The goal of the award is to recognize the best recent book for consumers that contributes to the understanding and resolution of sexual disorders.

The award will be announced in December of 2008 and will be presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting, April 2-5, 2009 in Arlington, Virginia.

Eligibility criteria

1. Content of the book must be related to problems of human sexuality (i.e., sexual dysfunctions, problematic sexual behavior, gender identity issues, or other sexual health issues).

2. The book must be in English and must have been published in the years 2006, 2007, or 2008. It may have multiple authors or be an edited work. Previously submitted books are eligible.

3. Authors or publishers will be required to send five copies of the book to SSTAR for review by the Selection Committee.

4. For further details see the information below. For questions, contact Shirley R. Baron, PhD, Chair of the Selection Committee, shirleybaron@gmail.com or (312) 695-2090.

1. Nominations for the Consumer Book Award may come from any individual, organization, or publisher.

2. The deadline for submitting nominations is July 1, 2008.

3. Nominations should be sent to the SSTAR National Office:

   Society for Sex Therapy and Research
   SSTAR Consumer Book Award
   409 12th St., S.W., PO Box 96920
   Washington, D.C. 20090-6920
   E-mail: ymcneil@acog.org
   Fax: 202-554-0453

1. THE AWARDS

The Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR) has established two book awards to be given to the author(s) or editor(s) of the best works published in English related to the understanding and treatment of sexual disorders: one addressed to the public, and the other to health professionals.

Nominations for the SSTAR Book Award (Consumer) may come from any individual, group or publisher. Nominations should be made in writing to the President who will then transmit the information to the appropriate committee (see below).

The award winners (including multiple authors or each of the editors of an edited book where there is more than one editor) will each be given a plaque and their names will be listed on the SSTAR Web site and in the Directory of Members. There will be no monetary award.

2. FREQUENCY

Each award will be given every two years. The next Consumer Book Award will be given in 2009.

3. THE SELECTION COMMITTEES

The awards will be made by two selection committees, each consisting of three to five SSTAR members. The chairs of the committees will be chosen by the Executive Council. The members of the committees will be chosen by the chair in consultation with the Executive Council. Each committee will develop a short-list of up to five books from which the winner would be chosen. If a member of either committee has published a book that would be considered by the committee of which he or she is a member, or he or she has any potential conflict of interest related to the book , its authors/editors, or the publisher, that person must absent themselves from deliberations concerning their book.

4. ELEGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Books could be written/edited by any person and nominated for a SSTAR Book Award without regard to the author's/editor's membership in SSTAR

2. Content of the books must be related to problems of human sexuality (e.g., sexual dysfunction(s), paraphilias, or gender identity disorders).

3. Books must have been published in the calendar years 2006, 2007 or 2008.

4. Books must be in English but could have been translated from another language.

5. Collections of previously published works would not be eligible.

6. Authors/editors would be eligible regardless of having previously won any book award (including a SSTAR Book Award)

7. Books must be readily available from bookstores and public libraries (in the case of books for the public) and bookstores and university libraries (in the case of books for health professionals). Self-published books will not be eligible.

8. The decision of the selection committee as to whether a book is eligible shall be binding.

5. CONDITIONS OF THE PRIZES

1. Any eligible book which is entered for a SSTAR Book Award shall not qualify unless the publisher or author(s)/editor(s) agrees to provide up to five copies of the book to SSTAR at no cost for each member of the selection committee. The chair of the appropriate committee will be responsible for requesting copies from the publisher or
   author(s)/editor(s).

2. The SSTAR Book Award will be given to the winning author(s)/editor(s) in person at a SSTAR Annual Meeting. SSTAR would strongly encourage the publishers of each winning book to pay author/editor expenses involved in attending the SSTAR meeting (including travel, lodging, food, and registration), although authors/editors may do so themselves in whole or in part.

3. The publisher agrees to include in any advertising for the book that it has been awarded the SSTAR Book Award, either consumer or health professional, for a given year.

6. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES:

1. Books received after the final deadline of July 1, 2008 will not be eligible.

2. Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged in writing by SSTAR

3. Submitted books will not be returned and will remain the property of the reviewers.

7. FINALISTS

1. Shortlists (of up to five books for each award) and the winners of the SSTAR Consumer Book Award will be announced December, 2008. Both will be announced on the SSTAR Web site (SSTARNET.ORG). Publicity directed towards the public and organizations of sexuality professionals, announcing the winners of the SSTAR Book Awards will be the joint responsibility of SSTAR, the author(s)/editor(s), and the publishers.

2. The selection committees will consider the shortlists and the winners in private deliberations. Publishers, authors, and editors should be aware that they will receive no advance notice of the finalists or the winners.

For further information concerning the two book awards, contact the President of SSTAR or the chair of the Book Award Selection Committee. (See SSTARNET.ORG for contact information).

Shirley Baron, PhD (Chair)
Daniel Goldberg, PhD
Kathryn Hall, PhD
Caroline Pukall, PhD
Stephen Snyder, MD