The competition was exceptionally strong this year, and while not every book can receive a medal, our judges felt compelled to recognize additional titles that stood out for their outstanding quality and creativity.
We’re proud to celebrate these distinguished finalists and their remarkable contributions to independent publishing.
FINALISTS
- ABCs for the Soul by Natalie Cooper (Olive Tree Tales)
- All That Shimmers by Kady Ambrose (Anqa Press)
- Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver by Beverly E. Thorn (GFB)
- Believing in Light after Darkness: Displacement and Refugee Resettlement by Molly Fee (University of California Press)
- Bigger Living, Smaller Space: Resizing for a Clean and Cozy Home by Judy Granlee-Gates (Red Thread Publishing)
- Business School and the Noble Purpose of the Market: Correcting the Systemic Failures of Shareholder Capitalism by Andrew J. Hoffman (Stanford University Press)
- Brick by Brick: Setting the Foundation for a Stable and Joyful Classroom by Kjell Fenn (Solution Tree)
- Crafting Story Movement: Techniques to Engage Readers and Drive Your Novel Forward by Kathryn Craft (Craft on Craft)
- Dollartorium by Ron Pullins (Unsolicited Press)
- Education Empowered: A Holistic Blueprint for Building Better Schools and a Better World by Srinivas Jallepalli (Amplify Publishing Group)
- The Ellie Ment Series by Bertie Stephens (Clean Planet Foundation)
- Emma, Polar Bear by Daniel Blough (Bluebird Lane Publishing)
- Every Body Beloved by Minna Bromberg (Wayne State University Press)
- French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston by Katie Hanson, Julia Welch, Ted Gott & Miranda Wallace, with contributions from Angela Hesson, Cathy Leahy & Meg Slater (National Gallery of Victoria)
- Giving Up The Ghost: A Daughter’s Memoir by Samantha Rose (Picador)
- Grow. Grow Right. Grow Right Now.: Practical Wisdom for Cultivating Character and Sowing Success by Jaime Hepp (Amplify Publishing Group)
- Hi, How Are You? by Holly Rosensweig (Self-Published)
- Historiographies of Game Studies: What It Has Been, What It Could Be Edited by Alisha Karabinus, Carly A. Kocurek, Cody Mejeur, Emma Vossen (Punctum Books)
- I Made a Book About You by Jess Henshall (From You to Me)
- Inherited Inequality: Why Opportunity Gaps Persist Between Black and White Youth Raised in Two-Parent Families by Christina J. Cross (Harvard University Press)
- Into the Night: A Jailbreak and Double Homicide on Maryland’s Eastern Shore by Stephanie L. Fowler (Salt Water Media)
- JOYBeing: Connecting With Your Essence and the Rhythm of Life to Thrive and Inspire by Ann Van Eron, PhD & Gila Ancel Seritcioglu, MA (Open View Press)
- Just Diagnosed: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating Cancer by Jennifer Omholt (She Writes Press)
- Leeta Simtar: A Life on Two Planets (audiobook) by Annie Fox, narrated by Maria Marquis (Electric Eggplant)
- No Offense: A Memoir in Essays by Jackie Domenus (ELJ Editions)
- Ode to a Pug: NOT the VET! by Jill Rosen (Pug House Books)
- Oh No! My Hedgehog is Gone by Pearl G.Alimo & Meghan K. Alimo (Greight Company)
- Orphanland by Lauren Fischer (Mission Point Press)
- Pittsburgh Murder Mysteries by Rebecca A. Miles (Torchflame Books)
- Policing Higher Education:The Antidemocratic Attack on Scholars and Why It Matters by Eve Darian-Smith (Johns Hopkins University Press)
- Range of Motion by Brian Trapp (Acre Books)
- Shadow Scholar: Lessons in the Dark by Dominic Dorsey (UrbanFellowship Strategic Capital LLC)
- Story Business: Why Stories Rule the World and How They Can Reinvent Your Business by Gavin McMahon (Otterpine)
- Solitude by Sebastian JC (Self-Published)
- The Authenticity Key: Claim Your Words. Set Your Compass. Blaze Your Trail by Hilary Dawn Rose Bilbrey (Wise Ink)
- The Double Standard Sporting House by Nancy Bernhard (She Writes Press)
- The Girl in the Water (audiobook) by Joseph Howse, narrated by Annette Chown (Nummist Media)
- The Unpetables (Book 2: Unpetable in the City) by Dennis Messner (Top Shelf Productions)
- The Wild & Free Garden: Transform Your Outdoor Space with Found Materials, Community Sharing, and Creative Ingenuity by Stephanie Rose (Cool Springs Press)
- Vivi: Third Wheel for Life by Vincent Chung (Self-Published)
- Tipori: A Tale From Dessos by Cindy L Sell (Aether and Ash Press)
- Unapologetically Whole by Lola Dada-Olley (Wise Ink)
- We Deserve to Heal: Black Women on the Perils and Promises of Friendship with White Women Edited by Patrice Gopo (University Press of Kentucky)
- Where’s Winnie? by Beth Nicole Hynes (Bunny Tales)
