Congratulations and sincere thanks to over 2,750 independent authors and publishers who participated in our 19th annual, 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards contest.
Here are the gold, silver, and bronze medalists in our 78 National categories, 273 in all, representing 45 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, six Canadian provinces, and ten countries overseas.
10 OUTSTANDING BOOKS OF THE YEAR
These medalists were chosen from our regular entries for having "the courage and creativity necessary to take chances, break new ground, and bring about change, not only to the world of publishing, but to our society." These are the book projects our judges found the most heartfelt, unique, outspoken and experimental among all of the entries.
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Most Original Concept
The Boomer List, by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (Luxury Custom Publishing / AARP)
Best Book Arts Craftsmanship
Project 365, by Vincent Serritella (Vincent Serritella Studio)
Most Likely to Save the Planet
The Wastewater Gardener: Preserving the Planet One Flush at a Time, by Mark Nelson (Synergetic Press)
Independent Spirit Award (tie)
Super Power Baby Project, written and photographed by Rachel Callander (Evie's Book Club)
Woman: An Anthology, Edited by Alana Brooker, Contributions by various authors (At Bay Press)
Peacemaker of the Year (tie)
Painting for Peace in Ferguson, by Carol Swartout Klein (Layla Dog Press)
Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street, by Robert L. Okin, MD (Golden Pine Press)
Independent Voice Award
To This Day, by Shane Koyczan (Annick Press)
Most Outstanding Design
The Wordless Leonard Cohen Songbook, by George A. Walker (The Porcupine's Quill)
2015 Winners and Finalists
1. Fine Art
Gold: Transformation and Continuity in Lakota Culture: The Collages of Arthur Amiotte, 1988-2014, by Arthur Amiotte, Louis S. Warren, and Janet Catherine Berlo (South Dakota State Historical Society Press)
Silver: Points of Inspiration: An Artist’s Journey with Painting and Photography, by LeeAnn Brook (Brook Design Group, Inc.)
Bronze: International Drawing Annual 8, by Manifest Press (Manifest Press)
2. Performing Arts
Gold: Joni Mitchell: In Her Own Words, by Malka Marom (ECW Press Ltd.)
Silver: Styling the Stars: Lost Treasures from the Twentieth Century Fox Archive, by Angela Cartwright and Tom McLaren (Insight Editions)
Bronze: We are the Music Makers! Preserving the Soul of America’s Music, by Timothy & Denise Duffy (Nautilus Publishing)
3. Photography
Gold: Carleton Watkins: The Stanford Albums, Edited by Cantor Arts Center (Stanford University Press)
Earth Is My Witness: The Photography of Art Wolfe, by Art Wolfe (Insight Editions)
Silver: Julie Blackmon: Homegrown, by Julie Blackmon with Billy Collins & Reese Witherspoon (Radius Books)
Bronze: Big Shots: Rock Legends and Hollywood Icons: The Photography of Guy Webster, by Harvey Kubernik and Kenneth Kubernik (Insight Editions)
4. Architecture
Gold: Generating Hope: Stories of the BeauSoleil Louisiana Solar Home, by W. Geoff Gjertson (University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press)
Silver: CENTER 18: Music in Architecture–Architecture in Music, by The Center for American Architecture and Design (University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture)
Bronze: Vanishing French Heritage, by Jack Richard Luer & Jesse W. Francis (The Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation)
5. Contemporary Fiction
Gold (tie): Water on the Moon, by Jean P. Moore (She Writes Press)
The Heart of it All, by Justin Courter (Owl Canyon Press)
Silver (tie): A Moment More Sublime, by Stephen Grant (Upper West Side Philosophers, Inc.)
Bittersweet Manor, by Tory McCagg (She Writes Press)
Bronze: The Sheltering, by Mark Powell (The University of South Carolina Press)
6. Literary Fiction
Gold: Sea of Hooks, by Lindsay Hill (McPherson & Company)
Silver (tie): The Poppy Field Diary, by Carey Richard (Bonhoeffer Publishing)
Prague Summer, by Jeffrey Condran (Counterpoint)
Bronze: Byrd, by Kim Church (Dzanc Books)
7. Short Story Fiction
Gold: Come By Here, by Tom Noyes (Autumn House Press)
Silver: Unaccompanied Minors, by Alden Jones (New American Press)
Bronze (tie): The Pull of the Moon, by Julie Paul (Brindle & Glass Publishing)
Dispensations, by Randolph Thomas (New Rivers Press)
8. Anthologies
Gold: My Very End of the Universe: Five Novellas-in-Flash and a Study of the Form, by Chris Bower, Margaret Patton Chapman, Tiff Holland, Meg Pokrass, Aaron Teel (Rose Metal Press)
Silver: Whatever Doesn’t Kill You: Six Memoirs of Resilience, Strength, and Forgiveness, Edited by Laura Fraser (Shebooks)
Bronze (tie): Breaking Through: The Girls Write Now 2014 Anthology, Edited by Molly MacDermot (Girls Write Now)
Stone Canoe Number 9, Edited by Robert Colley (YMCA of Greater Syracuse, Inc)
9. Juvenile Fiction
Gold: Jack the Castaway, by Lisa Doan; illustrated by Ivica Stevanovic (Darby Creek Publishing)
Silver: Project Superhero, by E. Paul Zehr (ECW Press)
Bronze: My Brother's Story, by Allen Johnson Jr. (Premium Press America)
10. Young Adult Fiction
Gold (tie): The Belief in Angels, by J. Dylan Yates (Chenery Press)
Words and Their Meanings, by Kate Bassett (Flux Books / Llewellyn Worldwide)
Silver (tie): Spirit Legacy: Book 1 of the Gateway Trilogy, by E.E. Holmes (Lily Faire Publishing)
Spelled, by Kate St. Clair (Black Hill Press)
Bronze: Melt, by Selene Castrovilla (Last Syllable Books)
11. Fantasy
Gold: Circle of Reign, by Jacob Cooper (CreateSpace)
Silver: Parabolis, by Eddie Han and Curt Merlo (Saboteur Press)
Bronze: Escape from Netherworld, by David Kuklis (Word Association Publishers)
12. Science Fiction
Gold: The Milkman: A Freeworld Novel, by Michael J. Martineck (Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing)
Silver: The Seventh Day, by Andy Malone (Dark Nebula Publishing)
Bronze: Orphans, by Ben Tanzer (Switchgrass)
13. Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans Fiction
Gold: Double Exposure, by Bridget Birdsall (Sky Pony Press/Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.)
