Edward E. Smith Memorial Award

The Edward E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction, or Skylark, annually recognizes someone for lifetime contributions to science fiction, "both through work in the field and by exemplifying the personal qualities which made the late 'Doc' Smith well-loved by those who knew him". It is presented by the New England Science Fiction Association at its annual convention, Boskone, to someone chosen by a vote of NESFA members. The trophy is a large lens mounted on a simple plinth. The award was inaugurated in 1966, the year after Smith's death. Sixty-three people have been honored in 60 years to 2026. Hal Clement received the award twice, in 1969 and 1997. Skylark recipients

From the Wikipedia article “Edward E. Smith Memorial Award”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Check the official rules of the Edward E. Smith Memorial Award for the current eligibility window, accepted formats, residency or language requirements and any entry fee. For most established prizes the publisher submits on the author's behalf, often with a limit on entries per imprint.

If you are self-published, look for an explicit statement that independently published books are accepted, and budget for entry fees and copies for judges.