"I think you are offering a beautiful service, reading and reflecting what you see in such detail. I had completely forgotten I entered the competition and so it was such a lovely thing to read [my feedback] this morning. It made me feel seen and heard as a human and creative artist, who fundamentally wants to express, see what happens when I do, and more than anything, connect."

—Jolene Sheehan, Spinning with Tides - A book of poetry

$23,500 in Prizes | Final Judge: Jendi Reiter | Deadline: July 1

Submit your self-published or hybrid-published book to this year's North Street contest from Winning Writers. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000.

Choose from nine categories (including Inspirational/Self-Help, new this year). $23,500 in cash will be awarded in all, and the top ten winners will receive additional benefits to help market their books. Books published on all self-publishing and hybrid-publishing platforms are eligible. Any year of publication is eligible. Entry fee: $95 per book, with free gifts for everyone who enters.

All entrants who submit online can choose to receive a brief commentary from one of the judges (5-10 sentences) at no extra charge. See more about this below.

Winning Writers is one of the "101 Best Websites for Writers" (Writer's Digest, 2025), and this contest is recommended by Reedsy. Click to read about past winners and learn more about our contest.

Winning Writers has offered this contest since 2015. The top feedback we heard from contestants was—we want feedback! So in 2024 we introduced feedback at no extra charge for everyone who entered online. This consists of 5-10 sentences of comments from a judge along with links to relevant resources. The response has been enthusiastic, so we're continuing. (We also discovered that some people don't want feedback. No problem. Just leave that box unchecked when you enter the contest.)

Here are kind words from some of last year's contestants:

"Thank you again for the thoughtful evaluation and for recognizing the strengths of Arlo. It has been eye-opening to understand the judging process and what makes a strong picture book. We're extremely grateful for the encouragement and for the work you do to support emerging authors and illustrators and uplift new voices."

—Mackenzie Panessa and Jaclyn Mariano (Jackie & Kenzie), Arlo - The Gluten-Free Duck

"I appreciate your notes on my book. Rather than dawdle in generalities, as I have seen happen in the past, you were very specific and very useful. I think I get your point. I do have a penchant for giving directional signals to the reader, a tendency for going too far in the poems. I will keep your comments in mind as I rework these poems."

—Simon Peter Eggertsen, Hawking Comes Close to Finding God

"Please know how much I sincerely appreciate the time and energy you invested in both reading my book and writing the feedback. I was deeply moved by the fact that you would take the time to convey your detailed thoughts about my vignettes. Your feedback meant more to me than any monetary prize because it meant that my stories made you think and want to talk about the experience."

—Beverly Harris-Schenz, Living While Black: My Experience with "Everyday Racism"

"Thank you for providing feedback on my entry The Hag Stone. I was impressed with the depth of feedback and the use of lines from my novel that supported the reviewer's comments. It was an extremely valuable tool and I look forward to entering the competition again this year."

—Wylie Small (W.J. Small), The Hag Stone: A Novel of Love and Loss During the Bubonic Plague

"Thank you for your invaluable feedback regarding The Palm Tree Chronicles. I appreciate your notes and resources so much regarding my use of tropes. I hadn't really considered tropes in the way you presented them. Very helpful as was your other positive feedback."

—Manuela Gomez Rhine, The Palm Tree Chronicles: A Los Angeles Love Story

"Thank you sooo much!!! How can I look at this and not see it?? I will read every article you attached. Thanks again for taking the time to do this. I appreciate it more than you know."

—Traci Loecker, Because They Loved Him

"Wow, I'm so impressed. Impressed that you took the time to read my book (as well as the 1,700 plus others) and to offer such constructive, insightful comments. Although this book is done now, that feedback will be really helpful as I work on my next book. Your feedback contrasts with the empty, bleak silence which greeted my multiple attempts at trying to find an agent."

—Laurence Carter, From Grief To Love: Walking Around England and Wales

"Thank you so much for your judging feedback. It was so very helpful and instructive. My writing life just gets better and better with people like you who take the time to point out strengths and provide information and enlightenment for future projects."

—Ellen Lager, When A Tree Falls

"It is clear that you took your time with Pryor Knowledge and gave an honest opinion. That is what I signed up for."

—Mary Beth Gibson, Pryor Knowledge: Horse Racing, Love, and Slavery in the Antebellum South

"Thank you for the time you took to read Perpendicular Women and for providing such thoughtful feedback—certainly above and beyond what anyone would expect.

