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The 20th Annual IPPY Awards Ceremony

On May 10th, 2016, we were honored to host the 20th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards Ceremony. The ceremony celebrated the year’s best, most creative and groundbreaking independently published books, as well as the people whose hard work helped produce them. With 300 authors, publishers, photographers, illustrators and guests toasting to their accomplishments, it was a joyous occasion and a promising picture of the state of independent publishing.

The ceremony took place at the stunning 99th floor of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in downtown Chicago. As Director Jim Barnes saw it, it was a “appropriately lofty perch to celebrate this year’s talented winners and an ideal venue to host a milestone ceremony – this year marks our twentieth anniversary.” And the views certainly delivered; after a day of cloudy skies and no visibility, the clouds parted just as the first guests were arriving, affording beautiful views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

“Our ceremony has never been your traditional awards gala," says Director Jim Barnes. "We seek to celebrate passion, creativity, and an independent attitude in publishing, and our ceremony tends to be as spirited as our medalists.”

These medalists came from 43 U.S. states, six Canadian provinces, and nine countries overseas. The winners make up a reading list that is extensive and diverse, featuring new voices and viewpoints passionately expressed through soulful memoirs, insightful self-help books, and penetrating critiques of our social and political systems.

Nine-year-old medalist Trisha Rao gave a presentation midway through the ceremony, using the theme of her award-winning book Believe in Yourself to call attention to suffering refugee children who have lost their home, homeland, and family. "I dedicate this book to children around the world to share my message of hope and belief with them," Trisha began. "In tough times, the most important thing is to always stay positive and always believe in yourself... I learned that we have great power within ourselves and we can all make a very big difference to the lives of others." Her empowering message has already been a huge hit with refugee children in Istanbul, so Trisha has decided to donate one copy of Believe in Yourself to refugee children for every book sold. 

Congratulations and sincere thanks to the medalists who made the 2016 IPPY ceremony so memorable! Cheers!

For the full photo album, click here


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