one check for the total entry fee.
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Deadline & Early Bird Special
  Submissions postmarked March 1, 2013 or earlier that meet all submission requirements are eligible for the Early Bird reward: a free e-copy of "The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing or "Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show." Please indicate on your entry form which book you would prefer to have emailed to you at no charge if your submission meets the criteria of the Early Bird Special. Click on the icons to the right for more information on each book.
The final deadline for submissions is May 1, 2013; to be eligible, submissions must be postmarked May 1, 2013 or earlier. Submissions postmarked after that date will not be considered for an award, and books will not be returned; however, we will refund your entry fee.
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Book Award Categories
You may enter as many books as you like in each of the following categories. You may also enter single titles in multiple categories:
- Fiction: Collection of short stories
- Board Books
- Children's Picture Books - 5 & Younger
- Children's Picture Books - 6 & Older
- Children's Activity Books
- Children's Chapter Books
- Young Adult Fiction
- Young Adult Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Historical Fiction
- History Nonfiction
- Science Fiction/Fantasy
- Biography/Autobiography/Memoir
- Green Books/Environmental Issues (Books dealing with environmental issues, recycling, conservation of our planet's resources, etc.)
- Spiritual/Religious (Books that address religion and/or spiritual matters, including books on death and grieving.
- Animals/Pets (Books about animals and family pets)
- Food-Related (Cookbooks, food travel, food history, about food)
- Collecting/Hobbies (Books about hobbies for children)
- Sports (Books about sports and/or athletes)
- Charity/Making a difference (Books that teach children the importance of giving and showing compassion for others in need)
- Cultural Diversity (Books that impart an appreciation for different cultures, races and ethnicities)
- Family matters (Books that deal with issues affecting the family, such as divorce, adoption, a new baby, moving, etc.)
- Growing Pains (Books that help children understand the changes they go through as they mature)
- Health (Books on general health topics that teach children how to lead healthy lifestyles)
- Educational/Instructional (How-to books and books that teach, such as books on math or how to fly a kite)
- School Issues (Books dealing with issues children may encounter at school, such as bullying, making new friends, etc.)
- Outdoor Recreation (Books on outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by children and the whole family, such as camping, hiking, fishing, etc.)
- Exercise/Fitness (Books that teach children how to keep physically fit.)
- Text Books
- Arts/Music (Books that help children develop an appreciation for art, theater, photography, music, etc.)
- Best cover design
- Best interior design
- Best Illustrations
- Best Photography
- General (Any categories not listed above)
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Judging Process
Judging will be based on content, originality and overall readability, with emphasis on innovation and creativity. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, reviewing, bookselling and publishing, as well as industry experts in specific fields. Every entry will be read by the judges, whose decisions are final. Top award winners will be notified by mail on or before June 15, 2013. Prizes/awards certificates for the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards will be mailed immediately following notification.
The judges reserve the right to switch the category for an entry, to cancel a category if the number of entries is insufficient or to decide not to have a winner if the level of the best entries is not up to publishing industry standards.
Note: In order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score of 55 out of 80 must be earned before a place will be awarded to the entrant, even if it is the sole entry in a category.
Any entry not conforming to the guidelines will be disqualified without author notification. There will be no refund for disqualified entries.
To understand exactly what our judges are looking for in each category, click on the "Judging Criteria" button below and search for the contest categories you are interested in. These are the exact sheets our judges use.
If you have expert knowledge in book publishing, writing in any of these categories and would like to become a judge, call 480-940-8182 or email info@FiveStarPublications.com and let us know.
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Questions?
Please carefully review all of the information above before making your submission to the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards competition. For additional questions, contact Five Star Publications at 480-940-8182 or toll free at 866-471-0777. Email info@FiveStarPublications.com.
Click Here to Download Book Contest Entry Form
(Note: You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this form. This is pre-installed on most computers, but you can also install a free version of this software at Adobe.com)
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P: 480-940-8182