Silver: Patrice: A Poemella, by Geri Gale (PK & Alex Co.)
Bronze: My Favorite Second Chance, by Rue (Sittin’ on a Goldmine Productions, LLC)
14. Historical Fiction
Gold: The Roses Underneath, by C.F. Yetmen (Ypsilon & Co Press)
Silver (tie): Thieving Forest, by Martha Conway (Noontime Books)
The Last Sister: A Novel, by Courtney McKinney-Whitaker (University of South Carolina Press)
Bronze: Klara with a K, by Sandy Berman (CreateSpace)
15. Military/Wartime Fiction
Gold: Two Sons of China, by Andrew Lam (Bondfire Books)
Silver: Terror on the Alert, by Robert W. Mackay (TouchWood Editions)
Bronze: Immigrant Soldier: The Story of a Ritchie Boy, by K. Lang-Slattery (Pacific Bookworks)
16. Horror
Gold: The Dark Verse, Vol. 3: Beyond the Grip of Time, by M. Amanuensis Sharkchild (Armored Books)
Silver: Qualia Nous, Edited by Michael Bailey (Written Backwards)
Bronze (tie): Ordinary Mayhem, by Victoria A. Brownworth (Bold Strokes Books)
The Dark, by David C. Cassidy (CreateSpace)
17. Multicultural Fiction – Adult
Gold: My Blue Skin Lover, by Monona Wali (Blue Jay Ink)
Silver: Singular Acts of Endearment, by Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé (Squircle Line Press / Grey Sparrow Press)
Bronze: A Falling Star, by Chantel Acevedo (Carolina Wren Press)
18. Multicultural Fiction – Juv-Young Adult
Gold: The Clever Swallow, by Christopher Lee, illustrated by Yoom Thawilvejakul (Ammonite Films Publishing)
Silver: Walking Two Worlds, by Joseph Bruchac (7th Generation)
Bronze: The Parrot Matchmaker: An African Lovers Tale, by Felix Adeoti Oguntoye (Asalako Press)
19. Mystery/Cozy/Noir
Gold: Dying to Know, by Tj O’Connor (Midnight Ink / Llewellyn Worldwide)
Silver (tie): Limestone Gumption, by Bryan E. Robinson (Five Star/Gale)
Other People’s Money, by Elizabeth Russell (Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC)
Bronze: The White Magic Five and Dime, by Steve Hockensmith and Lisa Falco (Midnight Ink / Llewellyn)
20. Suspense/Thriller
Gold: Return to Sandara, by Mark Rubinstein (Thunder Lake Press)
Silver: Favors and Lies, by Mark Gilleo (The Story Plant)
Bronze: Notes from Underground, by Roger Scruton (Beaufort Books)
21. Religious Fiction
Gold: Miracle Girls, by M.B. Caschetta (Engine Books)
Silver (tie): Rich Thirsty Hungry, by Jamie Lisea (CreateSpace)
Playing by the Book, by S. Chris Shirley (Magnus Books)
Bronze: Blood of a Stone, by Jeanne Lyet Gassman (Tuscany Press, LLC)
22. Romance
Gold (tie): To Ride a White Horse, by Pamela Ford (CreateSpace)
Heart of a Dove, by Abbie Williams (Central Avenue Publishing)
Silver: Wind Chime Cafe, by Sophie Moss (Sea Rose Publishing)
Bronze: Haunting Mr. Darcy: A Spirited Courtship, by KaraLynne Mackrory (Meryton Press)
23. True Crime
Gold: Life Real Loud: John Lefebvre, Neteller and the Revolution in Online Gambling, by Bill Reynolds (ECW Press)
Silver: Poisoned, by Steve Shukis (Title Town Publishing)
Bronze: I Am Raymond Washington, by Zach Fortier with Derard Barton (SteeleShark Press)
24. Urban Fiction
Gold: A Complicated Love Song, by Lynda Jones-Burns (Heart 2 Hand Publishing)
Silver: Bereft, by Craig Laurance Gidney (Tiny Satchel Press)
Bronze: A Profile in Black, by Andre Carter (Montellus & Chloe Creations)
25. Visionary Fiction
Gold: Trusting the Currents, by Lynnda Pollio (SageHeart Media)
Silver: In My Time of Dying, by E.A. Branham (CreateSpace)
Bronze: When the Animals Vanished, by Mary Wirz (Chara Print)
26. Children’s Picture Books (7 & Under)
Gold: The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, by LeVar Burton and Susan Schaefer Bernardo; illustrated by Courtenay Fletcher (RR Kidz Inc)
Silver: The Great Googly Moogly, by Courtney Dicmas (Child’s Play International Ltd.)
Bronze (tie): The Night Before My Birthday Book, by Joni Rubinstein; illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal (Three Hearts Presents LLC)
Luna Luna, by Sam Ryan; illustrated by Hazel Mitchell (Mascot Books)
27. Children’s Picture Books (All Ages)
Gold (tie): Cyparissus, by Marta Sanmamed; illustrated by Sonja Wimmer; translated by Jon Brokenbrow (Cuento de Luz)
T.L.C., by M.H. Clark (Compendium Inc.)
