Reader Voting Instructions
BOOK CATEGORIES:
Women’s Fiction – serious women’s issues, can have humor and/or suspense elements
Contemporary Romance/Historic Romance — the primary element is love/marriage, then or now
Suspense/Thriller/Mystery/Romantic Suspense/Historic Suspense — crime fiction, there’s probably a body
Speculative — sci-fi, fantasy, horror, etc
Action Adventure/Western/Historic Epic Fiction — exploits, quest, daring, expansive
Young Adult (YA) — appeals to ages 12 – 22-ish
**Note: submit Urban Fiction into the category where it best fits (ie, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult, etc.)
The types of books readers should consider: traditional Christian, realistic Christian and edgy Christian, biblical, stories from a Christian worldview, inspirational, redemptive themed, Messianic, faith-based, grace and forgiveness oriented, marriage and family friendly, spiritually and emotionally healing, miraculous and mythical fiction, and more.
WHO CAN VOTE FOR NOVELS:
Individuals (not organizations) readers who maintain a networking page (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, ShoutLife, Linkedin, Ning sites, etc.) created before November 1, 2011.
If a novel is submitted in an incorrect category, the Board will move it to the correct category rather than discount the vote. The Panel makes all decisions on what votes will be accepted, but it is not our aim to exclude or disqualify, but rather to be inclusive.
Authors can vote, but not for your own novel(s).
Board members and judges can vote, but not for their own novel(s).
CRITERIA FOR NOVELS:
Original novels presenting a Christian worldview written in English, published in hard cover, trade paperback, or in Ebook format.
Traditional publishers, Small press, Indie publishers, self-published works. To us, Pbooks and Ebooks all compete on the same level playing field.
The novel must have been released between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.
Most of all, the novel must reach the highest of literary standards and add something of value to Christian fiction and the Christian community.
READER VOTING SUGGESTIONS:
1. Was the novel well written? Did the author use language correctly? Did it make sense?
2. Was the plotline logical? Did any plot turns surprise you? In a good way, as in what a surprise but this really works — or in a bad way, as in “Yikes” this doesn’t work at all?
3. Did the characters feel like living people? Could you identify with the characters and their situations in the novel? Were the scenes plausible?
4. How about pacing? Did you ever get bored?
5. Was the novel true to its setting: time, place?
6. Did the novel fulfill your expectations for its genre?
7. Finally, was the novel entertaining? Did it uplift, send you on an emotional roller coaster, have you on the edge of your seat, tickle your funny bone (depending on the category)?
8. Did the novel engage your Christian walk in some meaningful way and do you think it adds something of value to Christian fiction and the Christian community?
