Independent Publisher Book Awards

Enter the world's largest book awards competition and earn credibility and publicity for your books!

Entry deadline March 21, 2009
$75 per title per category until Nov. 15, 2008 $80 per category Nov. 16 until Jan. 17, 2009
$85 per category Jan. 18 until March 21, 2009
Just $45 to also enter the Regional Awards

For twelve years the Independent Publisher Book Awards have been conducted annually to honor the year's best independently published titles. The "IPPY" Awards reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing. Independent spirit and expertise comes from publishers of all sizes and budgets, and books are judged with that in mind. All independent, university, small press, and self-publishers who produce books intended for the North American market are eligible to enter titles copyrighted or released in 2008. Independent authors using print-on-demand publishing services are welcome to enter their books themselves.

Independent spirit and expertise comes from publishers of all sizes and budgets, and books are judged with that in mind. National entries will be accepted in 65 categories, including one new one this year, Transportation (Automotive/Aviation/Railroad, etc.). Last year, we updated our General Fiction category by dividing it into Popular Fiction and Literary Fiction. Gift/Holiday/Specialty, Graphic Novel/Drawn Book (Humor/Cartoon), Graphic Novel/Drawn Book (Drama/Documentary), and Best Book Marketing categories have recently been added.

Twenty special awards will be given in recognition of the Best Regional Fiction and Best Regional Non-Fiction books in eight U.S. and two Canadian regions. Regional books of fiction are typically set within the region, and deal with a local event, characters or topic; regional non-fiction entries are often guidebooks, picture books and informative books on regional history, geography, travel, etc. If your book is written or published with a regional focus, don't miss the opportunity to extend your exposure and increase your chances of winning a regional Independent Publisher Book Award.

For 25 years our mission at Independent Publisher Magazine has been to recognize and encourage the work of publishers who exhibit the courage and creativity necessary to take chances, break new ground and bring about change. One book in each of the following categories will receive a special award for Outstanding Book of the Year:

Most Original Concept
Most Likely to Save the Planet
Freedom Fighter of the Year
Most Outstanding Design
Peacemaker of the Year
Story Teller of the Year
Best Book Arts Craftsmanship
Most Inspirational to Youth
Most Life-Changing
Most Progressive Health Book

These winning titles may or may not be finalists among the regular national categories or regional competition. No extra effort is needed to enter; they will be chosen from the regular Award entries. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each category.

The Independent Publisher Book Awards, launched in 1996, were designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers. Established as the first awards program open exclusively to independents, the "IPPYs" recognize hundreds of the year's best books, bringing them to the attention of booksellers, buyers, librarians, and book lovers around the world.

Each year we see continued emergence of quality publishing from independents around the world. Over 1,500 publishers participated in the 2007 Awards, from all 50 United States, eight Canadian provinces, and 18 other countries around the world. We define "independent" as 1) independently owned and operated; 2) operated by a foundation or university; or 3) long-time independents that became incorporated but operate autonomously and publish fewer than 50 titles a year.

Our IPPY Awards now receive more than 3,000 book entries, making this the largest independent book awards contest in the world. Popular categories like Memoir and Inspirational receive over 100 entries, increasing the competitiveness and legitimacy of the Awards. Book reviewers, buyers, and book lovers are always on the lookout for "proven winners!"

The Millionaire Next Door, a winner in our inaugural 1997 awards contest, has gone on to sell more than 2.5 million copies and spawn off-shoots including The Millionaire Mind.

1997 Cookbook winner Southern Settings, published by the Decatur General Hospital Foundation, continues to sell today, thanks in part to the Awards sticker on the cover of each copy.

A major pharmaceutical company discovered IPPY winner Fit to Cook: Why "Waist" Time in the Kitchen? and bought 187,000 copies to use in a promotional campaign.

Our 2004 IPPY Fiction category winner, The Sleeping Father, by Matthew Sharpe, was also a TODAY Show Book Club winner, got notices in the New York Times and Publishers Weekly, and has become a popular reading group selection.

"I was speaking to (a publisher I'd met at BookExpo) on the phone and she didn't remember me, but then the moment I said that my book won the 2006 IPPY Award for Outstanding Book of the Year - Most Life Changing, she immediately perked up and went "OH." She got really excited after that and wanted to hear more about my book. She was happily anticipating my book proposal. First, it shows how well-known and prestigious the IPPY award is. Just the name IPPY Award can knock down brick walls. Second, it's a great example of how important it is for authors to submit their books to award contests."

- Bronwyn Marmo, author of The Food is a Lie, the Truth is Within

"Equipped with these awards, the book has taken on a new life. We've had several reviewers who passed on the chance to review it the first time around offer to review it now. We've also had some paperback reprint interest and even some film interest."

- Joan Schweighardt, author of 2004 winner, the historical thriller Gudrun's Tapestry

"The fact is award stickers help to convince buyers to purchase. I've seen this happen with librarians -- when faced with two competing titles and a limited acquisition budget the librarians will take the one that won an award, any award, over the title that doesn't have an award to its credit. I'm confident that this same phenomena works for bookstore patrons browsing the shelves as well."

- Jim Cox, Midwest Book Review

"It was always going to be difficult for me to do business all the way from Australia. You and your awards have provided a "foot in the door" in the US market for me, which I thoroughly appreciate!"

- Ronald Johnston, One Vision Books, Brisbane, Australia

"I received the award for the William Fox book, and I can't tell you how happy I was to see it. We are a very small company and put our heart and soul into each book, often finding photos for the text ourselves and arguing with writers, who insist their work is perfect and not to be touched. Very few of our writers realize a good editor only makes them look better. But it's so nice to have your work recognized, especially since usually we only get complaints. I sincerely thank you."

-Susan Svehla Midnight Marquee Press