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Faith and religion book awards
Recognition for books that teach within a faith tradition, from theology and scripture to practice and religious history. Every book is read in full and measured against our published Standard of Excellence.
What this category recognizes
This is the category for books that teach. Theology, doctrine, scriptural study, apologetics, religious history, and books about how a faith is practised. It is open to every tradition, and books are assessed against what they are trying to do within their own tradition rather than against any other. Books about inner life not bound to a tradition belong in Spirituality; books structured as daily readings belong in Devotional; books written to encourage a general reader belong in Inspirational.
What the standard looks like in faith and religion
The ten pillars apply to every category. This is how each one is read when the book is a faith and religion book.
The Writing
Voice, Tone and Style
Whether the author writes with authority earned through study rather than asserted through register.
Craft and Technical Execution
Whether difficult theological or historical material is made clear without being flattened.
Structure and Organization
Whether the argument builds, and whether a reader can navigate back to what they need.
The Substance
Originality and Concept Strength
Whether the book contributes to a conversation that has been running for centuries rather than restating it.
Depth of Content and Insight
Whether the book engages with the hard questions in its own tradition rather than the comfortable ones.
The Reader
Audience Impact and Purpose Fulfillment
Whether the book serves the reader it addresses, whether that is a scholar, a practitioner, or someone new to the tradition.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Whether the material is felt as well as understood.
Overall Impact and Distinction
Whether the reader’s understanding of the tradition is changed rather than confirmed.
The Finished Book
Production Quality and Presentation
Trade-standard production, with accurate citation of scripture and sources.
Category Relevance
Whether the book genuinely teaches within a tradition rather than encouraging, reflecting, or recounting.
Spirituality, Faith and Religion, Devotional, Inspirational, or Faith-Based Fiction?
Spirituality
Inner life and meaning, not bound to one tradition.
Tell: the subject is the interior, and no doctrine is assumed.
Faith and Religion
Theology, doctrine, practice, and religious history.
Tell: it teaches, and it assumes or explains a tradition.
Devotional
Read in pieces rather than through.
Tell: nobody reads it cover to cover in one sitting.
Inspirational
Encouragement and hope, for any reader.
Tell: the reader finishes steadier, not taught.
Faith-Based Fiction
A story shaped by faith or belief.
Tell: the author made it up.
Questions about entering a faith and religion book
Is this category open to all traditions?
Yes. Books are assessed against what they set out to do within their own tradition.
Do I need formal theological training?
No. The work is assessed, not the credential.
My book is a Bible study. Does it belong here or in Devotional?
Here, if it teaches. Devotional, if it is structured as short daily readings.
Related categories
Submit your faith and religion book
Entry is $79 for your first category. Your complete manuscript is read in full and measured against the ten pillars.