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Explore Our Award Categories
The Independent Publisher Book Awards feature over 100 categories, celebrating excellence in a wide array of publishing genres and formats. From general and regional categories to specialized ebook awards, the IPPYs recognize outstanding works in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more. With a category for everyone, we encourage you to submit your book and showcase your talent within the independent publishing community.
- Fine Art
- Performing Arts (Music/Dance/Cinema/Theater)
- Photography
- Architecture
- Coffee Table Books
- Popular Fiction
- Literary Fiction
- Short Story Fiction
- Poetry – Standard
- Poetry – Specialty
- Anthologies
- Juvenile Fiction
- Young Adult Fiction – General
- Young Adult Fiction – Fantasy
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- LGBTQ+ Fiction
- Erotica
- Historical Fiction
- Military/Wartime Fiction
- Horror
- Multicultural Fiction
- Multicultural Fiction – Juv-Young Adult
- Mystery
- Suspense/Thriller
- Religious Fiction
- Romance
- Novella/Short Fiction
- Visionary/New Age Fiction
- True Crime
- Graphic Novel/Drawn Book
- Humor
- Children’s Picture Books (7 & Under)
- Children’s Picture Books (All Ages)
- Children’s Interactive
- Juvenile-Young Adult Non-Fiction
- Multicultural Non-Fiction – Juv-Young Adult
- Multicultural Non-Fiction – Adult
- Essay
- Creative Non-Fiction
- Autobiography/Memoir I (Celebrity/Political/Romance)
- Autobiography/Memoir II (Coming of Age/Family Legacy)
- Autobiography/Memoir III (Personal Struggle/Health Issues)
- Biography
- Aging/Death & Dying
- Animals/Pets
- Business/Career/Sales
- Cookbooks- General
- Cookbooks – Specialty
- Current Events I (Political/Economic/Foreign Affairs)
- Current Events II (Social Issues/Humanitarian)
- Education I (Workbook/Resources)
- Education II (Commentary/Theory)
- Nature
- Environment/Ecology
- Finance/Investment/Economics
- LGBTQ+ Non-Fiction
- Gift/Specialty/Journal
- Holiday
- Health/Medicine
- History (U.S.)
- History (World)
- History (Oversized/Coffee Table)
- Inspirational/Spiritual
- New Age / Mind-Body-Spirit
- Parenting
- Popular Culture
- Psychology/Mental Health
- Sports/Fitness/Recreation
- Reference
- Religion (Eastern/Western)
- Science
- Self Help
- Sexuality/Relationships
- Transportation (Auto/Aviation/Railroad)
- Travel – Essay
- Travel – Guidebook
- Women’s Issues
- Writing/Publishing
- Book/Author/Publisher Website (note: Please enter website as a separate “Book Title”)
- Cover Design – Fiction
- Cover Design – Non-Fiction
- Cover Design – Non-Fiction Oversize
- Best First Book – Fiction
- Best First Book – Juv/YA
- Best First Book – Non-Fiction
- Book Series – Fiction
- (note: Book Series category submissions require at least two volumes, with one volume’s copyright/release date falling within the 2021-2023 copyright time frame. Send all volumes for judging but pay just one fee.)
- Book Series – Non-Fiction
- (note: Book Series category submissions require at least two volumes, with one volume’s copyright/release date falling within the 2021-2023 copyright time frame. Send all volumes for judging but pay just one fee.)
- Audiobook – Fiction*
- Audiobook – Non-Fiction*
- Audiobook – N-F – Personal
- Audiobook – N-F – Informational
(Awards for “Best Fiction” and “Best Non-Fiction” in each region)
Northeast – ME, VT, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY
Mid-Atlantic – PA, WV, VA, DE, MD, DC, NJ
Southeast – KY, NC, SC, GA, FL, TN
South – MS, LA, AR, TX, AL
Great Lakes – OH, MI, MN, IN, IL, WI
Plains – IA, MO, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND
West-Mountain – MT, WY, UT, CO, NM, AZ, ID, NV
West-Pacific – CA, OR, WA, HI, AK
Canada–East – ON, QB, NF, NB, NS, PE, Nunavut
Canada-West – BC, AB, SK, MB, NW Territories, Yukon
Australia/New Zealand-Aotearoa/Pacific Rim
Europe
E1. Best Adult Fiction Ebook
E2. Best Romance/Erotica Ebook
E3. Best Mystery/Thriller Ebook
E4. Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Ebook
E5. Best Adult Non-Fiction Personal Ebook
E6. Best Adult Non-Fiction Informational Ebook
E7. Best Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction Ebook
E8. Best Children’s Illustrated Ebook
E9. Best Regional Ebook – Fiction
E10. Best Regional Ebook – Non-Fiction
Our winning of a gold medal in the 2008 competition has greatly helped book sales. We sold nearly 2500 copies of Wild Alberta at the Crossroads last year and had to order a reprint of 1500. When we show retailers the gold medal they are always impressed and invariably order some books.
Robin White
NatureWatch Partners
MEDALIST
Explore award-winning titles and join us in recognizing the authors, editors, publishers, illustrators, and photographers who have made a lasting impact with their work. These creators push the boundaries of storytelling and design, leaving a lasting legacy in publishing.
GUIDELINES
With entries open to books published from 2023-2025, submissions are judged on quality, originality, and design. Winners are awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals and enjoy year-long recognition and promotion. Keep reading for more details on eligibility, fees, and deadlines.