NEW MEXICO BOOK ASSOCIATION
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2025 Southwest Book Design 

& Production Awards


New Mexico Book Association is pleased to offer this award program
for authors, book designers, publishers, authors, editors, printers, and more!

Must have a 2022-2025 copyright and ISBN
NMBA Members receive discounts (Become a Member)
You are invited to enter the twelfth annual New Mexico Book Association (NMBA) Southwest Book Design and Production Awards (SWBDA)!
​

SWBDA recognizes creativity and quality in book design and distinction in production.

The awards are designed to showcase excellence in book design and publishing — and to help raise the standards of book design and production — throughout the Southwest.

Books are judged on the principles and elements of design, including industry–accepted format, visual appeal, and consistency.
payment portal for submissions
Download SWBDA Brochure
SWBDA Judging Criteria
Categories
  • Each category may have one or more finalists and one or more winners, at the discretion of the judges.
  • One or more books will be awarded the Jim Mafchir SWBDA Best-in-Show Award.​
  • Items in categories 1–14 may be submitted in any language.
  • Category 16 requires two languages, but they may be any two languages

  1. General fiction
  2. Mystery, thriller
  3. Romance
  4. Science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction
  5. Graphic novel
  6. Biography, autobiography, memoir
  7. History and political science
  8. Scholarly, technical
  9. Guide (travel, recreation, sports, cookbooks, gardening, crafts, how-to)
Eligibility
To be eligible, a title:
  • Must have a 2022-2025 copyright.
  • Must have an ISBN.
  • May be a revised edition with a new ISBN, new cover, and revised or additional text.
  • Must be published in the Southwest or
  • Must have as its primary creator (author, photographer, illustrator, designer) someone with an association with the Southwest or
  • Must have a subject matter related to the Southwest.
  • For the purposes of the contest, the Southwest is defined as the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
Deadline: June 20, 2025
All books, entry forms, and checks/payment must be received by June 20, 2025. Send one (1) copy of each title with the entry form and pay online or by check.


Mailing Address
Send books and checks to:

     New Mexico Book Association
     ℅ Jordan Jones, Coyote Arts LLC
     PO Box 6690
     
Albuquerque, NM 87197-6690
10. Body, mind, spirit
11.  Poetry
​12.  Gift books (special format)
13.  Children’s
14.  Young adult
15.  LGBTQ+
16.  Bilingual (any category, any two languages)
17.  Art
18.  Photography 
​Entry Fees
May 9, 2025: Early Bird Discount
  • ​$10 off on the first category for a title
NMBA Members
  • $40 each title (first category)
  • $25 each additional category​
Non-Members
  • $60 each title (first category)
  • $40 each additional category​​
Criteria
Criteria include interior and exterior book design, industry-accepted format, consistency, typography, choice of paper and cover stock, illustrations (if any), the quality of printing and binding, and the visual appeal of the book.

For more information on criteria, see SWBDA Judging Criteria (pending).


Judging
Judges are industry professionals selected for their experience in book design, production, and book sales. 

Judges reserve the right to move an entry to a category more appropriate for that entry.


Finalists will be notified and invited to attend the NMBA Gala, where an awards ceremony will announce the winners. The time and place of the Gala remains to be announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What books can I submit?
Those published from 2021 to 2024.
Will my book arrive by the deadline?

You are allowed a grace period of one week beyond the deadline. Books must be received by then for your book to be judged. 

What category is appropriate for submitting my novel?
Any novel that does not fit within categories 2–4 (Mystery, thriller; Romance; Science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction) should be submitted for category 1 (general fiction).
Can I re-submit a book that didn't win an award in prior years?
Yes, as long as it meets the criteria.
Can I submit a self-published book?
Yes. Books can come from the the general book trade, including books published by major presses, independent presses, and by their authors.
To Enter Online:
  1. Submit an entry form for each title you are submitting.
  2. After your entry form is submitted, you will be prompted to pay. You can pay online or send a check.
  3. Be sure to send one (1) copy of each title (along with your check, if paying by check) to: 
    ​
         New Mexico Book Association
         ℅ Jordan Jones, Coyote Arts LLC
         PO Box 6690
         Albuquerque, NM 87197-6690
payment portal for submissions
Download SWBDA Brochure
PURCHASE AWARD STICKERS
New Mexico’s Only Nonprofit Serving All Book Professionals
Picture
MAILING ADDRESS
New Mexico Book Association
​PO Box 1285 
Santa Fe, NM 87504
EMAIL ADDRESS
[email protected]
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  • Join / Renew
    • New Member Join
    • Our Member Directory
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  • About
  • SHOP
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • 25 Summer Gala
    • In Person Monthly Networking Meetings
    • Richard Harris Awards
    • Workshops
    • Meet the Authors
    • NM Writers Dinner Book Display
  • Blog
  • SWBDA Awards
    • 2025 SWBDA Awards
    • PAST AWARD WINNERS >
      • Purchase Award Stickers
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
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  • News
    • NMBA Virtual Book Store
    • Libro Nuevo Entry
  • Members Only Area
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