Submission Guidelines

Nominations now open, through September 1, 2008!

Introduction:

The SB&F Prizes aim to encourage the reading, writing and publishing of quality science books. The Prizes began in 2005 by looking back on 40 years of outstanding science books and honoring six authors for their distinguished and lasting contribution to science literature. Beginning in 2006 and beyond, the Prizes honor recently published, individual books.

2006 Winners
2007 Winners
2008 Winners

Five prizes will be award in the following categories:
Children's Science Picture Book (prize to author and illustrator)
Middle Grades Science Book (prize to author)
Young Adult Science Book (prize to author)
Hands-on Science Book (prize to author)

A judging panel made up of scientists, experts in the field of science literature, librarians, and AAAS staff, will assess the entries base on these criteria.

Winners will be announced January 2, 2009. Winning authors and illustrators will be honored at the AAAS Annual Meeting on February 13 and 14, 2009 in Chicago, IL. Each winner will receive $1500 and a plaque.

Eligibility:

1) Submission of books will be open from April 2 through September 1, 2008.

2) Submitted books must have a publication date between September 2007 and September 2008.

3) The SB&F Prizes cover all aspects of science, including technology, mathematics, medicine, history of science, and biographies of scientists. Only nonfiction, science books are eligible.

4) Publishers may submit as many books as they wish in each category.

5) Books affiliated with AAAS or Science in anyway will not be eligible.

6) The books must be in the English language.

7) Books from a series must be submitted individually and will be judged individually.

8) Books will be judged based on this criteria.

9) Winners of the SB&F Prize are not eligible the following year (they may not win back-to-back years).

10) The closing date for entries is September 1. No entries received after this date will be considered.

For questions about a books eligibility, please contact Heather Malcomson at hmalcoms @ aaas.org.

Rules:

1) The judging panel is selected by AAAS and the staff of SB&F. The judges' decisions are final.
2) In the event that a book is chosen as a finalist for the Prizes, publishers will agree to:
a) contribute up to 15 additional copies of the book for final judging
b) secure the attendance of the author at the awards ceremony at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL on February 13 & 14, 2009. Books whose author or illustrator are unable to attend the awards ceremony may be deemed ineligible.
3) Publishers of winning books will agree to contribute up to 20 additional copies of the book.

Please carefully read the criteria and select your best books before entering.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A CHILDREN'S, MIDDLE GRADES, OR HANDS-ON BOOK

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A YOUNG ADULT BOOK