Celebrating excellence in book cover design for paperbacks, digital, and audio books.

PRIZE MONEY

First Prize receives $1,500 and Runner-Up $500.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions are accepted via the online Submission Form only.

Applicants are required to submit:

  • The appropriate files of the cover (see below).
  • A synopsis of the book up to 500 words.
  • An author and/or designer bio.
  • Complete the online submission form in full and pay the submission fee (see below).

Book cover files submitted must be:

  • Files saved as .png or .jpg
  • Image mode RGB
  • Uncropped, no background (seamless/silhouetted or full bleed)
  • Shortest side 2100 pixels at 150 DPI
  • Maximum file size 10 MB

Please include the book title of your cover in the file name.

Submission form details and files will be disposed of securely 6-months after the Whitsundays Writers Festival completes the selection process.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Applicants are encouraged to pay particular attention to the required Award submission format, requested form details, and word limit. If the format and application requirements are not met, submissions may not progress.

Best Book Cover Design Award

  • Submissions for this Award will open Wednesday 14 February and close Wednesday 10 July 2024. Late entries will not be accepted.
  • An author, publisher, or designer is eligible to submit.
  • Applicants must submit their original work for a book published in Australia between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 (testing for artificial intelligence (AI) input may be made).
  • Books scheduled for publication after 30 June 2024 will not be eligible.
  • Book covers designs are eligible if the book is offered for sale to the general public.
  • Any book cover design in any genre is eligible but the book must be at least 24 pages in length.
  • Printed book cover designs must be either case-or paper-bound between covers. Portfolios of loose pages do not qualify.
  • Digitally produced books (ebooks) and audio book cover designs are eligible if they meet the publication release dates.
  • Submitted book cover images must be files saved as .png or .jpg, image mode RGB, uncropped, no background (seamless/silhouetted or full bleed), shortest side 2100 pixels at 150 DPI, and maximum file size 10 MB.
  • A best of genre recognition may be awarded within the shortlist.
  • The submission entry fee for this Award is $60 plus GST.
  • The final number selected for the shortlist are to be at Whitsundays Writers Festival discretion.

Eligibility

  • Applicants are required to be Australian citizens living in Australia or abroad, or permanent residents who reside Australia.
  • Applicants under 18 years are eligible. If applicants are under 18 years they will need permission from their parent or guardian.
  • One-off student projects are not eligible.

Submissions

  • Submissions must be made electronically through the official Festival Awards website.
  • Multiple entries are allowed, but each entry requires a separate entry fee.
  • The decision of the Heart Award Judging Panel is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding evaluation or feedback on submissions.
  • By submitting your work, applicants acknowledge that Whitsundays Writers Festival reserves the right to use accepted work for reproduction in any Heart Awards publications, on its website and social media, in any editorial or exhibition of the Heart Awards’ selections, and for promotional purposes.
  • Whitsundays Writers Festival does not take a percentage of any future option or sale of submitted works, and all rights remain with the author or designer, regardless of their final outcome in the competition.
  • Whitsundays Writers Festival reserves no rights over manuscripts and book cover designs submitted to, or developed during, the Heart Awards.
  • Whitsundays Writers Festival allows applicants to submit their cover design to competitions prior to, during, or following their participation in the Heart Awards.

Nominees & Award Winners

  • Shortlisted nominees and overall category winners will be promoted, and an image and further author and book information might be requested for publicity purposes.
  • The winner and runner-up will receive a monetary prize, certificate, and digital assets.
  • The winner will be announced at an event during the 2024 Whitsundays Writers Festival on 6-8 September 2024.
  • Award Winners will be required to arrange and pay for their own travel expenses if they plan on accepting the Award in person during the 2024 Whitsundays Writers Festival.
  • Prize money will be distributed by bank transfer to an allocated account within one month of the Whitsundays Writers Festival.
  • Successful applicants will be encouraged to promote and support the Heart Awards and Whitsundays Writers Festival through social media, websites, and other forms of media and communications. Successful applicants will also be expected to provide a testimonial for the Heart Awards. 
  • Any credit offered towards the Whitsundays Writers Festival and the Heart Awards – on social media, websites, or media releases – must comply with any direction given by Festival staff, approved use of correct logo and/or graphics, and the Festival given notification of your intention to credit Whitsundays Writers Festival and the Heart Awards.
  • If successful in the future due to exposure or experience gained from the Heart Awards, appropriate credit and acknowledgement of Whitsundays Writers Festival’s role will be expected and appreciated.

KEY DATES

Applications open: 14 February 2024 – 10 July 2024
Shortlist announced: August 2024

Successful applicants will be publicly announced during the Whitsundays Writers Festival, social media channels and email newsletter. Successful applicants will be personally notified by email prior to public announcements.

ENTRY & ASSESSMENT PROCESS

  • Applicants are encouraged to pay particular attention to the required format and application. If the format and application requirements are not met then applications may not progress.
  • Applications must be made via the online Submission Form. Applicants must submit the complete materials requested in the Form, failure to do so may impact the status of the application.
  • Once submitted, application materials cannot be modified or amended.
  • Cover designs will be judged on the digital file (primary image) uploaded during the entry process; no physical copies will be judged and are not required. 
  • Applications incur an administration fee which contributes to the expenses of Whitsundays Writers Festival in administering the Heart Awards.
  • Applicants may enter more than one book cover design to the Heart Awards. However, each entry will require a new submission and incur a separate submission fee.
  • All applicants will be personally notified of the outcome of their application via email.
  • Whitsundays Writers Festival will appoint a Judging Panel to assess all submissions.

SUBMISSION FEE

The submission fee for this Award is AUD$60 plus GST.

  • Fee contributes towards administration expenses of Whitsundays Writers Festival in administering the Heart Awards.
  • No offline payments will be accepted.
  • Please note, Award Winners will be required to arrange and pay for their own travel expenses if they plan on accepting the Award in person during the 2024 Whitsundays Writers Festival.
Submission Form »

GET IN TOUCH

If you have further queries regarding the Heart Awards or your application, contact us.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Whitsundays Writers Festival acknowledges the contribution of the Queensland Writers Centre in the development of these T&Cs.