Call for Entries

Each year The Alcuin Society holds its book design competition Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada. The next Call for Entries will be for books published in 2024. These will be judged in March 2025.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a book must have been:

  • Published in 2024 by a Canadian publisher

  • Designed by a Canadian designer

Canadian editions, co-editions and simultaneous editions are eligible if designed and published in Canada in their entirety. There is no limit to the number of titles you may enter.

We welcome entries from experienced designers and design students alike.

Categories

Judges select books in nine categories to encourage the very best in Canadian design, only where they see exceptional merit. These are:

  1. Children's Picture Books / Livres illustrés pour enfants

  2. Comics/Graphic Novels / Bande dessinées

  3. Limited editions / Éditions à tirage limité

  4. Pictorial / Beaux livres

  5. Poetry / Poésie

  6. Prose: fiction / Romans et nouvelles

  7. Prose: illustrated / Prose illustrée

  8. Prose: non-fiction / Études et essais

  9. Reference / Ouvrages de référence

First, second and third prizes may be awarded in each category, with honorable mentions included. Winners will be notified as soon as possible prior to the official results announcement.

SELECTION

To enter, please send:

  1. One copy of each title being entered

  2. Printed copy of the entry form (in either English or French) for each title

  3. Printed copy of the online receipt for the total amount for the book(s) entered, or a cheque, or money order made payable to The Alcuin Society.

All entries must be received by March 7, 2025.

APPLICATION

Fees

The entry fee is $45 per title ($35 for Alcuin Society members). In addition, we are offering a discount of 15% for 4 or more entries.

We encourage you to become members; the annual fee is still only $50. You will receive the benefits of Membership including 3 issues of Amphora and a copy of the catalogue of the winners of the Excellence in Book Design in Canada.

You can pay via cheque or online by clicking the button below. Please make sure to include (1) a copy of your receipt of online payment and (2) a copy of the printed out entry form in your package even if your payment is made online.

Questions?

Please write to:

Chester Gryski
Alcuin Awards Director
awards@alcuinsociety.com