2 0 2 0 / 2 021 NE XT GE NERATION
INDIE BOOK AWARDS
2020 Grand Prize Winners Shown
2_______________________ 020 WINNERS Information about the 2021 Awards www.IndieBookAwards.com
Call for Judges
for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards We are seeking leaders in the book publishing industry to join the prestigious group of judges for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest international awards program honoring exceptional independently published books. Judges for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards are all actively involved in the publishing industry. They include literary agents, editors, book reviewers, writing teachers, publishing executives, best-selling authors, and experts in the various areas of judging including book design. We welcome applications from individuals who have expertise with book publishers of any size. While many of our judges have worked with successful independent publishers, our judges also include individuals who have worked with major publishing houses such as Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins, Penguin Books, Bantam Books, Dell Publishing (part of the Random House Group), and Avon Books, among others. For more information about our judges please visit: www.indiebookawards.com/judges.php. Judges for the Next Generation Indie Book Awards are paid a modest honorarium. We have a particular need for judges who are skilled at identifying emerging talent in fiction. To put your name forward to become a judge, please email us at info@indiebookawards.com
Why We Hold The Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Why We Believe in The Next Generation Indie Book Awards, NGIBA Authors and publishers who compete in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards are serious about promoting their books. They aim to stand out from the crowd of millions of new titles, and millions of other books currently in print. Currently celebrating our 13th year and now entering our 14th year, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, NGIBA, is the largest International Book Awards Program recognizing and honoring the top independently published books of the year. Referred to in the media as the Sundance of the publishing world, the NGIBA draws leaders from both traditional and independent publishing to identify indie books deserving a wider audience. We look forward to celebrating our Winners and Finalists at an online Gala Awards Reception in June.
Message from Founder and Co-Chair, Catherine Goulet As we find ourselves faced with the difficult challenge of responding to COVID-19, we pause to think about all those affected by the virus, their loved ones, the dedicated frontline workers and all of the decision makers who are keeping our safety paramount. This pandemic has had a huge economic impact on our industry resulting in loss of income for many writers and publishers due to cancelled book fairs, signings, readings, events, and more. For many authors and publishers this crisis will not only result in loss of income but also lack of highly needed exposure. It is our greatest wish that the 2020 Winners and Finalists of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards will have the opportunity to raise their exposure through their placement in our awards program as they are recognized for having the top independently published books of the year. More than ever we find it important to not only shine a spotlight on the Winners and Finalists but to also celebrate these individuals at a time when celebration is truly needed within our world.
Catherine Goulet
We have been blessed to have so many self-published authors and independent publishers dedicate their time and energy to provide us with their fantastic book submissions, which have enriched our lives and will do so with future readers of their books. We thank you for your excellent submissions! Our judges were blown away by the caliber of books submitted this year, which made their jobs very difficult to select the top books. Although necessary, the decision to hold our awards ceremony online this year instead of at the Newberry Library in Chicago came with a heavy heart because there is nothing that brings us more joy than to spend an evening with the Winners and Finalists in person honoring them for their outstanding work. However, our intent is to still honor, recognize and celebrate all Winners and Finalists at our online awards ceremony in June and we hope you can make it. Thank you to my wonderful Co-Chair Cathy Teets of Headline Books and Co-Founder and Literary Agent Marilyn Allen. It is such a pleasure to work with these wise, supportive, enthusiastic and amazing women who give so much to the publishing community. On behalf of everyone, I’d like to express our ongoing gratitude to Shelley Anderson, our incredible Awards Coordinator, who always works tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of our awards program – Shelley, you are the best! Thank you to all the judges, and thank you to Tag Goulet, Beth Kallman-Werner, Lolly de Jonge, Ashley Belote, Heidi Ferber, Shea Megale, Belinda Metheny, Chris Marks and Peter Cyngot for all your support, advice and dedicated work. As always, we are honored and humbled to put on this awards program each year because of all of the talented writers and publishers! I wish you ongoing success with your books now and in the future. If ever there was a time to write, it is now. (Catherine Goulet)
Message from Co-Chairperson, Cathy Teets It is an honor to be co-chair of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and it has been a bountiful and challenging year for publishers, authors, and booksellers. Technology continues to be our partner in all facets of writing and publishing. To win a prestigious award like an Indie Book Award can open doors to broader markets and --it is well earned as the competition is stiff and continues to grow every year!
