#BHawards 2025 finalists will be selected by a committee of industry professionals.  Each award category will have a team of panelists unique to the specific group of people it represents.  For example, only Poets or Authors will be eligible to become committee members for the "Poet/Author of the Year" Award.  Committee members are only allowed to nominate colleagues in the specific category they represent, eliminating corruption & voting pacts.  Committee membership is invite-only, but individuals that meet the "Industry's Choice" criteria may apply for committee membership below.

PAOTY Industry's Choice Commitee requirements:
1. Must be a Poet or Author
2. Must be currently active in the literary arts industry
3. Must have several years of experience in the literary arts industry
4. Must be well respected in the literary arts industry
5. Must have bona fide knowledge of the history & future of the genre

PAOTY will have 2 groups of finalists:
1. People's Choice Finalists - Winner selected by the fans
2. Industry's Choice Finalists - Winner selected by industry professionals