At Black Girls Who Write, we don’t wait for others to recognize US and OUR accomplishments—we celebrate each other, loudly and proudly. The IT’S LIT! Literary Awards is our way of giving Black authors their well-deserved flowers, especially Black Indie Authors, by amplifying their voices, honoring their talent, and making sure their work gets the recognition it deserves.
This is more than an awards ceremony—it’s a movement. Powered by community voting, the IT’S LIT! Literary Awards puts the spotlight on the storytellers shaping culture, challenging narratives, and reflecting the richness of Black experiences on the page.
Join us in making sure Black storytelling continues to thrive. Because when we tell our stories, the world listens—and that’s why IT’S LIT!
The next chapter is yours to write.
Spotify Audiobook Selects is a new publishing program offering indie authors professional audio production, upfront payment, promotion, and distribution to Spotify listeners around the world. Twice a year, Spotify Audiobooks Selects will request manuscripts around a specific theme.
Spotify’s new publishing program offers indie authors professional audio production, upfront payment, promotion, and access to Spotify listeners around the world. Take a chance to find your biggest audience yet!
Submissions open now and close on April 30, 2026.
The current theme: Swoon-worthy tropes. Check out the submission page to dive into more of the program’s benefits, hear from their first round of authors, and more.
Honorary Awards
Honorary Awards
And the Winners are...
And the Winners are...
Black Audiobook of the Year
PRESENTED BY
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Jahquel J.
AUTHOR QUEEN OF THE YEAR
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S.A. Cosby
AUTHOR KING OF THE YEAR
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Courtney Cox
BEST NEW AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
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Darcy
Too LIT! Award
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Cappadonna
BEST WOMEN’S FICTION
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A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
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The Delgato Family Series
BEST BOOK SERIES OF THE YEAR
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Capri
BEST URBAN ROMANCE
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This Could Be Us
BEST INTERRACIAL/MULTICULTURAL ROMANCE BY A BLACK AUTHOR
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Second Chance Christmas
HOLIDAY ROMANCE
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The Davenports: More than This
BEST YOUNG/NEW ADULT FICTION
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The Hood Flower Girl
BEST NOVELLA
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Product of the Streets 5
BEST EROTICA
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Intrigued by Danger
BLACK ROMANCE
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Ella Gets the D
BEST ROM-COM
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Feelings for You
BEST SPORTS ROMANCE
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Bitter Sweet
QUEER ROMANCE
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Just Right
BEST POLY/WHY CHOOSE ROMANCE
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Stolen Matrimony
BEST DARK ROMANCE
BEST COLLABORATIVE BOOK OR SERIES
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The Secret World of Maggie Grey
BEST MYSTERY/SUSPENSE
BEST FANTASY/PARANORMAL
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Black Girls Breathing
BEST NON-FICTION
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High Notes of Poetry
BEST POETRY BOOK
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The Secret World of Maggie Grey
BEST CHILDREN’S BOOK
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Imani Parks
BEST NARRATOR OF THE YEAR
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Completely Booked / Jordan H.
BEST LITERARY CONTENT CREATOR & BEST BOOK CLUB
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Tyler Perry
BEST SCREENWRITER
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Joy Reid
BEST JOURNALIST
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The Lit Library
BEST AUTHOR/BOOKISH PODCAST
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She Well Read
BEST AUTHOR/BOOKISH VLOG
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The Lit Bar
BEST BLACK-OWNED BOOKSTORE
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Essence
BEST BLACK-OWNED MAGAZINE
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