Cathy Teets
I am very grateful to be working with such an honorable group of hardworking people. Many thanks to Catherine Goulet for her continued vision and support of independent publishers and authors in this everchanging, highly competitive business. (Cathy Teets)
Message from Co-Founder, Marilyn Allen
Marilyn Allen
My sincere congratulations to all of the winners and finalists in this year’s Next Generation Indie Book Awards program. It’s been an unimaginable time and I am delighted to share this good news with our winners and to send some joy into the universe. It’s a great personal honor to be part of this amazing contest. I am so grateful to be a part of it since it’s inception and thank Catherine Goulet for selecting me to be a co-founder and to serve as the literary consultant. To my delight the entries into the contest continue to grow in number and especially in quality every year. You should feel very proud of this award and I look forward to the day when I can toast you at an awards ceremony in person. Please stay safe and keep writing! The world wants to hear your stories. (Marilyn Allen)
Thank you to all the expert judges who review each of the books. Thank you to our Book Coordinator, Belinda Metheny who received all the books, Heidi Ferber, involved in marketing our awards program, Chris Marks, our web developer and Peter Cyngot, our catalog designer. We would also like to thank all the volunteers involved in making our online awards reception a success!
THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS for the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards are: GRAND PRIZE WINNERS Fiction
Non-Fiction
FIRST PLACE WINNER ($1,500 PRIZE) Lucky-Child: The Secret, by Dr. Chelinay Gates (aka Malardy) (Tellwell Publications)
FIRST PLACE WINNER ($1,500 PRIZE) Treasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America’s National Parks, by QT Luong (Terra Galleria Press)
SECOND PLACE WINNER ($750 PRIZE) Eve of Snows, by L. James Rice (Twelfth Star Publishing)
SECOND PLACE WINNER ($750 PRIZE) The Chimpanzee Chronicles: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope from Behind the Bars, by by Debra Rosenman (Wild Soul Press)
THIRD PLACE WINNER ($500 PRIZE) Marlon McDoogle’s Magical Night, by Sean Covel, Illustrated by Diego Velasquez (Baby Buddha Publishing, LLC)
THIRD PLACE WINNER ($500 PRIZE) Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family, by Daniel Paterna (PowerHouse Books)
CATEGORY WINNERS AND FINALISTS (*All Finalists are listed in alphabetical order)
Action/Adventure (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): • Rain of Fire, by Linda Jacobs, Illustrated by Janine Aberg (Cover), Jim Tampa (Maps) (Goodreads Press) FINALISTS: • Just Another Girl on the Road, by S. Kensington (Troubador/Matador Publishing) • Lucky-Child: The Secret, Written and Illustrated by Chelinay Gates (TellWell Publications) • Marlon McDoogle’s Magical Night, by Sean Covel, Illustrated by Diego Velasquez (Baby Buddha Publishing, LLC) • Rainwalkers, by Matt Ritter (Pacific Street Publishing) • The Wanderer Rises, by John Robertson, Illustrated by Ann Sanderson, Daniella Postavsky (Iguana Books)
African American WINNER ($100 PRIZE): • Two ‘Til Midnight: A Novel, by Bernard Dillard (BerNerd Publishing) FINALISTS: • Civil Warriors, by Tracy A. Ball (Black Rose Writing) • From Whence We Came: A History of the African American Kinslers, by Cynthia P. White Ed. D., Author/Brenda K. Kinsler, Researcher (Parker & Parker Publishing House)
•O wn the Change: How Our Children Will Lead the Next Cultural Movement, by Ralph Harper (Brown Book Publishing Group) •R edemption: Earth’s Cry (Melech and Earth’s Tale), by Edwina Fort (Self-Published) •T he Chronicles and Conquesting Stem of Queen Sheba, by Isaac Alexis (Self-Published)
Animals/Pets WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Chimpanzee Chronicles: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope from Behind the Bars, by Debra Rosenman (Wild Soul Press) FINALISTS: •A Gift from Venus, by Gina Lypaczewski, Illustrated by Marie Jane Works (Rosemount FARM Publishing, LLC) •A n Armadillo on My Pillow, by Deborah Stevenson, Illustrated by Morgan Spicer (Pigs Fly Books) •D ear Brave Friend, by Leigh Ann Gerk, Illustrated by Trish Murtha (Golden Harvest Publishing) •S wans of the World Habitats SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SWAN CONSERVATION, by Sheila A. Bolin, Angi H. Perretti & Fanchon F. Funk, Photography by Shirley A. Bolin & Rebecca Webb Wilson, Illustrated by Jennifer Winford (The Regal Swan® Foundation, Inc.) •T rixie Finds Her People, by RJ the Story Guy, Illustrated by RJ Mirabal (Self-Published)