"I was impressed that you read the entry deeply and thoughtfully and provided thorough, useful feedback with candor, courtesy, and care. Rare, these days, and appreciated."

—Chris Coward, Perpendicular Women: Adventures in the Multiverse

"I want to thank you so much for your detailed review of my book. It is much appreciated as I always get actionable feedback from these and so few awards actually do this."

—Rico de Rouen (R.G. de Rouen), Books For Benjamin

"Thanks very much for that feedback. Far, far exceeded my expectations. Very few folks have ever read all six books and no one in that short time frame. It's incredibly helpful."

—Len Joy, American Past Time, Better Days, Everyone Dies Famous, Dry Heat, Freedom's Just Another Word..., and American Jukebox

"I confess that I'd forgotten about this submission until today's email, but I'm glad I submitted. The thoughtful review, commentary and suggestions are welcome and appreciated. I can scarcely imagine the challenge of providing this feedback at this scale, but I hope that you're able to continue the effort. I hope to never stop learning."

—Michael Maloof, Relentless: A Gripping International Thriller (Kate Preacher Thriller Series Book 1) and Unstoppable: Dark Secrets, Deadly Betrayal, and a Global Conspiracy (Kate Preacher Thriller Series Book 2)

"Your graciousness and sensitivity create an openness in me to keep learning from you and other fine poets."

—Kate B.D., On Glass

"This is actually much more than I expected. Your ability to discern the elements of the book that need work is particularly helpful."

—Walter Shakespeare, Return to the Garden: Reclaiming the Garden of Eden

"I appreciate knowing the structure that is in place for the judging. Having been an artist for 35 years, I am used to critiques. Knowing how the judges are weeding out the dandelions is a great service as I go forward. Your letter was transparent and inclusive of the efforts that go into writing a book which is very much appreciated.

"Thanks for your detailed input and balanced feedback."

—Carol Mackay Mertz, First Light: A Mackay Trilogy

"In a world packed with vapid AI-powered author solicitations everywhere, your thoughtful feedback—even when wrapped around a disappointment—is welcome."

—Andrew Shelley, Estate: To my once darling child

"Your feedback was spot on, so I can't even be too upset over the loss. This is the first time I've received such corrective criticism that I can actually benefit from. I appreciate your insight and value your opinion."

—Heather Joy, MMMM: and the music that made me

"Thank you very much for taking the time to read Beyond the Birch Trees and for your thoughtful and generous feedback. I truly appreciate the care with which you engaged with the book, and I'm grateful for your kind and encouraging words."

—Vicka Kharitonova Pevzner, Beyond the Birch Trees: Short Tales of Growing Up Soviet

"Thanks for the GREAT feedback. I will definitely take your advice, and plan to submit more books to Winning Writers. I think it is unique that you give feedback, and is a valuable tool for us writers to learn what the pros see as our strengths and weaknesses."

—Michael Gorton, Tachyon Tunnel 2

"Honestly, I'd completely forgotten I'd even entered the contest! It was a crazy year.

"I want to tell you and the other editors thank you from the bottom of my socks (somehow, the bottom of my heart doesn't seem deep enough right now).

"This is, hands-down, absolutely the most valuable feedback I've ever received on the book.

"I plan to read through the manuscript carefully and rewrite the passage that would be better written in scene format, then republish the book.

"Please give my sincere thanks to everyone involved with Winning Writers, and I look forward to submitting a new book someday."

—Alicia Demetropolis, Drowning in Now: A Search for God and Humanity at the Top of the World

"This exactly the type of critical but fair/objective feedback I was looking for. I'll take it into consideration. Thank you for your time."

—Isaac Willhoite, Beset

"I've sought feedback from my friends and family, but it's always difficult to know what may be a reader's honest response versus what may just be a family member hoping to offer encouragement. Your take on how I can bring my characters to life and add depth to their actions, motivations and arcs, is something I'll keep in mind as I work through future projects, and something I've already worked to factor into my current project. I'm always working to improve as a writer and I look forward to entering future contests through Winning Writers."

—Duncan Works, Return of The Architects

You may mail your entry and $95 fee to Winning Writers, Attn: North Street Book Prize, 351 Pleasant Street Suite B PMB 222, Northampton, MA 01060-3998, USA. Please postmark your entry by July 1.

Please note that feedback will only be provided for entries submitted online, and not those entries submitted by mail.

If you would like us to return your book at the conclusion of the contest, please request this at the time of your entry and enclose an extra $10 for postage and handling.