PORTLAND, OR – August 14, 2025 – The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) is now accepting submissions for its 38th annual IBPA Book Award program, a premier competition celebrating excellence in independent publishing. Authors and publishers with books released in 2025 are encouraged to enter for a chance to be recognized as a winner.

The IBPA Book Awards are designed to honor the diverse and vibrant voices within the independent publishing community. With 60 unique categories, the program ensures that every book, regardless of its niche or audience, has an opportunity to be celebrated. Categories span a wide range of genres and topics, including politics, history, parenting, cookbooks, sports, animals, fiction, and children’s books.

In a move to further champion community-centered publishing, the IBPA has introduced several new categories this year. These additions are intended to highlight works from and for AAPI Communities, Black/African American Communities, Disabled Communities, First Nations/Indigenous Communities, Latina/o/e Communities, LGBTQIA2+ Communities, and Neurodivergent Communities.

“Indie publishers serve diverse audiences and niche communities—not just the mainstream—and we celebrate that by offering unique categories to ensure every book has a chance to shine,” a statement from the IBPA noted. “Whether your title speaks to a specific cultural experience or a specialized subject, there’s a category that fits.”

A key feature of the IBPA Book Award program is the constructive feedback provided to every entrant. Participants will receive the actual judging forms, offering valuable insights on their submissions.

Submission deadlines for the 2025 awards are as follows:

  • September 30, 2025: For books published between January and September 2025.

  • December 15, 2025: For books published between October and December 2025.

Winners will be celebrated at a gala dinner and award ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Portland, Oregon.

The comprehensive list of award categories includes:

Print Book Awards: AAPI Communities, Animals & Pets, Art & Photography, Biography & Autobiography, Black/African American Communities, Body, Mind, & Spirit, Business & Career, Coffee Table Book, Cookbook, Disabled Communities, Education, Fiction (General, Historical, Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy), First Nations/Indigenous Communities, Gift Book, Graphic Novels, Health & Fitness, History, Humor, Inspirational, Latina/o/e Communities, LGBTQIA2+ Communities, Memoir, Nature & Environment, Neurodivergent Communities, Parenting & Family, Poetry, Political & Current Events, Professional & Technical, Psychology, Reference, Regional, Religion, Self-Help, Sports & Recreation, and Travel.

Children’s Book Awards: Children’s Picture Book (0–3 years), Children’s Picture Book (4–7 years), Middle Grade: Fiction (8–12 years), Young Adult: Fiction (13–18 years), and Middle Grade/Young Adult: Nonfiction (8–18 years).

Design Awards: Cover Design (Fiction, Nonfiction, Large Format, Children’s/Young Adult) and Interior Design (General, Children’s/Young Adult).

Audiobook Awards: Audiobook (Fiction, Nonfiction, Children’s/Young Adult).

Best New Voice Awards: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Children’s/Young Adult for the first book by a new author.

Bill Fisher Awards: Best First Book by a publisher in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Children’s/Young Adult.

For a complete list of categories and to download the entry form, interested parties are encouraged to visit the IBPA website.

About the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA):
The Independent Book Publishers Association is a not-for-profit membership organization serving and leading the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success.