Silver: Fred and the Monster, by Scott Sussman; illustrated by Yves Margarita (Octopus Ink Press)
Bronze: The Coal Thief, by Alane Adams; illustrated by Lauren Gallegos (Rodina Press)
28. Children’s Interactive
Gold: Digging Deep: A Journal for Young People Facing Health Challenges, by Rose Offner, MFA & Sheri Brisson, MA (Resonance House Publishing)
Silver: The Super Cool Ultra Fun Kid’s Activity Book: A Creative Book for Creative Brains, by Paula V. Kehoe (Empowering Arts Press)
Bronze: Mama Yoga and the Story of Namaste, by Susanna Stratford; illustrated by Alex Langenstein (Mama Yoga’s Kids)
29. Juvenile-Young Adult Non-Fiction
Gold: Smile & Succeed for Teens, by Kirt Manecke (Solid Press, LLC)
Silver: How to be a Space Explorer: Your Out-of-this-World Adventure, by Mark Brake / Lonely Planet Kids (Lonely Planet Pub)
Bronze: The Electrifying Story of Multiple Sclerosis, by Vanita Oelschlager; illustrated by Joe Rossi (Vanita Books, LLC)
30. Multicultural N-F Juv-Young Adult
Gold: Amazing World Atlas: Bringing the World to Life, by Lonely Planet Kids (Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd)
Silver: All About China, by Allison Branscombe (Tuttle Publishing)
Bronze: Because I Am a Girl, by Rosemary McCarney with Jen Albaugh and Plan International (Second Story Press)
31. Multicultural Non-Fiction Adult
Gold: To Live in Paradise, by Cindi McVey (Homebound Publications)
Silver: Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race, by Debby Irving (Elephant Room Press)
Bronze: The Four Words for Home, by Angie Chuang (Aquarius Press / Willow Books)
32. Essay/Creative Non-Fiction
Gold: The Wheeling Year: A Poet’s Field Book, by Ted Kooser (University of Nebraska Press)
Silver: The Only Sounds We Make, by Lee Zaharias (Hub City Press)
Bronze (tie): Driving Backwards, by Jessica Lander (TidePool Press)
Sweet Lechery, by Jeet Heer (The Porcupine’s Quill)
33. Autobiography/Memoir I (Celebrity / Political / Romance)
Gold: The Beatles and Me on Tour, by Ivor Davis (Cockney Kid Publishing)
Silver (tie): Under This Beautiful Dome: A Senator, A Journalist, and the Politics of Gay Love in America, by Terry Mutchler (Seal Press)
Blessed Experiences: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black, by James E. Clyburn (University of South Carolina Press)
Bronze: 100 Paintings: An Artist's Life in New York City, by Rob Mango (No Room For Doubt, Inc.)
34. Autobiography/Memoir II (Coming of Age / Family Legacy / Travel)
Gold (tie): Bearwallow: A Personal History of a Mountain Homeland, by Jeremy B. Jones (John F. Blair, Publisher)
A Cup of Water Under My Bed: A Memoir, by Daisy Hernandez (Beacon Press)
Silver (tie): Home Sweet Anywhere, by Lynne Martin (Sourcebooks Inc.)
This is Mexico, by Carol M. Merchasin (She Writes Press)
Bronze: Wheels Up: Sky Jinks in the Jet Age, by Captain Steve Taylor (Joggling Board Press)
35. Autobiography / Memoir III (Personal Struggle / Health Issues)
Gold: As the Lilacs Bloomed, by Anna Molnár Hegedűs (The Azrieli Foundation)
Silver (tie): Compass and a Camera, by Steven Burchik (Sharlin-K Press)
Tom Hom: Rabbit on a Bumpy Road, by Tom Hom (Sunbelt Publications, Inc.)
Bronze: Turbulence: A True Story of Survival, by Annette Herfkens (Matter and Mind, LLC.)
36. Biography
Gold: A Polish Doctor in the Nazi Camps: My Mother’s Memories of Imprisonment, Immigration, and a Life Remade, by Barbara Rylko-Bauer (University of Oklahoma Press)
Silver: Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and the Religion of Biologic Living, by Brian C. Wilson (Indiana University Press)
Bronze: Max Starkloff and the Fight for Disability Rights, by Charles E. Claggett Jr. with Richard H. Weiss (Missouri History Museum)
37. Aging/Death & Dying
Gold: Leaning into Love: A Spiritual Journey Through Grief, by Elaine Mansfield (Larson Publications)
Silver: Grandma, by Jessica Shepherd (Child’s Play International Ltd.)
Bronze: The Other Talk: A Guide to Talking With Your Adult Children about the Rest of Your Life, by Tim Prosch (AARP / McGraw-Hill)
38. Animals/Pets
Gold: Daisy To The Rescue: True Stories of Daring Dogs, Paramedic Parrots, & Other Animal Heroes, by Jeff Campbell (Zest Books)
Silver: Think Like Your Dog and Enjoy the Rewards, by Dianna M. Young with Robert H. Mottram (Island Book Publishing, LLC)
Bronze (tie): Dogs Rule Nonchalantly, by Mark Ulriksen (Goff Books)
Born To Run: Athletes of the Iditarod, by Albert Lewis (See Spot Run)
39. Business/Career/Sales
Gold: Got Social Mediology? Using Psychology to Master Social Media for Your Business Without Spending a Dime, by Jay Izso (InterAction Press)
Silver: Leading with Sense: The Intuitive Power of Savoir-Relier, by Valérie Gauthier (Stanford University Press)
Bronze (tie): Future Jobs: Solving the Employment and Skills Crisis, by Edward E. Gordon (ABC-CLIO)
Undeterred: The Six Success Habits of Women in Emerging Economies, by Rania Habiby Anderson (The Way Women Work Press)
40. Coffee Table Books
Gold: Reflection, by Heinrich van den Berg (HPH Publishing)
Silver: Ken Duncan- Life’s a Journey, by Ken Duncan (Panographs Publishing PTY LTD)
Bronze (tie): Unusual Hotels of the World, by Steve Dobson (JonGlez)
The Public Art of Robert Dafford, by Philip Gould (University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press)
41. Cookbooks - General
Gold (tie): Desserts from My Kitchen, From the Creator of Raincoast Crisps, by Lesley Stowe (Barlow Book Publishing Inc.)
