categories

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.

general categories

1. Fine Art
2. Performing Arts (Music/Dance/Cinema/Theater)
3. Photography
4. Architecture
5. Coffee Table Books
6. Popular Fiction
7. Literary Fiction
8. Short Story Fiction
9. Poetry – Standard

10. Poetry – Specialty

11. Anthologies
12. Juvenile Fiction
13. Young Adult Fiction – General
14. Young Adult Fiction – Fantasy
15. Fantasy
16. Science Fiction
17. LGBTQ+ Fiction
18. Erotica
19. Historical Fiction
20. Military/Wartime Fiction
21. Horror
22. Multicultural Fiction
23. Multicultural Fiction – Juv-Young Adult
24. Mystery
25. Suspense/Thriller
26. Religious Fiction
27. Romance
28. Novella/Short Fiction
29. Visionary/New Age Fiction
30. True Crime
31. Graphic Novel/Drawn Book
32. Humor
33. Children’s Picture Books (7 & Under)
34. Children’s Picture Books (All Ages)
35. Children’s Interactive
36. Juvenile-Young Adult Non-Fiction
37. Multicultural Non-Fiction – Juv-Young Adult
38. Multicultural Non-Fiction – Adult
39. Essay
40. Creative Non-Fiction
41. Autobiography/Memoir I (Celebrity/Political/Romance)
42. Autobiography/Memoir II (Coming of Age/Family Legacy)
43. Autobiography/Memoir III (Personal Struggle/Health Issues)
44. Biography
45. Aging/Death & Dying
46. Animals/Pets
47. Business/Career/Sales
48. Cookbooks- General
49. Cookbooks – Specialty
50. Current Events I (Political/Economic/Foreign Affairs)
51. Current Events II (Social Issues/Humanitarian)
52. Education I (Workbook/Resources)
53. Education II (Commentary/Theory)
54. Nature
55. Environment/Ecology
56. Finance/Investment/Economics
57. LGBTQ+ Non-Fiction

58. Gift/Specialty/Journal

59. Holiday
60. Health/Medicine
61. History (U.S.)
62. History (World)
63. History (Oversized/Coffee Table)
64. Inspirational/Spiritual
65. New Age / Mind-Body-Spirit
66. Parenting
67. Popular Culture
68. Psychology/Mental Health
69. Sports/Fitness/Recreation
70. Reference
71. Religion (Eastern/Western)
72. Science
73. Self Help
74. Sexuality/Relationships
75. Transportation (Auto/Aviation/Railroad)
76. Travel – Essay
77. Travel – Guidebook
78. Women’s Issues
79. Writing/Publishing
80. Book/Author/Publisher Website
81. Cover Design – Fiction
82. Cover Design – Non-Fiction
83. Cover Design – Non-Fiction Oversize
84. Best First Book – Fiction
85. Best First Book – Juv/YA
86. Best First Book – Non-Fiction
87. Book Series – Fiction
88. Book Series – Non-Fiction
89. Audiobook – Fiction*
90. Audiobook – Non-Fiction*
91. Audiobook – N-F – Personal
91. Audiobook – N-F – Informational

regional categories

Our Regional Categories honor books where location plays a significant role. The entire book doesn’t need to take place in one setting, but the location should be a notable feature of the story or subject. These categories include awards for “Best Fiction” and “Best Non-Fiction” in each region.

Books with general topics or no identifiable location aren’t ideal for these categories. Remember, choose your category based on the book’s setting, not the author’s residence.

Northeast
Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
South
Great Lakes
Australia/New Zealand-Aotearoa/Pacific Rim
Plains
West-Mountain
West-Pacific
Canada–East
Canada-West
Europe

ebook categories

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

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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.

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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.

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