Anthology WINNER ($100 PRIZE): • I f I Don’t Make It, I Love You: Survivors in the Aftermath of School Shootings, by Amye Archer and Loren Kleinman (Skyhorse Publishing) FINALISTS: • # SheWins: Harrowing Stories from Women Who Survived Domestic Abuse, by Alisa Divine (Personal Power Press) •M isbehaving Nebraskans: An Eclectic Collection of Poetry, Stories, and Art, Compiled by Concierge Marketing Inc. (Concierge Marketing Inc.) •T he Chimpanzee Chronicles: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope from Behind the Bars, by Debra Rosenman (Wild Soul Press) •T he Refractive Thinker® Vol XVII: Managing a Cultural Workforce: The Impact of Global Employees, by Managing Editor: Dr. Cheryl Lentz (The Refractive Thinker Press) •T his Moment: Bold Voices from WriteGirl, Edited by Keren Taylor (WriteGirl Publications)
Autobiography/Biography WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •Q uest for Eternal Sunshine: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Darkness to Light, by Mendek Rubin & Myra Goodman (She Writes Press) FINALISTS: •B uried Saints, by Brin Miller (She Writes Press) •L iving in Different Cultures, by Tamar Frankel (Fathom Publishing) •T hem Camp Kids-Life Lessons Learned from Growing up in the Last Carter Oil Camp, by Dr William R Lance, Illustrated by Sue Lion (Self Published) •T .R.M. Howard: Doctor, Entrepreneur, Civil Rights Pioneer, by David T. Beito and Linda Royster Beito (Independent Institute) •U NCHARTED - A Jade Sculptor’s east meets west audacious journey, by Lyle Sopel (Hasmark Publishing)
Business WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •H onest to Greatness: How Today’s Greatest Leaders Use Brutal Honesty to Achieve Massive Success, by Peter Kozodoy (BenBella Books) •N on-Obvious Megatrends: How to See What Others Miss and Predict the Future (Non-Obvious Trends Series), by Rohit Bhargava (Ideapress Publishing) FINALISTS: •D ataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story, by Nancy Duarte (Ideapress Publishing) •L eadership Like You’ve Never Heard It Before, by Connie Podesta (STANDOUT Press)
•L eadership’s Perfect Storm: What Millennials Are Teaching Us about Possibilities, Passion and Purpose, by Susan Inouye (Book Publishers Network) •P MO Governance: Practical Strategies to Govern Portfolio, Program, and Project Delivery, by Eugen Spivak (Friesen Press) •T he Brilliant Jerk Conundrum: Thriving with and Governing a Dominant Visionary, by Rob Shelton, Marc J. Epstein (The Conundrum Press) •T he Disruption Mindset: Why Some Organizations Transform While Others Fail, by Charlene Li (Ideapress Publishing) •T he Wicked Company - when growth is not enough, by Marcus Kirsch (Koehler Books)
Career WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE • I ndistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, by Nir Eyal (BenBella Books) •T he Manager’s Answer Book: Powerful Tools to Maximize Your Impact and Influence, Build Trust and Teams, and Respond to Challenges, by Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem (Career Press, an imprint of Red Wheel/ Weiser, LLC) FINALISTS: •D eliberate Discomfort: How Special Operations Forces Overcome Fear and Dare to Win by Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, by Jason Van Camp with Andy Symonds (Ballast Books) •E xposing the Myth Behind “Finding Your Bliss”: Twenty-One Essays on Why the Pursuit of Bliss Can Be Super Stressful (But is Ultimately Worth It), by Sara Kravitz (Amazon/KDP) •L eadership Briefs: Shaping Organizational Culture to Stretch Leadership Capacity, by Dick Daniels (Beaver Pond Press) •T he Contract Professional’s Playbook: The Definitive Guide to Maximizing Value through Mastery of Performance - and Outcome-Based Contracting, by Jeanette Nyden and Lawrence Kane (Sound Partnership Strategies, Inc.) •T he Transition Mission: A Green Beret’s approach to transition from military service, by Herb Thompson (SF2BIZ) •T he WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture, by Deb Boelkes (Business World Rising, LLC) •T ransforming Your Stress into Business Success: Take Back Control, Regain Balance, Fuel Your Success, by Linda Wells (Aviva Publishing)
Chick Lit WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Year of the Fox: A Good Life Novel, by Merren Tait (Lola Publications)