Backstreet Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes from Our Neighborhood Cafe, by Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega (Inwood Publishing)
Silver: Almonds: Recipes, History, Culture, by Barbara Bryant, Betsy Fentress, and Lynda Balslev (Gibbs Smith / Watermark Publishing LLC)
Bronze: Relish Mama: Recipes from a Shared Table & the Relish Mama Kitchen, by Nellie Kerrison (Relish Mama Cooking School)
42. Cookbooks (Nutrition / Vegetarian)
Gold: The Vibrant Table, by Anya Kassoff (Roost Books)
Silver: The 30-Day Vegan Challenge (New Edition): The Ultimate Guide to Eating Healthfully and Living Compassionately, by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (Montali Press)
Bronze: Clean Eating Freezer Meals, by Tiffany McCauley (Pelican Publishing)
43. Current Events I (Political/Economic/Legal/Media)
Gold: Speculative Markets: Drug Circuits and Derivative Life in Nigeria, by Kristin Peterson (Duke University Press)
Silver: Beyond Liberty Alone: A Progressive Vision of Freedom and Capitalism in America, by Howard I. Schwartz (Other Ideas Press)
Bronze: Emerge! The Rise of Functional Democracy and the Future of the Middle East, by Elza S. Maalouf (SelectBooks, Inc.)
44. Current Events II (Social Issues/Public Affairs/Ecological/Humanitarian)
Gold: Addressing Climate Change, by Henry Dallal (Henry Dallal Photography)
Silver: Locked Down, Locked Out: Why Prison Doesn’t Work and How We Can Do Better, by Maya Schenwar (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.)
Bronze: The Concrete Killing Fields: One Woman’s Battle to Break the Cycle of Homelessness, by Pat Morgan (Mile High Press)
45. Education I (Workbook / Resource)
Gold: The Essential Manual For Asperger Syndrome (ASD) in the Classroom, by Kathy Hoopmann (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)
Silver: A School Leader’s Guide to Standards-Based Grading, by Tammy Heflebower, Jan K. Hoegh, and Phil Warrick (Marzano Research)
Bronze: Identifying Critical Content: Classroom Techniques to Help Students Know What Is Important, by Deana Senn, Amber C. Rutherford, and Robert J. Marzano (Learning Sciences International)
46. Education II (Commentary / Theory)
Gold: Orsch…Cutting the Edge in Education: Lessons Learned From an Innovative Lab School, by Jackie Burt (Orsch LLC)
Silver: The Schooled Society: The Educational Transformation of Global Culture, by David P. Baker (Stanford University Press)
Bronze: The Next Digital Scholar: A Fresh Approach to the Common Core State Standards in Research and Writing, Edited by James P. Purdy and Randall McClure (Asis&t Monograph Series/ Information Today, Inc)
47. Environment/Ecology/Nature
Gold: The Sky and Earth Touched Me, by Joseph Bharat Cornell (Crystal Clarity Publishers)
Silver: Hives in the City: Keeping Honey Bees Alive in an Urban World, by Alison Gillespie (Croydon Hill)
Bronze (tie): Seeing Butterflies: New Perspectives on Colour, Patterns & Mimicry, by Philip Howse (New Architecture Group Ltd)
Rainforest in a City, by Chua Ee Kiam (Simply Green)
48. Erotica
Gold: Sex Still Spoken Here, by Carol Queen, Jen Cross, Amy Butcher (Center for Sex & Culture Press)
Silver: The Big Book of Domination, Edited by D.L. King (Cleis Press)
Bronze: Wet Bliss, by Niki Stone (SB Associates Press)
49. Finance/Investment/Economics
Gold: Money Matters Made Simple, by Anne M Schwab, MBA, CFP (CreateSpace)
Silver: Homer Economicus: The Simpsons and Economics, Edited by Joshua Hall (Stanford University Press)
Bronze (tie): FUND-aMentals, by Dian Griesel, Ph.D (Business School of Happiness)
Fall 2014 Economic Outlook, by Premier, Inc.
50. Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans - Non-Fiction
Gold: Alice + Freda Forever: A Murder in Memphis, by Alexis Coe (Zest Books)
Silver: A Family by Any Other Name: Exploring Queer Relationships, Edited by Bruce Gillespie (Touchwood Editions)
Bronze: Changing Lives, Making History: Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, by Rabbi Ayelet S. Cohen (Congregation Beit Simchat Torah)
51. Gift / Specialty / Journal
Gold: Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros, designed by Matthew Reinhart; illustrated by Michael Komarck (Insight Editions)
Silver: Field Notes from an Adventurous Life: A Guided Journal (Atria Senior Living)
Bronze: Living Autism Day-by-Day, by Pamela Bryson-Weaver (Freedom Abound Inc.)
52. Holiday
Gold: The Magic Christmas Key, by Leann Smith; illustrated by Kip Richmond (Pine Tree Publishing)
Silver: The Bunny with the Basket & The Golden Egg, by Jennifer Diehl, Shauna Murray & Lisa Rettino; illustrated by Brian Meulener (Just Three Chicks)
Bronze: Day of the Dead, by Pam Bacich (Bacich Enterprises)
53. Health/Medicine/Nutrition
Gold: Surviving Cancer: Our Voices & Choices, by Marion R. Behr (WWH Press LLC)
Silver: Making Sense of Intersex: Changing Ethical Perspectives in Biomedicine, by Ellen K. Feder (Indiana University Press)
Bronze: Surviving Cancerland: Intuitive Aspects of Healing, by Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos (Cypress House)
54. Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Humor/Cartoon History (U.S.)
