Listen to or download this article:

The 2025 CIBAs are in full swing!

Your book deserves to be discovered!

First off, congratulations again to all the winners of the 2024 CIBAs! Those who entered received regular promotion throughout the year as they advanced from the Long List all the way through the Tiers of Achievement to become First Place Category Winners, Division Grand Prize Winners, and, of course, the honor only afforded one author, our Overall Grand Prize Winner Reenita Malhotra Hora, who took home the $1,000 cash grand prize!

In addition to the promotion on our high traffic website, social media, and newsletter blasts, all winners will be receiving the coveted Chanticleer Blue Ribbon. Division Grand Prize winners receive, on top of all this, a Chanticleer Editorial Review and an opportunity to participate in a Chanticleer interview. The Grand Prize Winners will have their books featured year-round on their division awards page, and they will be featured for the next five years in their respective Hall of Fame posts. Congratulations again to all winners and all who participated in the 2024 CIBAs!

Who will be the next winners in the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards?

Does your book have what it takes? Join the authors who have taken the leap to have their work professionally vetted by one of the industry’s most respected awards programs. Each stage of the CIBA journey—from entering the Award to finding your eventual tier of achievement—is worth crowing about and celebrating with your following.

Whether you’re an established author with a dedicated readership or a writer with a manuscript hoping to improve your chances of catching the right publisher’s eye, the CIBAs are well-worth the effort! Our multi-tiered advancement system ensures that every qualified entry receives multiple opportunities for recognition and promotion throughout the year.

The CIBA Difference: Real Impact on Author Success

What sets the Chanticleer International Book Awards apart is our commitment to creating genuine, lasting promotional opportunities for authors. When we say we help increase your digital footprint, we mean it!

Authors who have participated in our awards program consistently report:

  • Increased visibility on retail platforms
  • Higher conversion rates when potential readers discover their CIBA achievement
  • Enhanced credibility with readers, reviewers, and industry professionals
  • Valuable connections within the Chanticleer community of authors
  • Improved confidence in their writing career

More Than Just Book Awards

At Chanticleer, we understand that every author’s journey is unique. That’s why we go beyond the standard awards process to provide personalized attention and support. Our dedication to authors includes:

  • Individual consideration of each submission, with options to move books to more appropriate divisions when it could improve your chances of winning
  • Free judging notes by request for finalists and above, providing valuable feedback directly from our expert readers
  • Open communication throughout the process, ensuring you’re never left wondering about your book’s status
  • Certificates upon request to celebrate your achievement
  • Generous deadline flexibility when authors need a little extra time

This commitment to personal attention is what truly distinguishes the CIBAs from other book awards. We don’t just evaluate your book—we champion its success.

An endless sea of blue ribbons to hand out

As Levar Burton says, you don’t have to take our word for it:

Thank you for this exciting news! I really appreciate all the hard work you and your team put into the awards! – D.V. Chernov, author of Commissar: A Novel of Civil War Russia

A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

I am so excited and honored to be included as a finalist with this amazing group of authors. Thank you Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media! – Tracy Cram Perkins, I&I 1st Place Winner of Dementia Home Care

A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

To Everyone at Chanticleer,

Your passion for storytelling and your dedication to those that tell them is second to none! Not even a global pandemic could stop you. Thank you for all that you do to promote and support independent authors, such as myself.

–Ryan Young, author of The Shepherd’s Burden, a First Place Winner in Paranormal Awards

A Gold Ribbon dividing this section from the next

Thank you for all the hard work you put in. This is such a great contest, and the support you provide to authors is incredible. – E. E. Burke, Laramie Grand Prize Author of Tom Sawyer Returns

Tangible Benefits That Make a Difference

The CIBAs aren’t just about prestige—they provide concrete benefits that help authors succeed:

  • $1,000 Cash Prize for the Overall Grand Prize Winner
  • Promotional Stickers that catch readers’ eyes and boost sales at book events
  • Digital Badges for your website, social media, and marketing materials
  • Blue Ribbon Packages to display proudly
  • Editorial Reviews and Featured Interviews for Division Grand Prize Winners
  • Five Years of Promotion in our Hall of Fame for Grand Prize Winners

These tangible benefits translate directly into increased visibility, credibility, and sales opportunities for authors at every level of recognition.

