Added to that fact, the CSA committee is planning to have a panel of judges choose the winner from the top three books selected via readers choice. Consequently, the schedule for the CSA is somewhat abbreviated compared to last year. Here’s what it looks like:

• Nominations: February 16-28
• Voters read books and reviews (nominations featured on CSA blog): March 1-15
• Readers vote for top three: March 17-24
• Judges read finalist books and vote: March 24-May 15
• Award Preparation: May 16-29
• Award Announcement: Realm Makers Conference, May 30-31

The first two rounds of the award are still in the hands of readers, beginning with the nominations which we’re opening today.

However there are some requirements, both for the books that are eligible and for the voters who can vote. Here’s what you need to know.

Clive Staples Award for Christian Speculative Fiction

Recognizing the best in Christian Speculative Fiction

The books that are eligible must be all of the following:

• Christian—either overtly or because of a Christian worldview

• published in English

• published by a publisher which has no direct affiliation with the author and which pays a royalty (i.e. not self-published, even through any of the services offered by publishing companies)

• published between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013

• in the science fiction/fantasy/allegory/futuristic/supernatural/supernatural suspense/horror category

Nomination guidelines

• Because this is primarily a readers award, authors, agents, and publishers may not nominate books with which they are affiliated.

• Those wishing to nominate a book must leave a comment including the title, author, and publisher.

Readers’ Choice Voting

Voters will be eligible only if they have read two or more of the books nominated. We want this to be a selection by readers of Christian speculative fiction, not just the fans of particular authors.

Below are standards to consider.

Standards for Clive Staples Award books:

• Quality writing style and mechanics
• Believable and well-developed world-building
• Depth of characterization
• Well-structured, unpredictable, and interesting plot
• A central theme consistent with a Christian worldview that arises from the characters and events and is well-integrated into the story

If you would like to nominate a book for the Clive Staples Award, please leave the required information in the comments section below or at the award site.