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For twelve years the Independent Publisher Book Awards have been conducted annually to honor the year's best independently published titles. The "IPPY" Awards reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing. Independent spirit and expertise comes from publishers of all sizes and budgets, and books are judged with that in mind. All independent, university, small press, and self-publishers who produce books intended for the North American market are eligible to enter titles copyrighted in 2008 or released in 2009. Independent authors using print-on-demand publishing services are welcome to enter their books themselves.

The Independent Publisher Book Awards were conceived as a broad-based, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry, and are open to authors and publishers worldwide who produce books written in English and intended for the North American market. We define “independent” as 1) independently owned and operated; 2) operated by a foundation or university; or 3) longtime independents that became incorporated but operate autonomously and publish fewer than 50 titles a year.

National entries will be accepted in 65 categories this year. From books about photography and architecture to the best of popular culture and health, the "IPPYs" strive to recognize excellence in independent publishing. Submission to more than one category is acceptable. We ask that you submit one copy of the title per category and per region. All books entered within one of these 65 subject topics are also under consideration to become one of ten Outstanding Books of the Year. For 24 years our mission at Independent Publisher Magazine has been to recognize and encourage the work of publishers who exhibit 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, our environment, and our collective spirit. Categories include Most Original Concept, Freedom Fighter of the Year, and Most Life-Changing. No extra effort is needed to enter the chance to win one of these distinguished titles.

Books with a regional focus are given a special opportunity for recognition. Participants have the option of entering their books into a regional contest, including eight regions in the U.S. and two in Canada. Winners of the Regional Awards appeal to a regional audience, are typically set within that region, and deal with local events, characters, or topics.

Entering your titles in awards programs does take time, money, and effort, but the possible pay-offs include financial reward, personal satisfaction, and prestige. Awards are a great morale boost for all those involved, and they influence reviewers and buyers. Winner, Finalists, and Honorable Mentions appear for an entire year at www.IndependentPublisher.com, and are featured prominently in our monthly newsletter, which goes out monthly to over 7,000 subscribers worldwide, many of whom are editors, agents, buyers, booksellers and librarians. A 1999 Cookbook finalist was discovered this way, and 187,000 copies were sold to a pharmaceutical company.

$75 per title per category until Nov. 15
$80 per category Nov. 16 until Jan. 17
$85 per category Jan. 18 until March 21
Add Regional Entry ( per title, per category): $45
Regional Entry Only - Same as National rates

For more information and a complete listing of national and regional categories, please visit our website. Also, read about some of the winning novels by viewing our blog.

The Axiom Business Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary business books and their creators, with the understanding that businesspeople are a very well-read and well-informed segment of the population, eager to learn about great new books that will inspire and inform them and help them improve their careers and businesses.

The new awards program will recognize books in a wide range of categories, 26 in all, from Salesmanship to Personal Finance and Entrepreneurship to Philanthropy. The list includes categories of books intended for professionals (International Business/Globalization) and for general consumers (Retirement Planning), books about businesspeople (Memoir/Biography), and books meant to motivate and entertain (Business Fable—Fiction).

Authors and publishers throughout North America and overseas publishers who publish English-language books with a 2007 or 2008 copyright or that were released in 2007 or 2008 intended for the American market may enter. Print-On-Demand and other independent authors are welcome to enter their books themselves. Submission for more than one category is acceptable. Entrants are asked to please submit TWO copies of the title per category.

Judging will be based on content, originality, design, and production quality, with emphasis on innovation and creativity. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, design, reviewing, bookselling, and library science. The Axiom Awards are 100% dedicated to identifying the best business books published each year for the North American market. The Axiom Awards are the only U.S.-based award contest focused solely on business books. Winner, Finalists, and Honorable Mentions appear for an entire year at www.axiomawards.com. Winners will also be featured in www.independentpublisher.com and highlighted prominently in our monthly newsletter, which goes out to more than 20,000 subscribers worldwide, many of whom are agents, buyers, and librarians.

Entry fees are based on a per-title, per-category basis. Early-bird entry fees are available offering discounts to those who register during our early-bird period. The final registration deadline is November 24th.

May 15, 2008 – July 15, 2008: $95 per title, per category
July 16, 2008 – Sept. 15, 2008: $115 per title, per category
Sept.16, 2008 – Nov. 24, 2008: $135 per title, per category

More information and a complete listing of award categories is available online on the official Axiom Business Book Awards website. Also visit our blog.

Writing and publishing books that teach and inspire our children is an extremely important task, and these awards are conducted in appreciation of those efforts. The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading. This new awards program will recognize books in a wide range of children’s publishing categories for children of all ages. Also included will be special awards for Best First-time Author and Best Children’s Book Illustrator, and awards for books that address children’s health and social issues.

As modern society has gotten more complex, and growing up has become more complicated, children’s book authors and publishers have risen to the occasion, creating books that not only celebrate the joys of childhood, but also help families deal with its challenges. The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards will recognize and reward the best of these books and bring them to the attention of parents, booksellers, librarians – and children.

Authors, illustrators, publishers and self-publishers of children’s books, written in English and intended for the North American market are allowed to enter. Print-On-Demand and other independent authors are welcome to enter their books themselves. Books that are published with a 2007 or 2008 copyright or that were released in 2007 or 2008 are eligible. Submission of galley copies is permissible if finished copies are not yet available.

Submission for more than one category is acceptable. Judging will be based on content, originality, design, and production quality, with emphasis on innovation and social relevance. Our judging panel includes experts from the fields of editing, design, reviewing, bookselling and library.

Further details and an online entry form can be found online at www.moonbeamawards.com. You can learn more about past Moonbeam winners by reading our blog.

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