What’s a Cybil?
The Cybils awards are given each year by bloggers for the year’s best children’s and young adult titles. Nominations open to the public on October 1st.

Can anyone nominate?
Yes, anyone may nominate one book per genre during the nomination period. The online form for nominations will be posted at the Cybils website from Oct. 1-15.

Which books are eligible?
Any books published between the end of one contest and start of another. For 2013, that means books released between Oct. 16, 2012 and Oct. 15, 2013.

What are the categories?
Young adult nonfiction. The one I’m helping to choose the finalists for this year. Narrative nonfiction for young adult readers.
Elementary/Middle Grade nonfiction. Narrative nonfiction for beginning readers and middle grade informational readers,ages 3-12.
Middle Grade Fiction. Realistic fiction for ages 8-12.
Young Adult fiction. Realistic fiction for ages 13 and up.
Poetry. Anthologies and collections for children.
Graphic novels. They used to be known as comic books, but now they’re longer and get more respect.
Fiction Picture Books.
Speculative Fiction: Elementary and Middle Grade. AKA fantasy and scifi.
Young adult Speculative Fiction. The same but for older readers.
Easy Readers and Early Chapter Books.
Book Apps.

I’ll be posting some possible nominees in each of the categories later during the nomination period.

Does it help if a book has lots of nominations?
NO! In fact, the online form will kick the nomination back if a book has already been listed. It needs to get on the Cybils nomination list only once for consideration. After that, it’s up to the judges.

More contest info:
Finalists are posted January 1st. Winners are announced February 14th. Winners receive a fountain pen in an engraved wooden box.

Go forth and nominate your favorite young adult and children’s titles for 2012-2013.