Recognising the excellence and craftsmanship of the British book design and production industry, the awards are open to all books published, designed or printed in the UK between 1 July 2023 and 1 August 2024.
Attracting around 400 entrants across 17 categories, the Book Awards have now been running for around 15 years. This year’s entry deadline has now been extended to 13 September 2024.
The categories include Best British Book; Fine Binding & Limited Edition; Brand/Series Identity; Self-Published Books; Sustainable Books; Exhibition Catalogues; Photographic Books; Art & Architecture Monographs; Trade Illustrated; Lifestyle Illustrated; Literature; Educational Books; Scholarly, Academic & Reference Books; Children's Trade (0-8/9-16); Best Jacket/Cover Design; and Best Student Book.
Additionally, from the category winners, one book will be crowned the best of the best and awarded Book of the Year.
Industry experts from a range of disciplines, such as design, publishing, production, and retail will judge the entries, and a winner will be selected for each category.
“The Best Student Book category is a great opportunity for those aspiring to enter the industry. It gives students the chance to have their work seen by leading industry professionals and provides the winner with £500 and a short internship with a leading designer, publisher or printer,” the BPIF stated.
BPIF marketing executive Heena Bulsara told Printweek last month that attention to detail was key to a good entry.
“We want to show off these UK companies’ amazing design and print: they’re going the extra mile to make their books stand out.
“We love getting everyone together, too, and we display all the shortlisted books on the night. It’s amazing, because it’s a big job for our judges to whittle it down to the 100 or so that make it to the shortlist: they have to look at every little detail that goes into the book. It’s not just about judging the book by its cover.”
The 2024 awards will take place on 29 January 2025 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
Entries can be made at www.britishbookawards.org while more information is available from marketing@bpif.org.uk.
