Advice for writers
for writers
What Reviews and Awards Does Atmosphere Press Submit Your Book To?
At Atmosphere Press, we submit your book to carefully selected editorial review outlets and literary awards based on its genre, audience, and positioning. This may include respected review platforms like Kirkus Reviews and BookLife Reviews, as well as established awards such as the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the North Street Book Prize.
How Atmosphere Press Selects Reviews and Awards for Your Book
Reviews and awards serve a similar purpose: they help your book gain credibility, visibility, and recognition in a competitive market.
At Atmosphere Press, we approach both strategically. Rather than submitting every book to the same outlets or competitions, we:
➜ Evaluate your book’s genre and audience
➜ Consider its tone, themes, and positioning
➜ Select opportunities where it has the strongest chance of success
This ensures that each submission supports your book’s broader marketing strategy—not just activity for its own sake!
What Editorial Reviews Atmosphere Press Submits Your Book To
Editorial reviews are professionally written evaluations of your book, typically from established literary platforms.
Depending on your publicity package, we may submit your book to:
➜ Industry-recognized outlets, including Kirkus Reviews and BookLife Reviews
➜ Targeted review platforms aligned with your genre or niche audience
➜ Reader discovery platforms such as NetGalley
Each submission is handled on your behalf. We manage the process, track timelines, and deliver the completed reviews to you once they’re available.
How We Choose the Right Review Outlets
Not every book is submitted to the same review outlets—and that’s intentional.
We choose placements based on:
➜ Genre fit (what kinds of books the outlet reviews)
➜ Audience alignment (who reads and trusts that platform)
➜ Marketing goals (credibility, discoverability, or both)
For example, a literary novel may benefit from different review outlets than a children’s book or a niche nonfiction title.
Your reviews are selected to support how your book is positioned—not just to check a box.
What Awards Atmosphere Press Submits Books To
In addition to reviews, we submit books to a curated shortlist of literary awards.
These may include:
➜ The Next Generation Indie Book Awards
➜ The North Street Book Prize
➜ The Stonewall Book Awards
We select awards using the same criteria as reviews: genre and category fit, audience and subject matter, and timing around your book’s release.
Because many of these competitions include submissions from both independent and traditionally published books, they offer meaningful opportunities for recognition.
What to Expect from the Book Awards Submission Process
Awards operate on longer timelines than most other parts of the marketing process.
After submission, it may take several months for results to be announced, and additional time depending on the award’s judging cycle.
We keep you informed when your book is submitted and help set expectations around timing. Updates are often discussed during strategy calls as results come in.
Awards are a long-term visibility tool—not an immediate marketing result.
How Reviews and Awards Help Your Book
Both reviews and awards play a key role in how your book is perceived.
They can:
➜ Build credibility with readers and industry professionals
➜ Strengthen your position when approaching bookstores or media
➜ Provide professional language you can reuse in marketing
➜ Increase discoverability across platforms
For example, a recognized review from Kirkus Reviews or an award nomination can significantly strengthen how your book is introduced to new audiences.
How We Help You Use Reviews and Awards in Promotion
Once reviews and award results come in, Atmosphere Press helps you incorporate them into your broader marketing efforts.
This can include:
➜ Adding review excerpts to retail listings
➜ Including accolades in your promotional materials
➜ Using recognition in outreach to bookstores, reviewers, and event organizers
These elements become part of your book’s long-term marketing toolkit, not just one-time milestones.
What Reviews and Awards Can and Can’t Do
It’s important to understand their role within the larger marketing process.
They can: increase visibility, add credibility and recognition, and support outreach and promotion.
But they don’t: guarantee sales, ensure media coverage, or replace ongoing marketing efforts.
Reviews and awards are most effective when combined with a broader strategy—which is exactly how we position them!
What This Means for Your Book’s Visibility
When Atmosphere Press submits your book for reviews and awards, we focus on fit, quality, and long-term value.
You receive:
➜ Carefully selected submissions
➜ Professional handling of the process
➜ Credible recognition you can use in marketing
The result is a stronger, more visible presence for your book—supported by validation that helps it stand out in the marketplace.
FAQ: Reviews & Awards
What kinds of reviews does Atmosphere Press submit books to?
We submit books to carefully selected editorial review outlets based on genre, audience, and positioning, including platforms like Kirkus Reviews and BookLife Reviews.
What awards does Atmosphere Press submit books to?
We submit books to a curated shortlist of literary awards, such as the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the North Street Book Prize, based on fit and timing.
Do reviews and awards guarantee book sales?
No. Reviews and awards build credibility and visibility, but they work best as part of a broader marketing strategy and do not guarantee sales.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.