CMA Book Awards 

B101: Pilgrimages/Catholic Travel

This category is for books about taking a pilgrimage, pilgrimage sites, or sites of special interest to Catholics.

B102: Pope Francis

This category is for books about his life, travels, or teachings. Submissions may also include books that include his writings.

B103: Spirituality Classical

This category is for books on spiritual life and practice: meditation, Christian life, mysticism, etc. If your work is a collection of classical writings from the Saints or Doctors of the Church, please submit into category B1553. Please submit books about prayer or books that are collections of prayers, devotionals, or retreat books to B105.

B104: Spirituality Contemporary UPDATED

This category is for books on spiritual life and practice, including topics such as meditation, Christian life, mysticism, etc., covering topics subsequent to the Second Vatican Council. Please submit books about prayer or collections of prayers, devotionals, and retreat books to B105.

• B104a: Children’s Faith and Spiritual Life
• B104b: Teens and Young Adults (Ages 18-35)
• B104c: Adult Spiritual Development

B105: Prayer and Devotional Books UPDATED

This category is for books about prayers, collections of prayers, devotionals (including daily devotionals and seasonal), or retreat books.

• B105a: Children’s Devotions and Prayer
• B105b: Young Adult Devotion and Prayer (Ages 18-35)
• B105c: Adult Devotions and Prayer

B108: Liturgy or Worship

This category is for books on the celebration of the Sacraments or Preaching.

B109: Pastoral Ministry – Parish Life

This category is for books on parish life and ministries within the parish setting, including but not limited to the following topics:

• Marriage
• Family life
• Marriage preparation
• Social concerns
• Outreach
• Peace and Justice Initiatives
• Aging and counseling
• Homebound circumstances
• Hospital or nursing home care
• Healing and grieving

B110: Pastoral Ministry

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 Catechetical

This category is for books about Pastoral ministry or Catechetical themes. Submissions in this category include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Faith formation
• Religious Education
• OCIA
• Adult and continuing education
• CCD
• Textbooks
• Newest volume in a series
• Workbooks
• Manual or supplementary books used in a classroom or group faith development that provide an understanding of the Church’s teaching or practices.

B111: Pastoral Ministry: Youth and Young Adult

This category is for books on topics such as youth and young adult ministry. Some examples include teachings, the journey of ministry, and life as a youth minister.

B112: Church Professional

This category is for Church Professional books. Books in this category provide knowledge and professional growth for those involved directly in Church ministry and Church-related work.

B113: Pope Leo XIV NEW/MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books related to his life, upbringing, and the Papal transition. Submissions may also include books that include his writings as a Bishop and Cardinal. If your book has previously won in a multi- year category, it is ineligible for entry. Submissions must be published from 2020-2025.

B151: Newly Canonized Saints or Those in the Process MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books covering topics such as saints canonized or in the process of canonization. Submissions must be published between 2020 and 2025. If your book has previously won in a multi year category, it is ineligible for entry.

B201: Modern Exploration of the Catholic Faith UPDATED

This category is for books suitable for an adult Catholic audience that present a particular aspect or an educational summary/review of Catholic teaching, history, the Bible, Apologetics, etc. If your book is a prayer or devotional, please submit into category B104 or B105.

B202: Theological Studies UPDATED

This category is for books about general theological studies. If your work is an edited collection, please submit into category B1553.

B203: History of Theology, Church Fathers and Mothers

This category is for books that include topics on the history of theology and/or Church Fathers and Mothers. If your work is an edited collection, please submit into category B1553.

B204: Morality and Ethics UPDATED

This category is for books that include topics on morality and ethics.

B205: Scripture – Popular Studies

This category is for books on popular Scripture studies. For volumes that are a part of a series, please enter B1654. If your work is an edited collection, please submit into category B1553.

B206: Scripture – Academic Studies

This category is for books on academic Biblical Studies. For volumes that are a part of a series, please enter B1654. If your work is an edited collection, please submit into category B1553.

B207: History

This category is for books providing brief or extended historical studies of Catholic eras, movements, or events.

B208: Biography

This category is for biographies of persons who resonate with Catholic values.

B209: Reference/Academic Studies

This category is for books providing in-depth resources for church professionals in dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, Bibles, or other formats. An example might be a book suited for the professional’s library.

B210: Faith and Science

This category is for books that encourage and enhance the respectful and constructive conversation between science and faith.

B211: Faith Formation

This category, formerly known as religious education, includes any book meant for systematic education in the Catholic faith within a catechetical context. Historical educators of the Catholic faith may be entered here. Please note that this category excludes lesson plans.

B212: Jesus – Christology UPDATED

This category includes Jesus in any aspect. Some subject matters may include Jesus as Savior, Jesus as a historical figure, and His journey through His life.

B213: Sacraments

This category is for books about one or more of the seven sacraments (Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick).