FINALISTS: •G hosts from the Past, by Elizabeth Karlhuber (Karlhuber Publications) •R epo Girl, by Jane Fenton (Blue Morpho Books) •T he Extra, by Megan Walker and Janci Patterson (Garden Ninja Books) •T he Luckiest Girls, by Nathalie van Walsum Fuson (Self-Published) •T he Moon Always Rising: A Novel, by Alice C. Early (She Writes Press)
Children’s/Juvenile Fiction WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •B ritfield and the Lost Crown, by C. R. Stewart (Devonfield Publishing) FINALISTS: •L ife in the Grand Pause, by Frank Saraco (Barnsley Ink) •S unshine Elementary, by Nina Saporta (Kids Are Kind Publishing) •T he Eye of Ra, by Ben Gartner (Crescent Vista Press) •T he STEAM Chasers: We Made That, by Doresa Ayanna Jennings (Self-Published) •T he Wizenard Series: Training Camp, by Created by Kobe Bryant, Written by Wesley Matthews (Granity Studios)
Children’s/Juvenile Non-Fiction WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •D ear Brave Friend, by Leigh Ann Gerk, Illustrated by Trish Murtha (Golden Harvest Publishing) FINALISTS: •E tre: Girls, Who Do You Want To Be? (Wise Words for World-Changing Girls), by Illana Raia (Etre Press) •M eet the Disney Brothers, by Aaron H. Goldberg, Illustrated by Rob Yeo (Quaker Scribe) •P ositive Me! A Kids’ Guide to Self-Compassion, by Madelyn Hornstein, Illustrated by Phillipa Clark (Lulu Publishing) •S easons Before the War, by Bernice Morgan, Illustrated by Brita Granstrom (Running the Goat, Books & Broadsides) •T he Interactive Constitution, by David and Stephanie Miles, Illustrated by Albert Pinilla (Bushel & Peck Books) •W e’re Adopted, So What?, by Gayle H. Swift, Casey Swift, M. Ed., Illustrated by Wesley Blauvelt (Braided Threads Publishing)
Children’s Picture Book (0-5 Years) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Little Baby Airplane, by Eva Lou, Illustrated by Elise Follin (Madeleine Editions)
FINALISTS: •C elestina, the Astronaut Ballerina, by Donald Jacobsen, Illustrated by Graham Evans (Three Sunshines) •G racie and the Magical String, by Erin Nicole, Illustrated by Ursula Popit (Erin Nicole Creative LLC) •M y Divine Friends (Baby’s First Touch and Feel Book about Hindu Gods), by Manasa Gautam, Illustrated by Aarthi Uma (Talegari Tales LLC) •N ew York City Counting 1 to 20 (And Zero, Too), Written and Illustrated by Kip Cosson (Kip Kids of New York) •T he Lion, the Tortoise, and the Princess Gazelle, by Petra Okeke-Bestman, Illustrated by Rob Foote (Imaara Kids Books) •W hat Bee will you Bee?, by Bee L. Hall, Illustrated by Tad Ames (The B Nest Studios) •W hat I Like About You: A Book About Acceptance, by Allia Zobel Nolan (AlliaWrites)
Children’s Picture Book (Educational 6 Years & Up) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •P oetic Science of Water, by A.C. Lemonwood, Illustrated by David Cowles (Jumbo Minds, Inc.) FINALISTS: • I Remember Papa, by Karen Dare, Illustrated by CA Nobens (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc.) •L ead On!, by Krista Betcher, Illustrated by Kari Vick (Beaver’s Pond Press) •P apa’s Changes, Dementia Through a Child’s Eyes, by Linda L. Osmundson, Illustrated by Laura Peters (Cactus Court Press) •P ragmatic Princess: 26 Superb Stories of SelfSufficiency, by Rachel Kowert, Illustrated by Randall Hampton (Your Own Castle, LLC) •T he Little Green Jacket, by Jodi Dee, Illustrated by Steve Goad (Jodi Dee Publishing)
Children’s Picture Book (Illustrative 6 Years & Up) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •B ella and Jingles, by Donna Seim, Illustrated by Susan Spellman (Peter E Randall Publisher) •M arlon McDoogle’s Magical Night, by Sean Covel, Illustrated by Diego Velasquez (Baby Buddha Publishing, LLC) FINALISTS •D ash and Victoria Find True Love, by Vicki Tashman, Illustrated by Wendy All (Historical Tails) •F our Bears in a Box, by Dreama Denver, Illustrated by Ashley Belote (Headline Books) •T he Circus Thief, by Alane Adams, Illustrated by Lauren Gallegos (SparkPress)
•T he Firefly, by Ameera H. Al-Naemi, Illustrated by Nikos Yanopulos (Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press) •T he Scraggly Rabbit, by Cheryl Palladino, Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle (Honey Lavender Publishing) •T he Warrior Princess, by D.L. Murphy, Illustrated by Jan Shannon and D.L. Murphy (King’s Land Tales)