2025 CIBA Calendar: Key Dates to Remember

Calendar, red, black

Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in these prestigious awards! Here’s the complete calendar of upcoming CIBA deadlines for 2025:

You can see the full list of CIBAs here as well

Division Submission Deadline
Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction June 30, 2025
Ozma Awards for Fantasy Fiction June 30, 2025
Shelley Awards for Paranormal Fiction June 30, 2025
Global Thriller Awards for High Stakes Suspense July 31, 2025
Clue Awards for Thriller/Suspense July 31, 2025
M&M Awards for Cozy and Not-so-Cozy Mysteries July 31, 2025
Book Series Awards for Fiction & Non-Fiction July 31, 2025
SEA Shorts Awards for Short Stories, Essays, and Novellas  July 31, 2025
NEW: Collection and Anthology Awards July 31, 2025
CCDA: Chanticleer Cover Design Awards for Fiction July 31, 2025
CCDA: Chanticleer Cover Design Awards for Non-Fiction July 31, 2025
Laramie Awards for Americana Fiction August 31, 2025
Chaucer Awards for Early Historical Fiction August 31, 2025
Goethe Awards for Late Historical Fiction August 31, 2025
Hemingway Awards for 20th c. Wartime Fiction August 31, 2025
Nellie Bly Awards for Longform Journalistic Non-Fiction August 31, 2025
Journey Awards for Overcoming Adversity in Non-Fiction August 31, 2025
Hearten Awards for Uplifting & Inspiring Non-Fiction August 31, 2025
Military & Front Line Awards for Service to Others Non-Fiction August 31, 2025
Dante Rossetti Awards for Young Adult Fiction September 30, 2025
Gertrude Warner Awards for Middle Grade Fiction September 30, 2025
Little Peeps Awards for Early Readers September 30, 2025
I&I Awards for How-To and Self Help Non-Fiction September 30, 2025
Harvey Chute Awards for Business & Finance September 30, 2025
Mind & Spirit Awards for Well-Being and Enlightenment September 30, 2025
Chatelaine Awards for Romance and Women’s Fiction October 31, 2025
Humor & Satire Awards October 31, 2025
Somerset Awards for Literary & Contemporary Fiction October 31, 2025

Keep in mind that these deadlines can be flexible. If enough authors reach out for an extension, we are happy to move them or make an exception. Please reach out to info@ChantiReviews.com with any questions related to deadlines or submission guidelines.

With 28 divisions, there’s something for everyone!

The CIBAs are a labor of love carefully organized for maximum breadth while staying focused and competitive. Our judges come from all around the world, hold degrees in higher education, have worked in the publishing industry for years, and love great books.

What truly sets the CIBAs apart is our commitment to authors at every stage. Unlike many other contests, we provide:

  • Multiple tiers of advancement with promotional opportunities at each level
  • Digital badges for your marketing materials
  • Professional foil stickers for your book covers
  • Personalized judging notes (by request for finalists and above)
  • A supportive community through The Roost platform
  • Year-round promotion for winners across multiple channels

Why Choose the CIBAs?

The 2024 CIBA Grand Prize Winners who attended CAC25! Congratulations to all!

In an increasingly crowded book marketplace, professional vetting and third-party recognition have never been more important. The Chanticleer International Book Awards have established themselves as a trusted source for identifying excellence in independent and traditionally published books across genres.

When readers, bookstore owners, and industry professionals see the CIBA seal on your book, they know it has been thoroughly evaluated and stands among the best in its category.

Your book deserves to be discovered. Enter the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards today!

Blue button that says Enter a Writing Contest

Don’t Delay! Enter Today!

Have questions about which division is right for your book? Contact us at info@ChantiReviews.com, and our team will be happy to help guide you to the perfect match for your work.