BOOK HONORS
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors will take place Friday, April 9, 2027, as part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Festival weekend.
This special red carpet event was created to recognize and celebrate authors and the stories they bring into the world.
Your book does NOT have to be previously award-winning to be submitted for consideration. Previous awards, bestseller status, book sales, or other honors are not required.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Festival will have its own independent judging panel to review eligible submissions. Books will be evaluated using our established judging criteria, giving submitted books the opportunity to be recognized through the 2027 Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors.
Our goal is to provide a fair and thoughtful review process while celebrating excellence in writing, storytelling, creativity, and impact.
WHO CAN SUBMIT
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors welcomes authors at different stages of their publishing journey.
Both independently published and traditionally published authors may submit eligible books for consideration.
You do not need to be a bestselling author, have a large social media following, or have previously received an award. Each submitted book will be considered based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors judging process and criteria.
Authors do not have to participate as a vendor at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Festival to submit a book for Book Honors consideration
BOOK HONORS CATEGORIES
Books submitted for the 2027 Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors will be considered in one of three categories:
CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR
Celebrating books created to inspire, educate, entertain, and encourage young readers.
FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR
Celebrating imaginative storytelling, compelling characters, creativity, and stories that transport readers into new worlds.
INSPIRATIONAL/FAITH BOOK OF THE YEAR
Celebrating books that encourage, uplift, motivate, or inspire readers toward hope, growth, purpose, and brighter tomorrows.
MEMOIR OF THE YEAR
Celebrating personal stories lived experiences told with authenticity, reflection , and meaniful impact
ROMANCE NOVEL OF THE YEAR
Celebrating stories centered on love and relationships, with engaging characters, emotional depth, and compelling story.
Authors should submit their book in the category that best represents their work.
HOW JUDGING WORKS
Every eligible book submitted to the 2027 Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors will be reviewed by our Book Honors judging panel.
Our judges will use an established scoring rubric so that books within each category are evaluated using the same standards. Judging is based on the submitted book itself—not an author’s popularity, social media following, number of books sold, previous awards, or bestseller status.
Judges will evaluate each book independently and submit their scores. Those scores will be used as part of the process for determining the 2027 Book Honors recipients.
To help maintain fairness and integrity, judges will not be assigned to evaluate a book when a known personal or professional relationship with the author creates a conflict of interest.
WHAT WILL JUDGES LOOK FOR?
Each book will be evaluated according to criteria appropriate to its category. Judges will consider areas such as:
Writing Quality — Clarity, readability, grammar, structure, and overall quality of the writing.
Storytelling & Content — How effectively the book develops and communicates its story, message, or central idea.
Originality & Creativity — The author’s unique voice, perspective, concept, and creative approach.
Reader Impact — The book’s ability to engage, inspire, entertain, educate, or leave a meaningful impression on its intended audience.
Overall Presentation — The organization and professional presentation of the completed book.
Children’s books will also be considered for their effectiveness and appeal for their intended age group, including the relationship between the written story and illustrations when applicable.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for the 2027 Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors, authors must complete the official Book Honors submission form and follow all submission instructions.
A physical copy of the submitted book is required for judging.
Please note:
• One physical copy of each submitted title must be provided for the judging process.
• Submitted books will not be returned.
• Completing festival author registration does not automatically enter a book into Book Honors.
• Book Honors participation is separate from author/vendor registration for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Festival.
• Authors may submit for Book Honors even if they are not participating as an author/vendor at the Saturday festival.
• Books must be submitted in the appropriate Book Honors category.
Mailing/delivery instructions and applicable submission deadlines will be provided to participating authors.
IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE MAILING YOUR BOOK
Do not mail or deliver your physical book until you have completed the official 2027 Book Honors Submission Form.
Your physical book must be matched to a completed submission. Please include your full name and book title with your mailed copy.
Book Honors Submission Address
Mississippi Gulf Coast Book Honors
145 Main Street
Perkinston, MS 39573
Physical books submitted for judging will not be returned.
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES
Please review all Book Honors deadlines carefully. Authors are responsible for completing their submission and ensuring their physical book arrives by the required deadline.
BOOK HONORS SUBMISSION DEADLINE
January 15, 2027
The official Book Honors submission form must be completed by this date.
PHYSICAL BOOK RECEIPT DEADLINE
January 31, 2027
Your physical book must be received, not simply postmarked, by January 31, 2027, to be eligible for judging.
BOOK HONORS & RED CARPET AWARDS NIGHT
Friday, April 9, 2027
Books received after the deadline may not be eligible for consideration. Please mail your book early enough to allow for possible shipping delays.