B214: Philosophical Studies NEW/MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books about general philosophical studies. If your book has previously won in a multi-year category, it is ineligible for entry. Multi year submissions include books published from 2020-2025.

B215: Mariology NEW/MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books that include topics related to our Blessed Mother. If your book has previously won in a multi-year category, it is ineligible for entry. Multi-year submissions include books published from 2020-2025. If your book is an edited collection, please submit into category B1553.

B301: Children's Board and Picture Books UPDATED

This category is for books for small children, toddlers, and pre-readers. For series, please enter B1652.

B302: Preschool Reading UPDATED

This category is for books for children that have a Catholic faith context. Submissions into this category should be written for pre-K and kindergarten age children. For series, please enter B1652.

B303: All Children’s Books

This category is for books for children that have a Catholic faith context. Ages 0-12. For series, please enter B1652.

B304: Family Life

This category is for books on any aspect of family life, parenting, or grandparenting that have a faith context.

B305: Children’s Independent Reading NEW/MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books that a school aged child can read independently (Ages 6-12). If your book has already won in a previous season, it is ineligible for entry. Multi-year submissions include books published from 2020 - 2025.

B351: Book for Young Adults (Ages 12-18)

This category is for books for young adults that resonate with Catholic values. Submissions should be published between 2020 and 2025. For series, please enter B1653.

B401: Coffee Table Book

This category is for coffee table books. A "coffee table book" is a book intended for display on a coffee table or similar surface in an area where guests gather and are entertained. All submissions in this category must resonate with Catholic values.

B452: Lifestyle Books UPDATED/MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books that discuss or portray any lifestyle topics, including but not limited to the following topics: gardening, healthy living, decoration and home decor, minimalism, cookbooks, etc. Books should be published anytime between 2020 and 2025. If your book has won in a previous year, it is ineligible for entry.

B501: Inclusion in the Church

This category is for books that address diversity, equity, inclusion, disability, gender issues, women in the Church, and multicultural engagement.

B502: Catholic Social Teaching

This category is for books that engage contemporary social justice (including, but not limited to, immigration, environmental care, and other concerns) within the context of faith and the gospel in contemporary society.

B503: Religion in the Public Square

This category is for books that discuss contemporary political issues from a faith perspective.

B505: Ecumenism or Interfaith Relations

This category is for books about ecumenism, interfaith relations, or dialogues. Some examples of this might include: Our God Is the Same, Seeking Unity with the Church of the East, and Catholic Teachings on Other Faiths.

B506: The Future of the Church

This category represents books dealing with discussions regarding the future of the Catholic Church, the issues the future Church faces, and how Catholics will be affected by these changes.

B507: Life and Dignity of the Human Person

This category is for books that include any of the subjects included in the consistent ethic of life: life of the unborn, death penalty, nuclear arms, euthanasia, sexual abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse.

B601: First Time Author: Children's Book

This category is for first-book authors of children’s books.

B602: First Time Author: Novel

This category highlights first-book authors for novels.

B603: First Time Author: Biography

This category recognizes first-book authors of biographies.

B604: First Time Author: Poetry, Essays, or Short Stories

This category is for poetry, essays, or short stories by a first-time author. Submissions in this category include first-book authors of essays, poetry, and short stories.

B605: First Time Author of Theological Subject Matters

This category recognizes the first-book authors on any topic of theological interest.

B606: Author of the Year

This category recognizes an individual’s writing and exemplary service to the Catholic community. The author’s work may be produced by different publishers, including self-publishing, but a commercial publisher must publish at least one book. Entry samples can be of any subject matter. Judging will focus on demonstrated talent, creativity, thoroughness, and effectiveness.

An entry consists of three to five books that showcase the author's writing. You may also submit a PDF file or a Word Document listing URLs if the samples are available online.

A letter may be submitted to explain the circumstances that made the individual’s success notable. The letter should focus on how the author’s work contributes to the Catholic community. One or more books may have previously won a book award for their single entry. All books submitted must be published in English between 2019 and 2024. At least one book must be published in 2025.

B607: Self-Published Author of the Year

This category recognizes an individual's writing and exemplary service to the Catholic community. Entry samples can be of any subject matter, but all books must be self-published. Judging will focus on demonstrated talent, creativity, thoroughness, and effectiveness.

An entry consists of three to five books that showcase the author's writing. You may also submit a PDF file or a Word Document listing URLs if the samples are available online.

A letter may be submitted to explain the circumstances that made the individual’s success notable. The letter should focus on how the author’s work contributes to the Catholic community. One or more books may have previously won a book award for their single entry. All books submitted must be published in English between 2020 and 2025. At least one book must be published in 2025.

B701: Diocesan/Parish Directory

This category is for a diocesan or parish directory. Judges will look at the perspective of content, organization, design, and accessibility.

