CMA Book Awards

Honoring excellence in Catholic publishing

 

The CMA Book Awards honor the authors, publishers and editors whose work enriches the Catholic literary landscape. Each year we recognize books that resonate with Catholic values, promote faith and inspire reflection, from theology and spirituality to history, fiction and children's literature.

Winners are revealed at the Catholic Media Conference and featured on the CMA website, our social media channels and the annual awards edition of The Catholic Journalist.

Join us in acknowledging the profound impact of literature in enriching faith. Submit your work and be part of this significant and cherished tradition.

Submit Your EntriesView Categories

New for 2027

  • No separate international division. Books from any country may be entered in whichever category fits their topic. The entire submission must be in English.
  • Physical copies for every entry. Each submission requires two hardcover or paperback copies, including international entries.

Key Dates

Submissions openNovember 2, 2026
Regular deadlineJanuary 31, 202711:59 p.m. CT
Extended periodFebruary 1 to 7, 202711:59 p.m. CT. Extension fees apply.
Books and payment dueFebruary 12, 2027Physical copies must arrive at the CMA office.
Awards presentationJuly 16, 2027Catholic Media Conference, Oklahoma City

Entry Fees

Per entry Regular periodNov. 2, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 Extended periodFeb. 1 to 7, 2027
CMA members $38 $48
Non-members $79 $89
  • Fees apply to each category a book is entered in.
  • To receive member rates, members must be in good standing as of March 31, 2027.
  • Publishers must be General Publisher Members, and individual authors or editors must be Freelance or Affiliate Members, to qualify for the member rate.

How to Enter

Every entry has two parts: an online submission here and two labeled copies of the book mailed to the CMA office.

1. Submit online

  • Enter the book information and a cover image through this portal.
  • Include all contributing authors and editors.
  • There is no limit to the number of categories a single book may be entered in. To save time, duplicate a finished form, then change the category and update the files.

2. Label your books

  • Print the labels, fill out all information and affix one to the outside front cover of every book. Books without labels will be disqualified.
  • Shipping straight from a distribution center? Email a PDF of your labels to Awards@CatholicMediaAssociation.org and tell us the source and invoice number so we can match your books when they arrive.
Download the Book Labels (PDF)

3. Ship two copies

  • Send two physical copies (hardcover or paperback) for each category entered. Entering one book in three categories means six copies.
  • For a series, send two copies of the full set of books.
  • Send clean copies with no marks or highlighting. Books are used for judging and are not returned.
  • Keep each box under 25 lbs. and number the boxes (Box 1 of 3, Box 2 of 3 and so on).

Ship to:
Catholic Media Association
10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 875
Chicago, IL 60606

4. Pay

  • Check out from your cart and pay online by credit card.
  • Or pay by check, payable to the Catholic Media Association, with a copy of your invoice. If you are also shipping books, put the invoice and payment in Box 1.
  • Books and payment must arrive by February 12, 2027.

Mail checks to:
CMA Awards Program
Catholic Media Association
10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 875
Chicago, IL 60606

Rules and Eligibility

Who can enter

  • You do not have to be a CMA member to enter. Members receive a discounted entry fee.
  • Entries may come from a publishing organization, author or editor. Publishers may submit any book they have published that meets the requirements. Authors may submit their original or co-authored work, and editors their own compilations or reference materials.
  • Copy editors and translators are not eligible.
  • Neither the author nor the publishing company needs to be Catholic.

Eligible books

  • Books must be published in calendar year 2026, except in categories labeled multi-year.
  • All categories are open to international submissions. The entire submission must be in English.
  • Work must resonate with Catholic values.
  • Entries must be original work that is appropriately credited. Entries deemed plagiarized or incorrectly credited will be disqualified.
  • Entries in a multi-year category must not have placed in a previous awards season.

Reasons for disqualification

Entrants must follow all CMA Book Awards rules on deadlines, submission instructions and payment. Entries may also be removed for these reasons:

  • Too few entries in a category. Every category needs at least two entries to be judged. If a category receives only one, we will try to move it to another category. If it can't be moved, the entry fee is refunded and the entrant is notified by email.
  • Missing requirements. Entries must include every required component and be submitted correctly. Please check the category descriptions.
  • Wrong number of books. Two physical copies are required for each category entered. If too few arrive, we will contact you. With no response, the entry is disqualified and refunded, and the books are not returned.

Judging

Book judges include editors, authors, academics and professionals familiar with Catholic publishing. Interested in judging the 2027 season? Email Awards@CatholicMediaAssociation.org.

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