Welcome to the Book of the Earth Award page! This award celebrates outstanding works of literature that capture the spirit of Earth’s beauty, challenges, and future. Our goal is to recognize books that spark hope, inspire innovation, and explore humanity’s connection with the planet and the universe it belongs to, whether through speculative fiction, environmental themes, or creative storytelling. Each winner embodies the mission of Words of the Earth, encouraging peaceful coexistence and a sustainable future for all. Join us in celebrating literature that leaves a lasting impact on both our hearts and the Earth itself.
Here’s what you can find on this page:
- Our Featured Book of the Earth Award Winner
- About the Book of the Earth Award
- Selection Criteria
- Award Categories
- Why This Award Matters
- Nominate a Book
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter and Be in the Know
- Award Badge for Winners
- Other Books
- Earthly Links
Our Featured Book of the Earth Award Winner
Book of the Earth: Nowhere to Hide by Jude Austin
What if you could escape to another planet, leaving behind your traumas and mistakes? Would you truly find peace, or would the shadows of your past follow you across the stars? Read this book.
Keep readingAbout the Book of the Earth Award
Book of the Earth Award winners are works of fiction and nonfiction that exemplify the intricate connection between literature, the natural world, and the boundless realms of human thought. These pieces explore our planet’s ecosystems, environmental challenges, and the imaginative possibilities that shape our understanding of ourselves and our planet as well as its past, present, and future. Here, we also feature books that honor, reflect, or draw inspiration not only from Earth’s ecosystems, landscapes, and elemental forces but also from the vastness beyond—outer space, alternative dimensions, and imagined worlds. Yet, even when venturing far beyond our planet, every Book of the Earth Award winner remains grounded, conceived by minds shaped by the Earth and its diverse experiences.
This collection brings together narratives that inspire thoughtful reflection on our relationship with Earth and our place in the cosmos. Whether exploring our natural world or imagining distant galaxies, these stories highlight how deeply the roots of human imagination are planted in the Earth. From classic environmental writing to modern fiction, poetry, and speculative tales, the series offers a rich concoction of ideas that celebrate the beauty, complexity, and challenges of our planet and beyond.
By blending reality with imagination, our featured pieces illuminate how literature can help us explore both the wonders of our world and the mysteries of the universe. Through these stories, we discover hope, innovation, and the potential for harmonious coexistence, while envisioning futures that inspire change and reflecting the choices we must make today on our home planet.
To nominate a book, submit it through our Review Requests page.
Selection Criteria
Eligible works are chosen not based on technical perfection, but for their ability to vividly bring to life themes of environmental awareness, societal change, and hopeful futures. We prioritize books that provoke thought, ignite change, and offer readers a sense of optimism in the face of challenges. Works that encourage personal reflection, resilience, and positive action are given special consideration.
Books selected for the Book of the Earth Award do more than entertain—they serve as beacons of possibility, helping readers deepen their connection to both the planet and the universe. Each book must inspire, uplift, and spark a deeper awareness of humanity’s role in creating a harmonious future for all.
Award Categories
The Book of the Earth Award spans a range of genres, recognizing works that contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for Earth and the universe:
- Fiction: Celebrating stories that explore themes of environmental justice, social resilience, and love for the planet. These works imagine futures that inspire action and hope.
- Nonfiction: Recognizing real-life accounts that encourage environmental stewardship, sustainability, and positive societal change. These books shed light on the challenges and triumphs in our relationship with Earth.
- Poetry: Honoring poetic works that express beauty, resilience, and the natural world, invoking deep reflection on humanity’s place in the cosmos.
- Youth Literature: Nurturing young minds with books that inspire curiosity about the Earth and the universe, resilience in the face of adversity, and the power to create a better world.
