INSPYs 2017 Nominating Changes and Reminders
Hello, everyone! Today, I have another re-share from INSPYs.com. We’ve changed some of our nomination guidelines, and in preparation of the December 27th nomination form opening, we ask that you read over our refresher reminders before nominating.
Above all, we again thank you for a great 2016 INSPYs, and look forward to what 2017 will bring.
INSPYs 2017 Nominating Changes + Reminders
Good afternoon, readers. Today we have an amendment to our nomination process to announce and some helpful reminders to reiterate.
Earlier this month, we announced one of the changes to our Advisory Board. We said goodbye to a longtime board member, Stacy Millican and welcomed new member, Kara Boone.
Today we’re addressing new nomination changes. This year we are integrating Indie novels into our nomination process. We’re excited to open our nominations to the talented publishing world of independent novels, which has experienced rapid growth. Same as with all of our categories and nominations, there are some rules we ask nominators to apply to their nominations.
Rules Specific to INDIE Novels:
+ In order to be eligible for nomination, an INDIE novel must have a minimum 50 reviews on Goodreads.
+ INDIE books must have a four-star rating average on Goodreads.
+ The popular vote rule still applies; the top 15 novels from each category will constitute our longlists. As an overview reminder, here is our book criteria (which applies to ALL nominations).
- -The book must have been published in print in the United States between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2016. Print books that were first released as eBooks prior to 2016 are ineligible.
- -Reissues and eBooks are not eligible. -The book must possess exceptional literary qualities including but not limited to: innovative, original writing, and depth of characterization.
- -The book must respectfully grapple with some element of the Christian faith. -The book must not have excessive profanity or explicit sex scenes.
Our categories are as follows:
Debut Novel: A debut novel (by a debut author) from any of the categories that is of exemplary literary quality. Unlike other categories, debut novels will be selected and judged by the Advisory Board. Debut novels may also be nominated in their respective categories.
General Fiction: Realistic stories set in historical or contemporary settings that do not have plots with a central romance. This category may include literary and women’s fiction.
Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense: The romance category encompasses all romantic contemporary and suspense subgenres, with the exception of speculative romance. In order to be classified as a contemporary romance, the novel must be set in 1960 to the present. The plot must have a central love story that commonly ends in a happily ever after.
Historical Romance: Any novel set prior to 1960 that includes a plot with a central love story usually ending in a happily ever after. May include elements of suspense and includes all subgenres, such as biblical fiction.
Speculative Fiction: A story with fantastical elements (this includes science fiction, fantasy, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, magical mysticism and alternate history). Middle grade and up.
Mystery & Thriller: Fast paced, action driven stories or mysteries, usually with a clearly defined hero against an evil villain. Includes cozy mysteries, police procedurals, legal thrillers, detective stories, gothic mysteries, historical mysteries, espionage, suspense, crime fiction, psychological thrillers, medical thrillers, and political thrillers.
Literature for Young Adults: Fiction books of any genre, with the exception of speculative fiction, written with a target audience of 13- to 19-year-olds. You may nominate an Indie novel in any of the seven categories listed above. We ask that you please make note of the following criteria before nominating.
Below are a few reminders and refreshers which apply to ALL nominations. Please read through them carefully before you nominate your favorite books on December 27th.
+ When nominating a Debut Novel, please remember, this category is set aside for first-time authors. You can discover an author’s first publication by visiting their respective website or Goodreads page.
+ We reserve the right to move a book to a different category if we deem its nomination is in an inappropriate category. + Every nominator is allowed only one book per category.
+ Same as with INDIE novels, the popular vote rule is still in effect no matter the book; the top 15 novels from each category will constitute our longlists.
Nominations open December 27th. We look forward to discovering the books you loved in 2016.
