Last week, entries opened for the 2025 NZ Booklovers Awards. Encouraqging both traditionally published and self published authors to enter, the awards are for books published between January 1st and December 31st of this year

Karen McMillan is the Director of NZ Booklovers and joins me on Breakfast this morning to talk about the nomination process and what the awards are looking for!

NZ Booklovers Awards 2025 now open for entries

What do Nick Davies, Eileen Merriman, David Hill, Lauren Keenan, Brianne Te Paa, Jane Ussher, Lucy Corry, Stacey Morrison, Jeremy Sherlock, Fiona Sussman, Dr Hinemoa Elder, Vasanti Unka, Kirsty

Powell, Gavin Bishop, Fiona Kidman, Kimberly Andrews and Jo Seagar have in common? They are all talented authors and some of the previous winners of the NZ Booklovers Awards.

Who will win the NZ Booklovers Awards for 2025?

‘We are delighted to announce that we are now taking entries for the NZ Booklovers Awards 2025,’ says NZ Booklovers Director Karen McMillan. ‘These are for books published between 1 January and 31 December 2024, and we encourage traditionally published authors and self-published authors to enter.’

Now in their seventh year, the NZ Booklovers has the following categories:

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book 2025, sponsored by Lighthouse PR

We are looking for the best in storytelling, a novel we can’t put down.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2025, sponsored by Benefitz

Cooking, wine, architecture, lifestyle, home and garden, design, fashion – all the non-fiction books that have the ability to enrich our daily lives.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Children’s Picture Book 2025, sponsored by Duckling Publishing

We are looking for the best children’s picture book that helps engage young readers and foster a love of books.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2025, sponsored by The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore

The best children’s fiction for 7 to 12-year-olds that is child-friendly and encourages even the most reluctant of readers to develop a love of reading.

NZ Booklovers Award for Best Young Adult Book 2025, sponsored by Seeds Podcast

The best young adult book suitable for young people finding their way in the world. Whether fantasy or grounded in reality, we are looking for a read that will entertain but also provoke thought.

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There is a $500 prize for each category to the winning author. The shortlist will be announced on 20 February 2025, and winners will be announced on 20 March 2025.

We are very grateful to Lighthouse PR, Benefitz, The Kiwi Kids’ Bookstore, Duckling Publishing and Seeds Podcast for sponsoring these awards.

Entry details are available at https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/2025-awards

About NZ Booklovers

NZbooklovers.co.nz is an online home for people who are passionate about books. Working alongside publishers, NZ Booklovers showcases both New Zealand and international titles. It provides reviews, author interviews, book news and competitions. Director Karen McMillan heads up a talented team of contributors and reviewers, fellow readers and writers who are passionate about books and believe literature inspires and enhances people’s lives. The NZ Booklovers Awards are the brainchild of Karen McMillan to support the local publishing community and New Zealand authors.