At Spotlyts Magazine, we believe that every story—whether written, visual, or digital—has the power to move, inspire, and connect us. The Spotlyts Awards honor outstanding storytelling across diverse formats and genres, recognizing the creators and voices behind impactful narratives that deserve to shine.

Here’s what you’ll find on this page:

1. Spotlyts Story Award
   1. How to nominate a book for the Spotlyts Story Award
      1. 1. Nominate Your Favourite Book for the Award
      2. 2. Nominate Your Book for the Award
   2. How to nominate non-books for the Spotlyts Story Award
   3. The Story of the Year Award
   4. Other Annual Award Categories
   5. General Awards
   6. Platform-Specific Awards*
   7. Genre and Medium-Specific Awards
   8. Impact-Based Awards
   9. How It All Comes Together
2. Spotlyts Awards Badge Instructions
   1. The Badges
   2. How to Get a Copy of the Badge
      1. To Save an Image (Right-Click Method):
      2. To Copy and Paste an Image:
   3. How to Use the Badge
      1. Digital Platforms:
      2. Print Materials:
      3. Link Back to Spotlyts:
   4. Guidelines for Badge Use
3. Our Latest Winners

Spotlyts Story Award

Throughout the year, standout stories are selected to receive the Spotlyts Story Award. This accolade celebrates storytelling in all its forms, including:

• Written works: fiction, nonfiction, essays, articles, and poetry
• Visual storytelling: photos, photo essays, and videos
• Multimedia content: story websites, blog articles, social media posts, short films, and other digital creations

Winning a Spotlyts Story Award doesn’t just mean recognition today—it also earns a nomination for the annual Story of the Year Award titles.

How to nominate a book for the Spotlyts Story Award

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 Spotlyts @ spotlyts.com as the platform.

2. Nominate Your Book for the Award

There are two pathways to nominate your book for the award:

• For books, option # 1 (Free nomination): To have your book considered for this award, begin by requesting a free review of your book. This pathway takes around 12 months or longer. Your book’s nomination will depend on whether or not it receives a review from one of our readers. Not all submitted books will get a review through this pathway.

• For books, option # 2 (Expedited processing): Nominate a book for the award for just 40 AUD (about 26 USD) and receive a free review in a speedy 2 months, or even earlier, a major upgrade from the typical 12-month wait!

How to nominate non-books for the Spotlyts Story Award

• For other story forms and formats: We will be announcing the nomination details soon. Subscribe to our free newsletter to know what’s new, including if and when we start opening up nomination spots.

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The Story of the Year Award

The Story of the Year Award is the pinnacle of the Spotlyts Awards. At the end of the year, readers and audiences get to vote for their favorite Spotlyts Story Award winners. The most popular and impactful story takes home the title of Story of the Year—a celebration of storytelling excellence and its power to resonate with audiences everywhere.

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Other Annual Award Categories

In addition to the Story of the Year, there are 24 other annual award categories that recognize exceptional stories across specific themes and genres. From honoring real-world impact to celebrating creativity and innovation, these categories reflect the breadth and diversity of storytelling today. However, these titles are reserved for exceptional works and may not be given every year.

Here now is the list of other possible annual award categories:

General Awards

• Illuminate Award (Story of the Year)
  Celebrating the most impactful and popular story across all genres and mediums, as chosen by public vote.
• Luminary Award (Lifetime Achievement)
  Recognizing a storyteller whose contributions have left a lasting legacy in the world of storytelling.

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Platform-Specific Awards*

• Pulse Award
  Honoring compelling and concise storytelling shared through Twitter/X posts or threads.
• Vivid Award
  Celebrating storytelling excellence through Instagram Stories, Reels, or carousel posts.
• Resonance Award
  Recognizing engaging short video narratives crafted for TikTok.
• Echo Award
  Highlighting outstanding storytelling through video essays, documentaries, or creative narratives on YouTube.
• Chime Award
  Honoring storytelling excellence through podcasts, spoken word, or other audio formats.
• Weave Award
  Celebrating unique storytelling shared on Threads, with a focus on thoughtful and engaging narratives.
• Ripple Award
  Recognizing impactful and heartfelt stories shared through Facebook posts or groups.
• Pinnacle Award
  Honoring inspirational or professional storytelling through LinkedIn posts.
• Pinspire Award
  Celebrating storytelling excellence in visual format, shared through curated Pinterest boards or pins.
• Insight Award
  Recognizing storytellers on Reddit who craft engaging narratives—whether through AMA threads, personal stories, or community-driven discussions—that spark meaningful connection and conversation.
• Quest Award
  Honoring storytellers on Quora who transform answers into compelling narratives—sharing knowledge, experience, or personal insights that resonate widely.
• Constellation Award
  Celebrating outstanding storytelling on emerging or alternative social platforms—such as but not limited to Snapchat, Reddit, Medium, Substack, Mastodon, Discord, or Tumblr—where unique voices and communities shine.