Gold: Monster Elementary, by Nicholas Doan, Caanan Grall, Lee-Roy Lahey, Cal Moray, Josh Gowdy, Christopher Tupa, Patty Variboa, Daniele Serra, and Bobby Timony (Broken Oar Productions)
Silver: JJ’s Science Adventure: Magnets, by Aurelia (Harvest Edutainment Pte. Ltd)
Bronze: Strike Four! The Crankshaft Baseball Book, by Tom Batiuk & Chuck Ayers (Black Squirrel Books / Kent State University Press)
55. Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Drama/Documentary
Gold: Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir, by Liz Prince (Zest Books)
Silver: Hatter M: Love of Wonder, by Frank Beddor (Automatic Publishing)
Bronze: Patriot-1, by Kevin Powers (Timeless Journey Comics, LLC (TJ Comics)
56. History (U.S.)
Gold (tie): America’s First Crisis: The War of 1812, by Robert P. Watson (State University of New York Press)
Propaganda 1776: Secrets, Leaks, and Revolutionary Communications in Early America, by Russ Castronovo (Oxford University Press)
Silver (tie): American Boys: The True Story of the Lost 74 of the Vietnam War, by Louise Esola (Pennway Books)
Shot Down: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth, by Steve Snyder (Sea Breeze Publishing LLC)
Bronze: The Pedestriennes: America’s Forgotten Superstars, by Harry Hall (Dog Ear Publishing)
57. History (World)
Gold: Days of Revolution: Political Unrest in an Iranian Village, by Mary Elaine Hegland (Stanford University Press)
Silver (tie): The Clandestine History of the Kovno Jewish Ghetto Police, by Samuel Schalkowsky (Indiana University Press)
The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across the Ancient World, by Adrienne Mayor (Princeton University Press)
Bronze (tie): Cowardice: A Brief History, by Chris Walsh (Princeton University Press)
Saving Mona Lisa: The Battle to Protect the Louvre and its Treasures During World War II, by Gerri Chanel (Heliopa Press)
58. Home & Garden
Gold: Crafting a Colorful Home, by Kristin Nicholas (Roost Books / Shambhala)
Silver: Which Fork Do I Use?, by Rosemarie Burns and Linda Reed (Manners Simply)
Bronze: Downsize With Style, by Bettina Deda (Bettina Deda Colour Design)
59. How-To (Crafts / Hobby / Industrial Arts)
Gold: Simply Modern: Contemporary Designs for Hooked Rugs, by Deanne Fitzpatrick (Nimbus Publishing)
Silver: Embellishments: Constructing Victorian Detail, by Astrida Schaeffer (Great Life Press)
Bronze: Make & Give, by Steph Hung & Erin Jang (Roost Books / Shambhala)
60. Humor
Gold: Goat Lips: Tales of a Lapsed Englishman, by Matthew Taylor (Merry Dissonance Press LLC)
Silver (tie): Badass Civil War Beards, by Anna Hider and Julia Hider (John F. Blair, Publisher)
Blue Balls: Parenting is Dirty Business, by Sunshine Sweet (Potty Talk, LLC)
Bronze: Mommy Had a Little Flask, by A.K. Turner (Fever Streak Press)
61. Inspirational/Spiritual
Gold (tie): The Buddha Walks into the Office: A Guide to Livelihood For a New Generation, by Lodro Rinzler (Shambhala)
A Small Amount of Courage, by Karen Divine (Sheridan Books)
Silver (tie): Letting the Upside In, by Lori Cash Richards (The Winford Group)
The Grass is Greener Right Here, by David Ault (Run To The Roar Publishing)
Bronze: Yoga and Body Image, by Melanie Klein and Anna Guest-Jelley (Llewellyn Publications)
62. New Age (Mind-Body-Spirit)
Gold: The Spiritual Power of Empathy, by Cyndi Dale (Llewellyn Publications)
Silver: Going Om: Real-Life Stories On and Off the Yoga Mat, Edited by Melissa Carroll (Viva Editions)
Bronze: Qigong Through the Seasons, by Ronald H. Davis (Singing Dragon)
63. Parenting
Gold (tie): The Mommy Mob, by Rebecca Eckler (Barlow Book Publishing Inc.)
Mama Gone Geek, by Lynn Brunelle (Roost Books / Shambhala)
Silver: Rescuing Julia Twice, by Tina Traster (Chicago Review Press)
Bronze: How to Expect What You’re Not Expecting: Stories of Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Loss, Edited by Jessica Hiemstra and Lisa Martin-DeMoor (Touchwood Editions)
64. Poetry
Gold: Punch, by Ray McManus (Hub City Press)
Silver: Practicing the Truth, by Ellery Akers (Autumn House)
Bronze: Streaming, by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke (Coffee House Press)
65. Popular Culture
Gold (tie): DC Comics Super-Villains: The Complete Visual History, by Daniel Wallace (Insight Editions)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History, by Andrew Farago (Insight Editions)
Silver: Stealing All Transmissions: A Secret History of the Clash, by Randal Doane (PM Press)
Bronze (tie): Boomers 101: The Definitive Collection (AARP)
Sideway Glances: Vernacular Mexican Lettering, by Lorena Howard-Sheridan (Peccata Minuta)
66. Psychology/Mental Health Reference
Gold: Making Peace with Suicide, by Adele Ryan McDowell (White Flower Press)
Silver: Understanding Girls with ADHD, by Kathleen Nadeau (Advantage Books LLC)
Bronze: Four Seasons of Recovery for Parents of Alcoholics and Addicts, by Michael J. Speakman, L.I.S.A.C. (Rite of Passage Press)
67. Sports/Fitness/Recreation
Gold (tie): Blue Marlin Magic, by Steve Campbell (Wild River Press)
The Art of Adventure: Outdoor Sports from Sea to Summit, by Ian Shive and Jon-Paul Harrison (Insight Editions)
Silver: Still Running, by Nathaniel Northington (iUniverse)
Bronze: After the Wind, by Lou Kasischke (Good Hart Publishing)
68. Reference
Gold: Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.: Milestones Plays of Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem, an Annotated Repertoire, by Amnon Kabatchnik (Rowman & Littlefield)
Silver: The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four, by Kenneth Womack (ABC-CLIO)
Bronze: Clothing & Textiles of the Fur Trade, by James A. Hanson (Museum of the Fur Trade)
69. Religion (Eastern / Western)
Gold: Who Killed Jesus?, by Margaret Del Debbio (Mennonite Press)
Silver (tie): Qur’an in Conversation, by Michael Birkel (Baylor University Press)
The Buddha from Babylon, by Harvey Kraft (Select Books Inc.)
