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. Novella/Short Fiction

13. Young Adult Fiction – General
14. Young Adult Fiction – Fantasy
15. Fantasy
16. Science Fiction
17. LGBTQ+ Fiction

18. Historical Fiction – Romance

19. Historical Fiction
20. Military/Wartime Fiction

21. Multicultural Fiction

22. Multicultural Fiction – Juv-Young Adult

23. Horror

24. Mystery
25. Suspense/Thriller

26. Political Thriller

27. Romance

28. Spicy Romance

29. Visionary/New Age Fiction

30. Religious Fiction

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. Middle Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12)

37. Juvenile-Young Adult Non-Fiction

38. Multicultural Non-Fiction – Adult

39. Multicultural Non-Fiction – Juv-Young Adult

40. Essay

41. Creative Non-Fiction

42. Autobiography/Memoir I (Celebrity/Political/Romance)

43. Autobiography/Memoir II (Coming of Age/Family Legacy)

44. Autobiography/Memoir III (Personal Struggle/Health Issues)

45. Autobiography/Memoir IV (Inspirational/Spiritual)Autobiography/Memoir IV (Inspirational/Spiritual)

46. Biography

47. Business/Career/Sales

48. Grief, Death & Dying

49. Cookbooks

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 (Military/Wartime)

64. Inspirational/Spiritual
65. New Age / Mind-Body-Spirit
66. Parenting
67. Popular Culture
68. Psychology/Mental Health
69. Sports/Fitness/Recreation

70. True Crime

71. Religion (Eastern/Western)
72. Science
73. Self Help

74. Relationships

75. Transportation (Auto/Aviation/Railroad)
76. Travel – Essay
77. Travel – Guidebook
78. Women’s Issues

79. Writing/Publishing

80. Animals/Pets

81. Cover Design – Fiction

82. Cover Design – Non-Fiction

83. Cover Design – Children’s Fiction

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 – Mystery/Thriller

91. Audiobook – Romance

92. Audiobook – Fiction – Multicast

93. Audiobook – Juvenile/Young Adult

94. Audiobook – N-F – Personal

95. 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

Asia/Australia/New Zealand-Aotearoa/Pacific Rim

Middle East and Africa

Plains

West-Mountain

West-Pacific

Canada–East

Canada-West

Europe & Russia

Oceania

Central America, South America, and Puerto Rico

ebook categories

E1. Best Adult Fiction eBook

E2. Best Romance 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 2025-2027, 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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