Next Generation Indie Book Awards

ねくすとじぇねれーしょんいんでぃーぶっくあわーず

An international literary award program that recognizes outstanding independently published works by independent authors and publishers (70 categories total).

Independent/Indie publishingSelf-published booksSmall pressUniversity pressE-book publishersFictionNonfictionChildren'sPoetry80+ categories (various genres)

Established: 2007
Organizer: Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (Organizer); Allen O'Shea Literary Agency (Co-founder/Sponsor)
Category: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Open
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around May
Status: Active

Description

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards was established in 2007 as an international literary award program that honors independent publications—such as those from self-publishers, small presses, university presses, and e-book publishers—across 70 categories. It is organized by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group in collaboration with the co-founders of Allen O'Shea Literary Agency. The judging panel consists of publishing industry experts, including literary agents, editors, publishing executives, book reviewers, writing teachers, and authors. Winners and finalists receive cash prizes ($100–$1,500) and medals; grand prize winners receive a trophy; and top entries in each category may be considered for review by agents for representation. Winners are announced annually during BookExpo America and honored at the event.

Prize

Main Prize: Cash prizes ($100–$1,500) and medals for winners and finalists; trophy for grand prize winners; top books may be reviewed by literary agents for possible representation.
Cash Prize: 1,500 USD

Medals for winners and finalists
Trophy for grand prize winners
Top books reviewed by literary agents for possible representation
Winners and finalists honored at a reception during BookExpo America
Listing in BookExpo America catalog and on official site

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Submission	Submissions accepted from indie authors and independent publishers (see official site for entry details).	—	Entries are received and checked for eligibility; submission details published on the official site.
Preliminary judging	Panels of publishing professionals including literary agents, editors, publishing executives, book reviewers, writing teachers, and authors.	—	Finalists are selected for each category.
Final judging	Senior panels of industry professionals and panel chairs review finalists to determine winners.	—	Winners selected for each category.
Announcement & ceremony		—	Winners are announced during BookExpo America; winners and finalists are honored at a reception and results are published in the BookExpo catalog and on the official website.

Submission

Judges Submissions accepted from indie authors and independent publishers (see official site for entry details).

Announcement Entries are received and checked for eligibility; submission details published on the official site.

Preliminary judging

Judges Panels of publishing professionals including literary agents, editors, publishing executives, book reviewers, writing teachers, and authors.

Announcement Finalists are selected for each category.

Final judging

Judges Senior panels of industry professionals and panel chairs review finalists to determine winners.

Announcement Winners selected for each category.

Announcement & ceremony

Judges

Announcement Winners are announced during BookExpo America; winners and finalists are honored at a reception and results are published in the BookExpo catalog and on the official website.

Criteria

Quality of writing and storytelling
Originality and creativity
Editing and production quality
Overall presentation (cover, layout, design)
Suitability for chosen category and market potential
Status as independently published/eligible publisher type

Application Tips

Dos

Check the entry requirements and category list on the official website in advance
Select the appropriate category that matches your work's genre
Thoroughly edit and proofread, and prepare the body text and metadata (title, bio, synopsis, etc.)
Enhance production quality such as cover and layout
Prepare application documents, file formats, and requirements according to the official website

Don''ts

Submit unedited, unfinished manuscripts
Apply to the wrong category (genre mismatch)
Ignore entry requirements or deadlines
Fail to meet submission format or requirements

From Judges

Prioritize polishing the quality of writing (storytelling, structure, prose expression)
Professional editing and proofreading greatly impact the evaluation
Production aspects like cover design and layout are also part of the judging
Choose categories carefully as it directly affects the results