Accepting submissions for the 37th annual Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Book Awards
Got a Book Published in 2024? Here's Your Chance to Shine with the IBPA Book Award
The IBPA Book Award, a celebrated industry event, is back for its 36th year, offering book publishers a prestigious opportunity to showcase their works. Run by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), this program has been recognized for over three decades.
This book award stands out due to the detailed feedback entrants receive. Unlike other contests, judges offer publishers genuinely helpful critiques, which can provide valuable insights for future improvements.
Who Can Join the IBPA Book Award Fray?
This year, the competition is open to publishers of print books and audiobooks with a 2024 copyright. This includes:
- Independent publishers
- Hybrid publishers
- Author publishers
- University presses
- Association presses
If you have a book with a 2024 copyright and want your team (author, publisher, illustrator, editor, designer) to receive the recognition they deserve, this award is perfect for you.
When to Submit Your Masterpiece?
There are two entry periods for 2024 publications:
- July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024
- October 1, 2024 to December 16, 2024
Typically, books published between January and September fall under the first entry period, while October to December releases are best suited for the second. However, as long as your book has a 2024 copyright, you can enter anytime before the final deadline of December 16th, 2024.
Where to Showcase Your Work?
Winners will be celebrated at the IBPA Book Award gala dinner and ceremony at the InterContinental St. Paul on Friday, May 16, 2025.
What Categories to Explore?
With over 50 categories, there's a place for every independent publisher to shine, whether it's in fiction, regional, cookbook, poetry, children's literature, coffee table, design, audiobooks, first-time publishers, or other genres.
The IBPA has also added seven new categories that recognize books published by underrepresented communities, including AAPI, Black/African American, Disabled, First Nations/Indigenous, Latina/o/e, LGBTQIA2+, and Neurodivergent communities.
Ready to Enter?
First, make sure your book has a 2024 copyright. To enter the IBPA Book Award, you'll need to be a current member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA).
For non-members, the entry fee is $234, which includes a $135 annual IBPA membership fee. Members, on the other hand, pay $99 for the initial entry and $99 for additional entries.
Want more details? Head to the IBPA website for the step-by-step entry process and instructions. Good luck, publishers!
Showcasing your work beyond the pages of your book is now within reach, especially if your 2024 publication is a part of the home-and-garden or lifestyle genre. With over 50 categories in the IBPA Book Award, publishers, authors, and designers can polish their skills and present their unique perspectives to a wider audience (IBPA Book Award categories). Additionally, this prestigious event offers invaluable feedback to help publishers refine their home-and-garden or lifestyle books, ensuring they continue to provide enriching content (detailed feedback from judges).
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