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.

  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 (note: Please enter website as a separate “Book Title”)
  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
    • (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.)
  88. 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.)
  89. Audiobook – Fiction*
  90. Audiobook – Non-Fiction*
  91. Audiobook – N-F – Personal
  92. 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.

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.

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