Bronze: The Unfinished Tower of Babel: Divine Intervention and Social Change, by Robert L. Bonn, PhD (Sistina Street Press)
70. Science
Gold: Nanoscience: Giants of the Infinitesimal, by Peter Forbes & Tom Grimsey (Papadakis Publisher)
Silver: The Biggest Picture, by Wendy Curtis (GeoBookStudio)
Bronze: Sex, Love and DNA, by Peter Schattner (Olingo Press)
71. Self Help
Gold: EDGY Conversations: How Ordinary People Can Achieve Outrageous Success, by Dan Waldschmidt (Next Century Publishing)
Silver (tie): High on Low: Harnessing the Power of Unhappiness, by Wilhelm Schmid (Upper West Side Philosophers, Inc.)
The Little Book of DO!, by Kel Landis III (Somnium Factorem LLC)
Bronze: Wheelchair Wisdom: Awaken Your Spirit Through Adversity, by Linda Noble Topf (iUniverse/Berrett-Koehler)
72. Sexuality/Relationships
Gold: Loves Me…Not: How to Survive (and Thrive!) in the Face of Unrequited Love, by Samara O’Shea (February Books)
Silver: The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality, by Julie Sondra Decker (Carrel Books)
Bronze: The Mystery of the Undercover Clitoris: Orgasmic Fingertip Touching Every Woman Craves, by Dr. Sadie Allison (Tickle Kitty Press)
73. Transportation (Automotive/Aviation/Railroad)
Gold: Blue Grass Airport: An American Aviation Story, by Blue Grass Airport and Fran Taylor (West High)
Silver: Riverside International Raceway, by Pete Lyons (Spry Publishing)
Bronze: Beast, by Jade Gurss (Octane Press)
74. Travel Essay
Gold: Rick Steves Travel As a Political Act, 2nd Edition, by Rick Steves (Avalon Travel)
Silver: An Innocent Abroad: Life-Changing Trips from 35 Great Writers, Edited by Don George (Lonely Planet Publications )
Bronze: The Bicycle Diaries: My 21,000-Mile Ride for the Climate, by David Kroodsma (RFC Press)
75. Travel Guidebook
Gold: Napoli Unplugged Guide to Naples, by Bonnie Alberts, Barbara Zaragoza, Penny Ewles-Bergeron, Erin Romano (Partenope Press)
Silver: USA’s Best Trips, by Lonely Planet (Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd)
Bronze: Moon Cuba, 6th Edition, by Christopher P. Baker (Avalon Travel)
76. Women’s Issues
Gold: Good Catholics: The Battle over Abortion in the Catholic Church, by Patricia Miller (University of California Press)
Silver: Valerie Solanas: The Defiant Life of the Woman Who Wrote SCUM (and Shot Andy Warhol), by Breanne Fahs (The Feminist Press /City University of New York)
Bronze: Warrior Women: Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star, by Lisa Funnell (State University of New York Press)
77. Writing/Publishing
Gold: The Novel-Maker’s Handbook, by Diane O’Connell (Station Square Media)
Silver: The Seven Step Guide to Authorpreneurship, by Rochelle Carter (EverFaith Press)
Bronze: The Author’s Guide to Marketing, by Beth Jusino (Sharper Words Press)
78. Best Book/Author/ Publisher Website
Gold: www.chefgorji.com
Silver: www.jeangill.com
Bronze: www.adventuresofnicky.com
2015 Regional Winners and Finalists
These regional “IPPYs” were designed to spotlight the best regional titles from around North America and Australia/New Zealand. Books were judged alongside those for and about their regions only, based on their quality and regional significance.
U.S. North-East - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: The Truth and Legend of Lily Martindale: An Adirondack Novel, by Mary Sanders Shartle (Excelsior Editions)
Silver: A Matter of Mercy, by Lynne Hugo (Blank Slate Press)
Bronze: Summers in Bayville: A Fairchild Family Novel, by Louise Gaylord (Little Moose Press)
U.S. North-East - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: The Heights: An Illustrated History of Boston College, 1863-2013, by Ben Birnbaum and Seth Meehan; Photography by Gary Wayne Gilbert (Linden Lane Press at Boston College)
Silver: Fanny Seward: A Life, by Trudy Krisher (Syracuse University Press)
Bronze (tie): Seasons in a Vermont Vineyard: The Shelburne Vineyard Cookbook, by Lisa Cassell-Arms (Lisa Cassell-Arms and Shelburne Vineyard)
Seacoast: The Seasons of New Hampshire, by Bob McGrath (Bob McGrath Photographer LLC)
Mid-Atlantic - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: American Sycamore, by Karen Fielding (Seren / Poetry Wales Press Ltd)
Silver: Missing You in Atlantic City: A Meg Daniels Mystery, by Jane Kelly (Plexus Publishing, Inc.)
Bronze: The Observer, by Natalie Wexler (Ingram Spark / Kalorama Press)
Mid-Atlantic - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: Winnie Davis: Daughter of the Lost Cause, by Heath Hardage Lee (Potomac Books / University of Nebraska Press)
Silver (tie): Hail Specimen of Female Art! New Jersey Schoolgirl Needlework, 1726-1860, by Morven Museum & Garden (Historic Morven Inc.)
