Guidelines

Everything you need to know about entering the IPPY Awards

Everything you need to know about entering the IPPY Awards

The IPPY Awards are all about celebrating the diversity and excellence in the independent publishing world. Open to authors and publishers from around the globe, these awards recognize fantastic books written in English for the North American market.

We’ve got everything you need to know about eligibility, entry fees, submission guidelines, deadlines, and the judging process here. Have any additional questions? Send us a message today.

Enter Online
Enter By Mail

WHO MAY ENTER

Independent publishers, university presses, self-publishers and independent authors throughout North America, as well as overseas publishers and authors who publish books intended for an English speaking audience are eligible. Authors are welcome to enter their books themselves.

We define “independent” as:

  • Independently owned and operated
  • Operated by a foundation or university
  • Long-time independents that became conglomerated but operate autonomously and publish fewer than 100 titles a year.

ELIGIBILITY

 

Books released with 2023-2025 copyrights are eligible. Entrants are to select the category and/or region (see category list) in which the book(s) should be judged.

Regional entries do best when their subject matter reflects the region in which they are entered. In other words, a book by an author from Quebec writing about a murder in Maine will do best in the Northeast U.S. regional category. Make your decision on whether a book will sell best at a regional level, and which region it will sell in.

eBooks are eligible in our eBbook categories and can also be entered in regular subject categories, where they will be judged alongside print books.

HOW TO ENTER

There are two ways to enter the awards:

1. Online: Enter and pay by credit card here 

2. By Mail: Print and fill out the entry form, then send it with your payment by check.

DEADLINE

All entries must be submitted online or postmarked by the final entry deadline of March 27, 2025. A ten-day grace period allows books to arrive at our office by April 10, 2025, which is the start of judging.

WHAT TO SEND

Include your online registration receipt or completed entry form and check (in U.S. funds) with your books, unless they are shipped directly from a distributor.

Submission Requirements:

  • Submit one copy of the title per category
  • eBook files (PDF only please) can be uploaded after entry or sent as a gift from your distributor to info@ippyawards.com with your order number in the subject line.
  • Audiobooks must be entered as a gift from your platform of choice (please do not send files). Entries and gifts can be sent to info@ippyawards.com with your order number in the subject line.

All books submitted become the property of Jenkins Group and will eventually be donated to local libraries or charities. eBook files will be deleted after judging and announcement of results. Judges will only see the book itself, so please don’t send any press kits, reviews, bookmarks, etc.

SUBMISSION & FEES

You may submit a title in multiple categories, but an entry fee is required for each category entered. Please send one copy of the title for each category.

Mail submissions to:

IPPY Awards Jenkins Group 1129 Woodmere Ave - Suite B Traverse City, MI 49686

Entry Deadlines:

  • Early-Bird Deadline 1: October 14, 2024 - $79 per category
  • Early-Bird Deadline 2: December 16, 2024 - $89 per category
  • Final Deadline: March 27, 2025 - $99 per category

eBook and regional categories are $55 when added to a regular category or the same fee as regular categories when submitted as an eBook only.

Once you submit your entry, we'll confirm it via email and keep you updated with judging progress and results announcements. So, be sure to provide a valid email address and add info@ippyawards.com to your contacts.

JUDGING PROCESS

Judging will be based on the quality of content, design, and production with an emphasis on originality, innovation, and social relevance in each category. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, design, reviewing, bookselling, and library. Three to six medalists per category will be named on May 15, 2025.

AWARDS & PRESENTATION

Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded in each category. Each winning book receives a medal, a personalized certificate, and 20 sample seals. Additional award seals are available for medalists in rolls of 250 and 1,000. High-resolution versions of the medalist artwork are also available for purchase for book covers and promotional materials.

AWARD CEREMONY

All medalists are invited to join the awards ceremony that will be held virtually on June 12, 2025.

It’s made a huge difference in my sales, and was the key factor in convincing me to go to a second printing. The IPPY gold seal looks great on the new cover, and I think it’s opening some doors to publication reviews.

Ed Spivey

Author of A Hamster is Missing in Washington D.C., Humor category Gold Medalist.

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