Why This Award Matters
In today’s world, where environmental challenges are at the forefront, the Book of the Earth Award serves as a reminder of the power of literature to inspire action and change. This award highlights books that offer hope, promote sustainable living, and champion the resilience of both people and the planet. By celebrating these stories, we hope to encourage readers to think critically about their role in the world, take meaningful steps toward a better future, and believe in the possibility of a more harmonious relationship between humanity, the planet, and the universe.
Nominate a Book
The minimum requirement is that the nominated book aligns with the mission of the award—celebrating environmental awareness and progress for the future of all of us, future generations, Earth, and the physical realms we all belong to.
To nominate a book, authors, publishers, and copyright holders can request a complimentary review. Passionate readers in our community may also submit reviews, provided they have no conflicts of interest. These reviews determine if a book meets the award standards.
1. Nominate Your Favourite Book for the Award
To submit a review for your favourite book, click here. Make sure you choose Words of the Earth @ wordsoftheearth.com as the platform.
2. Nominate Your Book for the Award
Ready to Nominate Your Book? Choose 1 from the following options to get your book reviewed and nominated for the award:
- Free Review Submission
- Turnaround time: 12 months or longer.
- Cost: Free.
- Reviews are selective; not all books will receive a review. Only reviewed books are nominated.
- Click here to choose this pathway and request a free review of your book.
- Expedited Submission
- Fast-tracked nomination with a free reader review in 2 months.
- Cost: 40 AUD (roughly 26 USD) only.
- If you’re after faster turnaround or private/unpublished review options, this is the option for you.
- Click here to choose this expedited pathway.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter and Be in the Know
Do you want to know if and when we have published a review for your book? Would you like to be one of the first ones to know what’s new from us? If yes, subscribe to our newsletter below! It’s free and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Award Badge for Winners
Winning books are entitled to use the Book of the Earth Award badge, a symbol of their contribution to a hopeful, sustainable future for our planet and beyond. This badge can be proudly displayed on book covers, websites, and promotional materials.
How to Get a Copy of the Badge
To Save an Image (Right-click method)
- Right-click on the badge image (if it’s visible on your screen).
- Select Save image as… from the context menu.
- Choose a folder on your device where you want to save the image and click Save.
To Paste an Image
- Copy the image (you may right-click and select Copy image).
- Open the application (like Word, PowerPoint, or an email) where you want to paste the image.
- Press Ctrl + V (or Cmd + V on Mac) to paste the image.
How to Use the Badge
- Digital Platforms: Display the badge on your website, social media, and online retailer pages.
- Print Materials: Add the badge to your book cover, marketing materials, and promotional content.
- Link Back: When possible, link the badge to our Words of the Earth website or the review post for your book, allowing readers to explore the mission and values of the award.
Guidelines for Badge Use
- Do Not Alter: Please do not modify, crop, or change the badge’s design, colors, or text.
- For Awarded Books Only: The badge should only be used for the book that won the award.
- No Commercial Products: Do not use the badge on commercial items for resale without prior written permission.
- Use the Badge for Its Intended Purpose: The badge represents recognition of works that promote hope, resilience, and a positive future. It should be used exclusively to honor the awarded book and its uplifting message.
Thank you for your contribution to the power of storytelling and for helping us inspire a brighter, more sustainable future through the Book of the Earth Award. We look forward to discovering and celebrating the transformative power of literature in shaping a better world for generations to come.
Other Books
Book Review: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
In The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert traces the devastating consequences of human activity on Earth’s biodiversity, documenting how we are ushering in a new mass extinction event.
Keep reading
Book Review: We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer
We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast by Jonathan Safran Foer is a compelling call to action showing how small changes in our dietary choices can play a significant role in mitigating climate change.
Keep reading
Book Review: The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard uncovers the hidden toll of consumer culture on the environment and society, urging readers to rethink their consumption habits.
Keep reading
Book Review: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book, Silent Spring, reveals the hidden dangers of pesticides, particularly DDT, and urges readers to reconsider our impact on the environment before it’s too late.
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