Is data failing us? Submit your response to this question in 3,000 words to the Nine Dots Prize for the chance to receive US$100,000 to write a short book expanding on your ideas.
What is the Nine Dots Prize?
The Nine Dots Prize is a prize for creative thinking that tackles contemporary societal issues. Entrants are asked to respond to a question in 3,000 words, with the winner receiving US$100,000 to write a short book expanding on their ideas.
The aim of the Prize is to promote, encourage and engage innovative thinking to address problems facing the modern world. The name of the Prize references the nine dots puzzle - a lateral thinking puzzle which can only be solved by thinking outside the box.
The Prize was established in 2016 and has chosen four winners so far. Previous questions have considered issues around how politics is influenced by digital technologies, what home is, how the relationships between young and old affect the world, and why the rule of law has become so fragile.
Our fifth Cycle launched in October 2024 with the question 'Is data failing us?'.
Now in their seventh year, the hugely popular Selfies book awards - powered by UK book trade journal BookBrunch and sponsored by Ingram Spark® and LitPR - will again reward three self-published authors for their publishing excellence.
Supported by the London Book Fair and Nielsen BookData, these awards recognise a vibrant part of the book market, with submissions now open for indie authors who in 2024 have published a book in one of three categories: adult fiction, adult general non-fiction, children's books. Submissions will be accepted until midnight on Friday 3 January 2025. Shortlists will be announced in February, and the three lucky winners will be announced in the London Book Fair Author HQ in March 2025.
Originally launched in the UK in 2018, this initiative highlights the very best self-published authors each year.
Jo Henry, managing director of BookBrunch, said: "We love receiving submissions for the Selfies Book awards, and every year are impressed anew by the inventiveness, energy and professionalism displayed by these authors who are taking on the responsibility of publishing their own books."
The winner in each category receives £750 plus a profile in BookBrunch and PR support for their title from LitPR, while all shortlisted authors receive free access to the London Book Fair, access to LitPR's education and empowerment resources, and membership of LBF's Author HQ club. Comprising a theatre and networking area, Author HQ provides a forum for discussions on approaches to publishing and includes networking events and 'how-to' style panels, one of which will be curated by the Selfies this year. Shortlisted authors will also be invited to a networking event at the London Book Fair hosted by IngramSpark.
The shortlisted titles are judged by experts from the book industry who are looking for:
A fantastic story that entertains and delights the reader
A well-produced book
An enticing cover and blurb that successfully addresses the target audience
An effective and creative marketing and publicity strategy that has the potential for great sales
All titles submitted for the 2025 awards need to have been published in English between January and December 2024. Entries will only be accepted from UK authors who are self-published, ie where the author themselves acts as the publisher of the book.
In order to register, authors should go to www.bookbrunch.co.uk, click on the subscribe button and select the 6 month subscription box, using the code SELFIESBOOKAWARDS2024. The fee of £34.50 will include a six-month subscription to BookBrunch (normally £69). Please see www.theselfies.co.uk for more details, and follow along on #theselfiesbookawards.
‘Writing is a deeply immersive experience. When the words are flying, the house could be burgled and I wouldn’t notice. I have a low boredom threshold and I like intensity – writing is a way of escaping the quotidian.’