Children’s Picture Book (Non-Fiction – All Ages) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •H ugh Armstrong Robinson: The Story of Flying Lucky 13, by Billie Holladay Skelley, Illustrated by Rachel Bowman (Goldminds Publishing - Imprint of Amphorae Publishing) FINALISTS: •A BC, Adoption & Me, Revised & Reillustrated, by Gayle H. Swift, Casey A. Swift, M. Ed., Illustrated by Wesley Blauvelt (Braided Threads Publishing) •P .S. Boats, Around Puget Sound, by Susan Wolf, Illustrated by Megan Lingerfelt (Book Publishers Network) •T he Alphabet Book, Written and Illustrated by Wendy Sysouphat (Self-Published) •W hen We Had Sled Dogs: A Story from the Trapline--ācimowin ohci wanihikīskanāhk, by Ida Tremblay and Miriam Körner, Illustrated by Miriam Körner (Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing) •Y our Bridge to History, by Portia Love and Preston Love, Jr., Illustrated by Regina Jeanpierre (Preston Publishing)
Christian (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •H ouse on Fire! A Story of Loss, Love & Servant Leadership, by Ken Jennings & Mike McCormick (Morgan James) •W eapons of Remorse, by Chevron Ross (Self-Published) FINALISTS: •F orged with Flames: Faith and Love During the Peshtigo Fire, by Jayne Caelan (Solstice Publishing) •P aradox in Paradise, Written and Illustrated by Lou Berthelson (Amazon) •S eekers Finders Finders Keepers: Find the Ancient Path, by Jennifer Phillips (Wing To Wing) •S ong of Sugar Sands, by Debra Coleman Jeter (Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.) •T he Light Beyond the Garden Wall, by Scott Whitehead Illustrated by Erin Wall Meads (Lion Throne Press)
•T he Shaft - A Supernatural Thriller, by Scott B Delaney (Archway Publishing) •T he Witch’s Advocate: The Amazing True Story of the Quaker Who Stood with Salem’s Witches, by Richard Maule (New London Press)
Christian (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •C hart a Course: Taking a Journey with God at the Helm, by Jessica Carey (Carey Media LLC) FINALISTS: •D ancing with the Devil, by Gretchen Rose (Indigo River Publishing) •D ugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best, by Del Duduit (New Hope Publishers) •G row in the Grace: Spiritual Growth Lessons from Peter’s Walk with Jesus, by James Callen (CrossLink Publishing) •K eeping Your Church Safe: Security Essentials for Houses of Worship - 2nd Edition, by Ron Aguiar (USCCA) •L essons of a Dragonfly, Forty Days to a Transformed Life, by Mary Ethel Eckard (Self-Published)
Coffee Table Book/Photography WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •A rt in the White House, by William Kloss (The White House Historical Association) •T reasured Lands: A Photographic Odyssey Through America’s National Parks, by QT Luong (Terra Galleria Press) FINALISTS: •A Matter of Light: The Art of Andre Pater, by Andre Pater and Contributors, Illustrated by Andre Pater (Fincastle Publishing) •C onnections, by Charles R. Stinson (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) •H ollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies, by Jill S. Tietjen, P.E. and Barbara Bridges (Lyons Press) • I talo Scanga 1932-2001, by Matthew Kangas and Dale Chihuly (Chihuly Workshop) •M oments of Truth: A Photographer’s Experience of Kent State 1970, by Howard Ruffner (The Kent State University Press) •T he Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, An Intimate Portrait, by Linda Solomon (Wayne State University Press)
Cooking/Home/Garden WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •C reating the Sweet World of White House Desserts: A Pastry Chef’s Secrets, by Roland Mesnier and Mark Ramsdell (The White House Historical Association)
FINALISTS: •F east of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family, by Daniel Paterna (powerHouse Books) •M ore Lean & Luscious Mediterranean, by Millie Snyder (Headline Books) •R oughly a Cup: Home Cooking with Six Generations of a WV Family, by Mischelle Messenger (Self-Published) •S top Landscaping, Start Lifescaping, by Monique Allen (Ingram Sparks) •T he Allmoods Cookbook (Second Volume), by Evelyn Elgin (The Kitchen Therapist) (Allmoods Enterprises, LLC) •T he Lazy Gardener’s Guide to Growing Citrus in Containers, by Trey Watson (Legg Creek Publishing)