A Year in Rock Creek Park: The Wild, Wooded Heart of Washington, D.C., by Melanie Choukas-Bradley (George F. Thompson Publishing)
Bronze: Fire Call!: Sounding the Alarm to Save Our Vanishing Volunteers, by George DeVault (Jump Seat Press)
South-East - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: The Ice Garden, by Moira Crone (Carolina Wren Press)
Silver: The Whiskey Baron, by John Sealy (Hub City Press)
Bronze: Kiss of Salvation, by Waights Taylor Jr. (McCaa Books)
South-East - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: Rice & Ducks: The Surprising Convergence that Saved the Carolina Lowcountry, by Virginia Christian Beach (Evening Post Books)
Silver: Actors Theatre of Louisville: Fifty Years, by Actors Theatre of Louisville (Butler Books)
Bronze (tie): Trapped in Key West-On the Back Side of a Tourist Island, by Peter M. Bacle (Mangrove Publishing LLC)
The Wild Horse Dilemma: Conflicts and Controversies of the Atlantic Coast Herds, by Bonnie U. Gruenberg (Synclitic Media LLC)
South - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: You Don’t Know Me, by James Nolan (University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press)
Silver: Armageddon,Texas: Book 3 of The Messiah Trilogy, by Tommy Zurhellen (Atticus Books)
Bronze: A Mississippi Whisper, by Paul H. Yarbrough (Wido Publishing)
South - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: South, What it Means to be Here in Heart or in Spirit, by Wendy Nilsen Pollitzer (Lydia Inglett Ltd. Publishing)
Silver (tie): Deep in the Art of Texas: A Century of Paintings and Drawings, by Michael W. Duty (TCU Press)
Texas Quail Rigs, by A Lokey (Radius Books)
Bronze (tie): The Irish in New Orleans, by Laura D. Kelley (University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press)
Luxury, Inequity and Yellow Fever, by Kerri McCaffety (Hermann-Grima+Gallier Historic Houses)
Great Lakes - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: North of the Tension Line, by J.F. Riordan (Beaufort Books)
Silver: Eight Mile High, by Jim Ray Daniels (Michigan State University Press)
Bronze (tie): Outside In, by Doug Cooper (Greenleaf Book Group Press)
Jell-O and Jackie O, by T.D. Arkenberg (Outskirts Press
Great Lakes - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold (tie): Hoosiers: A New History of Indiana, by James H. Madison (Indiana University Press)
Canvas Detroit, by Julie Pincus and Nichole Christian (Wayne State University Press)
Silver: Pabst Farms: The History of a Model Farm, by John C. Eastberg (Pabst Farms, Inc. and Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, Inc.)
Bronze: Under the Radar: The First 50, by Tom Daldin, Jim Edelman and Eric Tremonti (Scribe Publishing Company)
Mid-West - Best Regional Fiction
Gold (tie): Earth, by Caroline Allen (Booktrope)
Hannah, Delivered, by Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew (Koehlerbooks)
Silver: Listener in the Snow, by Tim Jollymore (Finns Way Books)
Bronze: The Silver Promise, by William C. Walker (CreateSpace)
Mid-West - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: Love Letters from Mount Rushmore: The Story of a Monument, a Marriage, and a Moment in History, by Richard Cerasani (South Dakota State Historical Society Press)
Silver (tie): Necessary Evil: Settling Missouri with a Rope and a Gun, by Joe Johnston (Missouri History Museum)
The Early Chickasaw Homeland: Origins, Boundaries & Society, by John P. Dyson (Chickasaw Press)
Bronze: A Country Doctor Goes to War, by Tamara Thayer (Minnesota Heritage Publishing)
West-Mountain - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: Tom Connor’s Gift, by David Allan Cates (Bangtail Press)
Silver: Seeing America, by Nancy Crocker (Medallion Press)
Bronze: A Bowl Full of Nails, by Charles Degelman (Harvard Square Editions)
West-Mountain - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold (tie): 52 Rivers: A Woman’s Fly-Fishing Journey, by Shelley Walchak (52 Rivers Publishing)
Rocky Mountain National Park: The First 100 Years, by Mary Taylor Young (Farcountry Press)
Silver: In Search of Nampeyo: The Early Years, 1875-1892, by Steve Elmore (Spirit Bird Press)
Bronze: The Ancient Southwest: A Guide to Archaeological Sites, by Gregory McNamee; Photography by Larry Lindahl (Rio Nuevo Publishers)
West-Pacific - Best Regional Fiction
Gold (tie): Sex, Rain, and Cold Fusion: The Physics of Modern Love, by A.R. Taylor (Ridgecrest House)
In the Shadow of Lies: A Mystery Novel, by M. A. Adler (She Writes Press)
Silver: Rule of Capture, by Ona Russell (Sunstone Press)
Bronze: Tears and Trombones, by Nanci Lee Woody (Sand Hill Review Press)
West-Pacific - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: The Haight: Love, Rock, and Revolution, by Joel Selvin; Photographed by Jim Marshall (Insight Editions)
Silver (tie): Forbidden City, USA: Chinese American Nightclubs, 1936-1970, by Arthur Dong (DeepFocus Productions, Inc.)
Down to Earth: A Seasonal Tour of Sustainable Winegrowing in California, by Janet Fletcher and George Rose (California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance)
Bronze (tie): This is Oakland: A Guide to the City’s Most Interesting Places, by Melissa Davis (Acorn Press)
Mendonoma Sightings Throughout The Year, by Jeanne A. Jackson; photographed by Craig Tooley (Mendonoma Sightings Publishing)
Canada-East - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: And to Say Hello: Short Stories, by Scott Randall (DC Books)
Silver: Deer Eyes, by Sonia Day (Belwood Publishing)
Bronze: Every Minute is a Suicide: Stories, by Bruce McDougall (The Porcupine’s Quill)
Canada-East - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: Dreaming in Indian, Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale (Annick Press)
Silver (tie): The Seasons, by Bruce Meyer (The Porcupine’s Quill)
Escape From the Bedside, by Dr. Sharon Baltman (CreateSpace)
Bronze: Scapegoat, the Extraordinary Legal Proceedings Following the 1917 Halifax Explosion, by Joel Zemel (New World Publishing)
Canada-West - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: Bitter Lake, by Marika Deliyannides (The Porcupine’s Quill)
Silver: Burrard Inlet, by Tyler Keevil (Parthian)
Bronze: Ride the Lightning, by Dietrich Kalteis (ECW Press, Ltd.)
Canada-West - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: Wood Storms, Wild Canvas: The Art of Godfrey Stephens, by Gurdeep Stephens (D & I Enterprises, Inc.)