*Disclaimer: These awards are independently organized and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the specific social media platforms.

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Genre and Medium-Specific Awards

• Radiance Award (Fiction)
  Celebrating outstanding fiction stories that fascinate and inspire.
• Beacon Award (Nonfiction)
  Recognizing compelling true stories that illuminate, educate, or inspire.
• Brilliance Award (Photo Essay)
  Honoring powerful storytelling through collections of evocative images.
• Flare Award (Blog or Online Article)
  Highlighting impactful storytelling shared through blogs, personal essays, or digital articles.
• Glow Award (Short Stories)
  Recognizing short-form fiction or nonfiction stories that leave a lasting impression.
• Spark Award (Interactive Stories)
  Honoring innovative storytelling through interactive platforms, apps, or multimedia formats.
• Horizon Award (Gaming Narratives)
  Celebrating exceptional storytelling within video games, eSports, or other interactive digital experiences.
• Anchor Award (News/Journalism)
  Highlighting excellence in storytelling through news articles, investigative journalism, or feature stories.
• Panorama Award (Magazine Feature)
  Recognizing standout storytelling published in print or online magazines.

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Impact-Based Awards

• Dream Award (Inspirational Story)
  Highlighting stories that uplift and inspire with messages of hope, resilience, and perseverance.
• Ripple Effect Award (Social Impact)
  Honoring stories that have driven positive social change or raised awareness about critical issues.
• Unity Award (Community Impact)
  Recognizing stories that inspire connection, collaboration, or community building.
• Breakthrough Award (Innovation)
  Celebrating groundbreaking storytelling that challenges norms and introduces new perspectives.
• Legacy Award (Cultural Significance)
  Honoring stories that preserve, celebrate, or redefine cultural narratives and heritage.

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How It All Comes Together

• Throughout the year, creators are recognized with the Spotlyts Story Award.
• Annual award winners are carefully selected for 14 themed categories.
• All Spotlyts Story Award winners are automatically nominated for the Story of the Year Award and the other annual awards. However, winners for any annual award may or may not be announced for a given year.

The Spotlyts Awards are a celebration of the storytellers who inspire change, ignite conversations, and showcase the power of imagination and truth.

Do you have a story worth sharing? Follow along, participate, and join us in celebrating the art of storytelling that truly matters.

For more details on how to nominate for the awards, watch this space!

Be one of the first ones to catch new stories as they come, including when we start accepting nominations. Subscribe to free newsletter today!

Spotlyts Awards Badge Instructions

Congratulations on Winning a Spotlyts Awards title!

The Spotlyts Awards badge is a symbol of exceptional storytelling that inspires, informs, and connects us to the transformative power of narratives. Recipients of this award are entitled to proudly display the badge to celebrate their achievement and share it with their audience.

The Badges

Here are the badges for all annual Spotlyts Awards winners and the year-round Spotlyts Story Award title-holders.

How to Get a Copy of the Badge

To Save an Image (Right-Click Method):

1. Locate the badge image on our website or email.
2. Right-click the badge and select Save image as….
3. Choose a folder on your device and click Save.

To Copy and Paste an Image:

1. Right-click the badge image and select Copy image.
2. Open the desired application (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, email, or a graphic design tool).
3. Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac) to paste the image.

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How to Use the Badge

Digital Platforms:

• Display the badge on your website, blog, and social media platforms.
• Include it on your online portfolios and retailer pages.

Print Materials:

• Add the badge to your book covers, posters, flyers, and press kits.
• Feature it in newsletters and other promotional materials.

Link Back to Spotlyts:

• When possible, link the badge to the Spotlyts Awards page or your award announcement to highlight the achievement and encourage readers to explore more about the award.

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Guidelines for Badge Use

1. Do Not Alter the Badge:
   • Ensure the badge’s design, colors, text, and overall appearance remain unmodified.
2. For Awarded Works Only:
   • The badge is exclusive to the piece of storytelling that earned the award.
3. No Unauthorized Commercial Use:
   • Do not use the badge on items for sale without prior written permission.
4. Respect the Badge’s Purpose:
   • Use the badge as a mark of recognition for storytelling that embodies the values of the Spotlyts Awards—creativity, impact, and inspiration.

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Thank you for being part of the Spotlyts community. Your contribution to storytelling helps illuminate the world and inspires positive change. Share your badge with pride, and let it remind your audience of the power of your story!

Our Latest Winners