Current Events/Social Change WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •S aving Free Speech ... from Itself, by Thane Rosenbaum (Fredric Price, Founder & Publisher Fig Tree Books LLC) •S avvy: Navigating Fake Companies, Fake Leaders and Fake News in the Post-Trust Era, by Shiv Singh, Rohini Luthra (Ideapress Publishing) FINALISTS: •D eath by Regulation: How We Were Robbed of a Golden Age of Health and How We Can Reclaim It, by Mary J. Ruwart, Ph.D. (SunStar Press & Liberty International) • I n Defence of Democracy, by Dr. Roslyn Fuller (Polity Books) •L iberty in Peril: Democracy and Power in American History, by Randall G. Holcombe (Independent Institute) •T he Drudge Revolution: The Untold Story of How Talk Radio, Fox News, and a Gift Shop Clerk with an Internet Connection Took Down the Mainstream Media, by Matthew Lysiak (BenBella Books) •W ar and the Rogue Presidency: Restoring the Republic after Congressional Failure, by Ivan Eland (Independent Institute) •W hen Hate Groups March Down Main Street: Engaging a Community Response, by Deborah Levine and Marc Brenman (Rowman & Littlefield)
E-Book (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Naughty List, by Thomas Conway (Self-Published) FINALISTS: •D alila, by Fleur S Lewis (Self-Published) •D eadly Secrets, by John C Dalglish (SelfPublished though J & B Publishing)
•S hake the Lake, by Zach Block, Machi Block, Illustrated by Diego Lopez Mata, Carla Andrea Lopez Mata (North Air Entertainment) •T asmanian SFG, Welcome to Hell, by CR Daems (Talon Novels) •T he World Without Flags, by Ben Lyle Bedard (Self-Published)
E-Book (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •S aving Species on Private Lands: Unlocking Incentives to Conserve Wildlife and Their Habitats, by Lowell E. Baier (Rowman & Littlefield) FINALISTS: •A Climate of the Heart: Only Relatedness Can Save Us, by Ian Mills, Illustrated by Chris Seater (Jubilation Books) •A Nation of Unwell: What’s Gone Wrong?, by Kristine L. Gedroic, MD, and Valerie A. Latona (LCR Publishing) •K ickin’ it with Kenzie - What’s Meant for Me Will Be, by Makenzie Lee-Foster, Illustrated by Bryce Sweely (Self Published) •K ill the Rent Grow Your Biz: Five Simple Steps to Cut Costs, Attract More Clients & Improve Your Bottom Line, by L.D. Howard (CreateSpace) •Y our Precious Sight: An Optometrist’s Most Memorable Cases, by Eichin Chang-Lim (Amazon Digital Services LLC)
Education/Academic (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •G oodbye Homeboy: How My Students Drove Me Crazy and Inspired a Movement, by Steve Mariotti with Debra Devi (BenBella Books) FINALISTS: •A n Architect’s Guide to Construction: Enduring Ways in the Age of Immediacy, by Brian Palmquist, Illustrated by Andrew Palmquist (Quality-by-Design Consulting Ltd) •C ourse Design Formula: How to Teach Anything to Anyone Online, by Rebecca Frost Cuevas (Learn and Get Smarter, Inc.) •E verything You Need to Know About Wheelchair Accessible Cruising, by Sylvia Longmire (PreJax Press) •R estoring the Promise: Higher Education in America, by Richard K. Vedder (Independent Institute) •T he EQ Intervention: Raising a Self-Aware Generation Through Social and Emotional Learning, by Adam L. Saenz (Greenleaf Book Group)
Fantasy WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •E ve of Snows, by L. James Rice (Twelfth Star Publishing) FINALISTS: •A waken the Three, Book Two of the HIGHGLADE series, by D.L. Jennings, Illustrated by Ryan Goimarac (Indigo River) •E poca: The Tree of Ecrof, Created by Kobe Bryant, Written by Ivy Claire (Granity Studios) •T he Isle of Gold, by Seven Jane (Black Spot Books) •T he Thief’s Tale, by Joel Gavin Manners (Colquhoun Books) •T wo Dark Moons, by Avi Silver (Molewhale Press)
Finance/Investment WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Sustainable Endowment 10 Principles to Make Your Foundation or Nonprofit Last For Decades, by James Demmert (New Insights Press) FINALISTS: •B lockchain or Die: Learn to Profit from Cryptocurrencies and Blockchains, by Eric L. Guthrie, Esq. (Better ME Better WE Publishing) •G ET READY! A Step-By-Step Planner for Maintaining Your Financial First Aid Kit, by Tony Steuer (Life Insurance Sage Press) •P rivate Money Lending: Learn How to Consistently Generate a Passive Income Stream 2nd Edition, by Gustavo J. Gomez, Ph.D. (Halo Publishing International) •R eal Estate Investors-Clients for Life, by Fred Tichauer (FTCW PC) •R etireSMART!, by Mark Anthony Grimaldi (Page Publishing) •T he Money Master: Inside Secrets on How to Make Your Money Grow and Stay Safe, by Sandy Yong (Black Card Books)
First Novel (Under 70,000 words) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •L ife in the Grand Pause, by Frank Saraco (Barnsley Ink) FINALISTS: •F amily Matters: A Memoir Novel in Stories, by Vicki Allen-Hitt (JV Books) •T he Enchanters’ Child, by Navya Sarikonda (IngramSpark) •T he Other Cheek: Boy Meets Girl, Girl Beats Boy, Just Your Typical Love Story...by, Jafe Danbury (Jefe Press)
•T roublesome Creek, by Wesley Mullins (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing) •W ildflowers, by L.W. Davie (Self-Published)
