2026 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!
NMBA Members receive discounts (Become a Member)
for authors, book designers, publishers, authors, editors, printers, and more!
NMBA Members receive discounts (Become a Member)
You are invited to enter the 13th annual 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.
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.
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
- General fiction
- Mystery, thriller
- Romance
- Science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction
- Graphic novel
- Biography, autobiography, memoir
- History and political science
- Scholarly, technical
- Guide (travel, recreation, sports, cookbooks, gardening, crafts, how-to)
Eligibility
To be eligible, a title:
To be eligible, a title:
- Must have a 2023-2026 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 19, 2026
All books, entry forms, and checks/payment must be received by June 19, 2026. Send one (1) copy of each title with the entry form and pay online or by check.
Mailing Address
Send books and checks to:
Anna Sochocky
7 Avenida Vista Grande
B7-490
Santa Fe, NM 87508
Checks payable to: New Mexico Book Association
All books, entry forms, and checks/payment must be received by June 19, 2026. Send one (1) copy of each title with the entry form and pay online or by check.
Mailing Address
Send books and checks to:
Anna Sochocky
7 Avenida Vista Grande
B7-490
Santa Fe, NM 87508
Checks payable to: New Mexico Book Association
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
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 8, 2026: Early Bird Discount
May 8, 2026: Early Bird Discount
- $10 off on the first category for a title
- $40 each title (first category)
- $25 each additional category
- $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.
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 Summer Gala, where an awards ceremony will announce the winners. The time and place of the Gala remains to be announced.
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.
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 Summer Gala, where an awards ceremony will announce the winners. The time and place of the Gala remains to be announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Those published from 2023 to 2026.
You are allowed a grace period of one week beyond the deadline. Books must be received by then for your book to be judged.
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).
Yes, as long as it meets the criteria.
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:
7 Avenida Vista Grande
B7-490
Santa Fe, NM 87508
- Submit an entry form for each title you are submitting.
- After your entry form is submitted, you will be prompted to pay. You can pay online or send a check payable to New Mexico Book Association.
- Be sure to send one (1) copy of each title (along with your check, if paying by check) to:
7 Avenida Vista Grande
B7-490
Santa Fe, NM 87508