Silver: The McDonalds: The Lives and Legends of a Kaska Dena Family, Allison Tubman (Backyard Productions)
Bronze (tie): From Miles to Millions, by Bill Grenier (Pagebrook Publishing, Inc.)
That Men & Women May Work In Safety: The First 100 Years of the Mine Safety Appliances Company, by Paul McLaughlin (Echo Memoirs Ltd)
Europe - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: The Medici Boy, by John L’Heureux (Astor+Blue Editions)
Silver: Thores-Cross, by Karen Perkins (LionheART Publishing)
Bronze: Botticelli’s Bastard, by Stephen Maitland-Lewis (Glyd-Evans Press)
Europe - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris at Night, by Gary Zuercher (Marcorp Editions)
Silver (tie): A French Renaissance? by Eamon O’Hara (Orpen Press)
Learning from las Cuencas, by Sara Lopez Arraiza & Nacho Ruiz Allen (Self Published)
Bronze: Fields of War: Battle of Normandy, by Robert J Mueller (French Battlefields)
Australia/New Zealand - Best Regional Fiction
Gold: The Book of Names: Stories, by Royce Leville (Rippple Books)
Silver: Poison Bay, by Belinda Pollard (Small Blue Dog Publishing)
Bronze: Jennifer Shot - Shot Through the Heart, by Patricia Kristensen (Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Co.)
Australia/New Zealand - Best Regional Non-Fiction
Gold: The Melbourne Book: A History of Now, by Maree Coote (Melbournestyle Books)
Silver (tie): Madness Made Me: A Memoir, by Mary O’Hagan (Open Box)
Off to War: WW1 1914-1918, by John Dowson (Aussiana Books)
Bronze: French Designs on Colonial New South Wales, by Jean Fornasiero & John West-Sooby (Friends of the State Library of South Australia Inc.)
2015 E-Book Winners
E1. Best Adult Fiction E-Book
Gold: Einstein’s Beach House, by Jacob M Appel (Pressgang)
Silver (tie): Blue Sun, Yellow Sky, by Jamie Jo Hoang (Hey Jamie)
The Exit Man, by Greg Levin (White Rock Press)
Bronze: The Five Step Plan, by Elizabeth Welsford (The Wild Rose Press)
E2. Best Romance/Erotica E-Book
Gold: Winter Rain, edited by Sarah Frantz (Pink Kayak Press)
Silver: Love and Lust in the Tropics, by Derrick West (Orange Rose Press)
Bronze: Tabor’s Trinket, by Janet Lane (Dreaming Tree Publishing)
E3. Best Mystery/Thriller E-Book
Gold: The Sculptor, by Gina Fava (Steepo Press)
Silver: Twisted Vine, by Toby Neal (Self-Published)
Bronze (tie): All Good Deeds, by Stacy Green (Twisted Minds Press)
Last Words, by Rich Zahradnik (Camel Press)
E4. Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror E-Book
Gold: Beowulf: A Bloody Calculus, by Milo Behr (East India Press)
Silver (tie): Lex Talionis, by R.S.A. Garcia (Dragonwell Publishing)
Defiance, by Lucas Bale (Dark Matter Publishing)
Bronze (tie): Portals, Passages & Pathways Book 1: In the Land of Magnanthia, by B.R. Maul (CreateSpace)
Path Unchosen, by Kim Cleary (Raven’s Lair Publishing)
E5. Best Adult Non-Fiction Personal E-Book
Gold: I Hate Pinatas: Surviving Life's Unexpected Surprises, by Heather Maloy (Self-Published)
Silver: Hit Back, Hit Hard, and Dream On: A Story of Moving Forward with Your Dreams, by Nancy Karlson Bridge (Self-Published)
Bronze: Eyes are Watching, Ears are Listening: Growing up in Nazi Germany 1933-1946, by Eycke Strickland (Self-Published)
E6. Best Adult Non-Fiction Informational E-Book
Gold: Becoming a Happy Family: Pathways to the Family Soul, by Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski (Book Ends Publishing)
Silver: The Otherness Factor: Co-Creating and Sustaining Intentional Relationships, by Kathleen Hall and Bonner Hardegree (Collaborative Options)
Bronze (tie): F*#k the Double Standard in Dating, by Heather Jones (Key Ring Enterprises)
Get Hired! 20 Steps to Your First Professional Job - from Building Your Resume to Proving You're the Person to Hire, by Mara Braverman (Succeed at Work Press)
E7. Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction E-Book
Gold: Legacy, by Ellery Kane (Balboa Press)
Silver (tie): Welfy Q. Deederhoth: Meat Purveyor, World Savior, by Eric Laster (Opsimath Press)
The Birr Elixir, by Jo Sparkes (Oscar Press)
Bronze (tie): Monster Squad: The Iron Golem, by Christian Page (New Generation Publishing)
Libellus de Numeros, by Jim West (Self-Published)
E8. Best Children's Illustrated E-Book
Gold: Imagine, by Emma Mactaggart; illustrated by Ester De Boer (Boogie Books)
Silver: Chicken Cha Cha: I Don’t Want to Wash My Hands! by Anna Phang; illustrated by Debbi P. (Apricott)
Bronze (tie): Milo & Ze: A Tale of Friendship, by Mark Watson; illustrated by Pablo Michau (CreateSpace)
The Squid, the Vibrio & the Moon, by Alisa Wild, Aviva Reed & Gregory Crocetti (Scale Free Network)
E9. Best Regional E-Book - East of the Mississippi
Gold: In the Land of Shiva: A Memoir, by James O’Hara (Leandros Publishing)
Silver: Stealing From the Bear, by Ray Villis (Joa Publishing)
Bronze: The Closing, by Ken Oder (Skipjack Publishing)
E10. Best Regional E-Book - West of the Mississippi
Gold: Write, If You Live to Get There, by Mary K. Sonntag and Mary Jo Sonntag (Word Association Publishers)
Silver: The Bird Book, by Patsy Levang (Self-Published)
Bronze: Jupiter and Gilgamesh, by Scott Archer Jones (Southern Yellow Pine Publishing)
