Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) Self-Publishing Literary Awards

The BCALA Self-Publishing Literary Awards 2026 are organised by The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), a professional association that supports Black librarians and promotes literature by African American authors. The awards recognise excellence in self-published ebooks across multiple categories, highlighting works by Black writers and providing exposure in the literary community.

Entries must be self-published ebooks in English by Black authors. Submissions are judged on literary quality, originality, and contribution to Black literature. The competition is open internationally, but the author must self-identify as Black/African American.

Each genre prize winner shall receive:

• $2500 award
• Formal recognition at the Black Caucus of ALA Literary Awards
• BCALA eBook Award Digital Seal to use in marketing

The final submission date is February 28, 2026, and the awards will be presented in Chicago, IL, during the American Library Association Conference in June 2026.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

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If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

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