B702: Best Book Published by a Diocese MULTI–YEAR

This category is for a book published explicitly by a diocese. Entry types include: historical reference guides, diocesan directories, cookbooks, etc. Books should be published between 2020 and 2025.

B703: Best Book Published by a Parish/Catholic School UPDATED/MULTI-YEAR

This category recognizes books that are published by a parish or Catholic school, including historical reference guides, directories, cookbooks, and other similar publications. Books should be published anytime between 2020 and 2025.

B801: Catholic Novel

This category is for books whose underlying theme involves Catholic faith, Catholic imagination, the Catholic story, the power of grace, the struggles of life on all levels, the gifts of the Spirit, and God's closeness in the struggles of faith, in times of loss and sadness, and in times of joy.

B802: Faith–Based Novel

This category is for books whose underlying theme involves faith, imagination, the faith-based story, the power of grace, the struggles of life on all levels, the gifts of the Spirit, and God's closeness in the struggles of faith, in times of loss and sadness, and in times of joy.

B803: Teen and Young Adult Novels

This category is for books whose underlying theme involves faith, imagination, the faith-based story, the power of grace, the struggles of life on all levels, the gifts of the Spirit, and God's closeness in the struggles of faith, in times of loss and sadness, and in times of joy. The intended audience for these books would be teens and young adults. If your book is part of a series, please consider entering the full series into category B1653.

B804: Science Fiction Novels

This category is for books whose underlying theme involves faith, imagination, the faith-based story, the power of grace, the struggles of life on all levels, the gifts of the Spirit, and God's closeness in the struggles of faith, in times of loss and sadness, and in times of joy. Books in this category include themes of science fiction/fantasy as well.

B805: Christian Romance

This category is for books whose underlying theme involves faith, imagination, the faith-based story, the power of grace, the struggles of life on all levels, the gifts of the Spirit, and God's closeness in the struggles of faith, in times of loss and sadness, and in times of joy and love.

B806: Fiction Short Story Collections

This category is for short stories whose underlying theme involves faith, imagination, the faith-based story, the power of grace, the struggles of life on all levels, the gifts of the Spirit, and God's closeness in the struggles of faith, in times of loss and sadness, and in times of joy. For multiple-author collections, please enter category B1501.

B901: Healing and Self-Help UPDATED

This category is for books that provide readers with understanding, support, and practical help. The book may be intended for the reader (and/or someone the reader knows, loves, or supports) who are encountering pain, illness, and suffering. More specifically, subjects might include broken relationships, aging, dying, depression, cancer, loneliness, self-care, miscarriage, infertility etc. The book will emphasize physical and emotional help, with special emphasis on spirituality. Please enter books on Grief and Bereavement in category B902.

B902: Grief and Bereavement

This category is for books that provide understanding, support, and practical help. The book may be intended for the reader (and/or someone the reader knows, loves, or supports) who is encountering pain or bereavement. The book will emphasize physical and emotional help, with special emphasis on spirituality.

B1101: International Publication - Novel or Short Stories EBOOK UPLOAD

This category is for books that are published in English outside of the U.S. and Canada. This category is for international novels and short stories from a Catholic faith perspective.

B1102: International Publication - Poetry EBOOK UPLOAD

This category is for books that are published in English outside of the U.S. and Canada. This category is for international poetry from a Catholic faith perspective.

B1103: International Publication - General Theological Subject Matter EBOOK UPLOAD

This category is for books that are published in English outside of the U.S. and Canada. Submissions in this category are international works on general theological subjects from a theological perspective.

B1104: International Publication - Biography EBOOK UPLOAD

This category is for books that are published in English outside of the U.S. and Canada. Submissions in this category include biographies from a Catholic perspective.

B1151: English Translation Edition EBOOK UPLOAD/MULTI-YEAR

This category represents translated work from non-English publications. There is no required original publication date parameter, but the book must be published in English between 2020 and 2025. Books may have multiple authors. The book must be a full translation of a previously published book where the original format is in another language. Only English-translated edition copies are required as submission materials.

B1201: Design and Production

This category is for books that exhibit quality of design and total packaging, including design from cover to cover, layout, format, typeface, white space, and graphics. The designer/artist will receive the award for their work. Please enter their name(s) under the bylines section of the submission form. Judges will not consider book content.

B1202: Design and Production: Children's Book

This category is for books that exhibit a quality of design and total packaging, including design from cover to cover, layout, format, typeface, white space, and graphics. The designer/artist will receive the award for their work. Please enter their name(s) under the bylines section of the submission form. Judges will not consider book content.

B1203: Front Cover Artwork

This category is for the best book cover artwork. The written content of books in this category are not judged, only the front cover. A PDF file of the artwork must be uploaded to the submission form.

B1204: Catalog

This category is for the best example of a complete, trade, or seasonal announcement catalog.