First Novel (70,000-90,000 words) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •S ongbirds and Stray Dogs, by Meagan Lucas (Main Street Rag Publishing Company) FINALISTS: •A Witch’s Burden, by D.W. Goates (BookBaby) •A ppearances, by Sondra Helene (She Writes Press) •A shes in a Coconut, by Bo Kearns (Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC) •C ountdown America, by M.C. Fox (Self-Published) •E verywhere She’s Not, by N. John Shore, Jr. (Laughing Moon Books) •M ake It Concrete, by Miryam Sivan (Cuidono Press)
First Novel (Over 90,000 words) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •L ucky-Child: The Secret, Written and Illustrated by Chelinay Gates (TellWell Publications) FINALISTS: •M an From Ireland, by Michele Charrier (56Press) •T he Moon Always Rising, A Novel, by Alice C Early (She Writes Press) •T he Reclamation, by Roger Howell (Kindle Direct Publishing) •T he Voice of Melody, by Kaylene Powell (Raymond Shop Press) •Y ou Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened, by Amy Weinland Daughters (She Writes Press)
General Fiction/Novel (Under 80,000 words) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •P ainting the White House, by Hal Marcovitz (Self-Published) FINALISTS: •B read Bags & Bullies: Surviving the 80s, by Steven Manchester (Luna Bella Pres) •D on’t Put the Boats Away, by Ames Sheldon (She Writes Press) •F ull Circle, by Richard Ellis Shaw (Outskirts Press) •M aidstone, by Marc J. Youngquist, Illustrated by Aleta Gudelski (Self-Published) •T he Green House, by Dan Lawton (Black Rose Writing)
General Fiction/Novel (Over 80,000 words) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Black Bottom: The Measure of Man, by Theo Czuk (Self-Published) FINALISTS: •B reaking Point, A Novel of the Battle of Britain, by John Rhodes (Suncoast Publishing) •F ree: A Novel, by Martin Mordecai (The University of the West Indies Press) •L ove is a Rebellious Bird, by Elayne Klasson (She Writes Press) •N o-Accounts: Dare Mighty Things, by Tom Glenn (Apprentice House) •S ongbirds and Stray Dogs, by Meagan Lucas (Main Street Rag Publishing Company) •T he Weight of a Moment, by Michael Bowe (Villa Campanile Press)
General Non-Fiction WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •A ll the Fierce Tethers, by Lia Purpura (Sarabande Books) •T he Chimpanzee Chronicles: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope from Behind the Bars, by Debra Rosenman (Wild Soul Press) FINALISTS: •E ating My Way Through Baseball...Legendary Stories with a Major League Bite, by Barry Weinberg (Self-Published) •H ope & Heartbreak: Beyond the Numbers of The Opioid Epidemic, by Scott Brown (Red Brush) • I maginative Communities: Admired cities, regions and countries, by Robert Govers (Reputo Press) •L ee Lawrie’s Prairie Deco: History in Stone at the Nebraska State Capitol (4th Edition), by Gregory Paul Harm (Bison Werks) •M edicine and Miracles in the High Desert: My Life Among the Navajo People, by Dr. Erica M. Elliott, M.D. (Balboa Press) •T he First Time: A Book of 20th & 21st Century Music Firsts, by Nick Hamlyn (PPR Publishing)
Gift/Specialty/Novelty Book WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •A mazing Thailand Festivals Pop-up Book, Written and Illustrated by Taveepong Limmakorn (Limmark Advertising & Printing Co., Ltd) • I Need More Time (and I Probably Always will), Written and Illustrated by Ashleigh Brilliant (Kieran Publishing) FINALISTS: •L ead On!, by Krista Betcher, Illustrated by Kari Vick (Beaver’s Pond Press)
•L ettering Journey, Fast. Functional. Fun!, Written
and Illustrated by Heather Leavitt Martinez (Self-Published) •L ove Poems from Vermont: reflections on an inner and outer state, Poems and Photos, by Jon Meyer (Brilliant Light Publishing/Media, L3C) •M usic & Memories, by Compiled (Star Group Books) •M y Afrikah Hair, by Melanie L. Houston, Illustrated by Philece Roberts (Alabaster Box Media Group) •T he Thankful Mermaid: I Am Kind, by Hayley Rose, Illustrated by Lynx Studios (Flowered Press)
Health/Wellness (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •Y our Body’s Environmental Chemical Burden, by Cindy Klement, MS, CNS, MCHES (Mindstir Media) FINALISTS: •G ood Sexual Citizenship: How to Create a (Sexually) Safer World, by Ellen Friedrichs (Cleis Press) •M y Garden of Flowers: Miracles in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, by Manjeet Kaur, MD (Inspirante Publishing LLC) •P USH Labor & Delivery from the Inside Out, by Catherine C. Stack (Self-Published) •T reating ADHD/ADD in Children and Adolescents: Solutions for Parents and Clinicians, Gene Carroccia (Charles C Thomas) •W hole Person Integrative Eating: A Breakthrough Dietary Lifestyle to Treat the Root Causes of Overeating, Overweight, and Obesity, by Deborah Kesten, MPH and Larry Scherwitz, PhD (White River Press)
