Write and publish at least three books in the genre you choose before entering the National Book Award contest. Most winners have published at least this amount and only a couple of debut writers have been awarded this prominent prize.
Read the National Book Award Guidelines that are found on the National Book Award website. Be sure to follow each guideline so you will not be disqualified from the event.
Ask your publisher to turn in your work prior to June 16. Books entered at this time will qualify for the following year's contest. You have several genres to choose from when entering the contest such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people's literature. However, you personally cannot enter the contest, your publisher must send it in to the committee.
Await word from the national book committee that you have been named as a finalist in the competition.
Receive your National Book Award in October in the New York City ceremony. Your book sales will hit the roof and the chance that you will receive the reward again is very good considering your name is amongst the elite.