B1205: Illustrations

This category is for outstanding use of illustrations in any book.

B1301: Best Book by a Small Publisher

This category is for a book produced by a publisher with gross sales under $500,000 per year. Books in this category can be on any topic of theological interest.

B1401: Self-Published Fiction Books

This category is for a self-published fiction book. This category recognizes books produced by self-published authors with gross sales under $500,000 per year, on any topic of Catholic interest. This category includes teen fiction (ages 12-18).

B1402: Self-Published Non-Fiction Books

This category is for a self-published non-fiction book. This category recognizes books produced by self-published authors with gross sales under $500,000 per year, covering any topic of theological interest.

B1403: Self-Published Children’s Books

This category is for a self-published children’s book. This category recognizes books produced by self-published authors with gross sales under $500,000 per year, covering any topic of theological interest. This category includes books intended for ages 0-11.

B1501: Anthology

This category includes books that compile collections of stories or essays. The collection must not exceed 500 pages. A collection of stories and essays can be from one or more authors.

B1502: Memoir

This category is for a book that represents first-person accounts of conversion, formation, spiritual growth, dealing with a crisis, or reversion to faith in a theological context.

B1551: Poetry MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books of poetry and poetry anthologies from a theological perspective. Books should be published anytime between 2020 and 2025. Books submitted into multi year categories must not have won in previous seasons.

B1552: Backlist Beauty MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books that are still actively published on any topic of interest. Books must be newly published between 2020 and 2025. Cumulative sales of the title may not exceed 50,000 copies. Books submitted into multi-year categories must not have won in previous seasons.

B1553: Edited Collections NEW/MULTI-YEAR

This category is for books made up of chapters or essays written by different authors, but brought together under a unifying theme by one or more editors. Please note that books submitted into a multi-year category must not have won in previous seasons. Please choose the subcategory that best suits your work.

• B1553a: Church Fathers/ Mothers: Books in this category reflect works originally written by authors from 100-800AD
• B1553b: Classic Authors: Books in this category reflect works originally written by authors from 800 – 1800 AD
• B1553c: Contemporary/ Modern Authors: Books in this category reflect works originally written by authors from 1800-present

B1651: Religious Book Series UPDATED/SERIES

This category is for the best religious book series. A series is any set of two or more books on related topics. The best religious book series is a set of books with at least one volume published in 2025. Book series may be of any religious theme. A series may have more than one author. One or more books may have previously won a book award for their single entry.

• If your series is more than two volumes, please send the most recent two books.
• Send two sets of hard copies for judging. These three must be consecutive. One of these two must be the book published in 2025.
• The book must not have received a prior CMA Book Award or Honorable Mention for a series submission.

B1652: Children’s Book Series UPDATED/SERIES

This category is for the best children’s book series. A series is any set of two or more books on related topics. The best children’s book series is a set of books with at least one published in 2025. Book series may be of any subject matter. A series may have more than one author. One or more books may have previously won a book award for their single entry.

• If your series is more than two volumes, please send the most recent two books.
• Send two sets of hard copies for judging. These three must be consecutive. One of these three must be the book published in 2025.
• Books must not have received a prior CMA Book Award or Honorable Mention for a series submission.

B1653: Young Adult Fiction Book Series NEW/MULTI-YEAR/SERIES

This category is for the best young adult book series. A series is any set of two or more books on related topics. The best young adult book series is a set of books with at least one published in 2020-2025. The series may be on any subject matter of Catholic interest. A series may have more than one author. One or more books may have previously won a book award for their single entry.

• If your series is more than two volumes, please send the most recent two books.
• Send two sets of hard copies for judging. These three must be consecutive. One of these three must be the book published in 2020-2025.
• Books must not have received a prior CMA Book Award or Honorable Mention for a series submission.

B1654: Scripture – Series UPDATED/SERIES

This category is for books on scripture that are a part of a series. A series is any set of two or more books on related topics. This category series is a set of books with at least one published in 2025. A series may have more than one author. One or more books may have previously won a book award for their single entry. If your series is more than two volumes, please send the most recent two books.

• Send two sets of hard copies for judging. These three must be consecutive. One of these two must be the book published in 2025.
• The book must not have received a previous award for a series submission.

B1655: Adult Fiction Book Series NEW/MULTI-YEAR/SERIES

This category is for the adult fiction book series. A series is any set of two or more books on related topics. Adult book series is a set of books with at least one published in 2020-2025. The series may be on any subject matter of Catholic interest. A series may have more than one author. One or more books may have previously won a book award for their single entry.

• If your series is more than two volumes, please send the most recent two books.
• Send two sets of hard copies for judging. These three must be consecutive. One of these three must be the book published in 2020-2025.
• Books must not have received a prior CMA Book Award or Honorable Mention for a series submission.