Historical (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •R epentance, by Andrew Lam (Tiny Fox Press, LLC) FINALISTS: •A fter All: A Gathering Storm of Romance, Revenge, and Espionage in Postwar South America, by Robert Arthur Neff, Artist, Kathleen Ericson, Illustrated by Daniel J. Middleton (Old Stone Press) •D reamland, by Nancy Bilyeau (Endeavour Quill) •F light of the U-463, by Timothy Donald Pilmaier (Pinger Publishing) •L and Beyond the Sea, by Kevin Major (Breakwater Books Ltd.) •T he Interpreter, by A. J. Sidransky (Black Opal Books)
Historical (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T hey Must Be Monsters: A Modern-Day Witch Hunt, by Matthew LeRoy & Deric Haddad (The Manor Publishing House) FINALISTS: •G un Control in Nazi-Occupied France: Tyranny and Resistance, by Stephen P. Halbrook (Independent Institute) •H ollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies, by Jill S. Tietjen, P.E. and Barbara Bridges (Lyons Press) •P lantation: Coffee in Jamaica, 1790-1848, by Kathleen E.A. Monteith (The University of West Indies Press) •S urviving the Peace: The Struggle for Postwar Recovery in Bosnia-Herzegovina, by Peter Lippman (Vanderbilt University Press) •T he Growth and Collapse of One American Nation, by Donald J Fraser (Fraser & Associates) •T o Live on Lafayette Square: Society & Politics in the President’s Neighborhood, by William Seale (The White House Historical Association)
Horror WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Girl in the Mirror: A Sarah Greene Supernatural Mystery, by Steven Ramirez (Glass Highway) FINALISTS: •T he Armageddon Chord, by Jeremy Wagner, Illustrated by Claudio Bergamin (Riverdale Avenue Books) •T he Meridiem: Cedric, Book 2, by C. A. Lear (Self-Published) •T he Poor and The Haunted, by Dustin McKissen (Black Rose Writing) •T he Red Son, by Mark Anzalone (WildBlue Press) •W hickering Place, by London Clarke (Carfax Abbey Publishing)
How To (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •H ow to Build Your Baby’s Brain: A Parent’s Guide to Using New Gene Science to Raise a Smart, Secure, and Successful Child, by Dr. Gail Gross (Skyhorse) •N avigating the Business Swamp, by Steve Poorman (Trimark Press) FINALISTS: •# LookUp: A Parenting Guide to Screen Use, by Judy Stoffel, Illustrated by Athena Currier (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) •H appily Ever Cyber!: Protect Yourself Against Hackers, Scammers, and Cybermonsters, by Sandra Estok, Illustrated by Elisha Fernandez (ThePositiveMOM.com)
•N on-Obvious Guides, by Rohit Bhargava
(Ideapress Publishing)
•R eal Talk: What Other Experts Won’t Tell You
About How to Make Presentations That Sizzle, by Bridgett McGowen (BMcTALKS, LLC) •S ound Advice: Tune into Hearing, by Teresa Barnes, RN (Balboa Press) •T he Complete Martial Artist: Developing the Mind, Body, and Spirit of a Champion--SelfMastery Empowering Youths, by Willie “The Bam” Johnson (YMAA Publication Center)
Humor/Comedy WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •Y ou Cannot Mess This Up: A True Story That Never Happened, by Amy Weinland Daughters (She Writes Press) FINALISTS: •H eartSnark: A literally light-hearted account of my heart transplant, or Shakespearean strippers, bison meatloaf, and urinal harems!, by Terry Kroenung (Rare Moon Press) • I Need More Time (and I Probably Always will), Written and Illustrated by Ashleigh Brilliant (Kieran Publishing) • J ill Martin Saves the World, by Christopher Cambern (Self-published) •S CABS: Sudden Crazy Ass Bitch Syndrome, by Isabella Ornot (Outskirts Press) •S truggle Bus: The Van. The Myth. The Legend., by Josh Wood (Lucid Books)
Illustrations WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •A Dream, by Cory Q. Tan, Illustrated by Cory Q Tan (The Luminous Cat) •É tudes, The Poetry of Dreams + Other Fragments, by John Marx (ORO Editions) FINALISTS: •E mergence an Illustrated Memoire, Written and Illustrated by Cindy Louisette Johnson (The Design Group Press) •M eet Me at the Farmers Market (2nd Edition), by Lisa Pelto, Illustrated by Paula S. Wallace (Reading is Key Publishing) •P ower Your Heart, You Power Your Mind: SelfStudy then Build A Bridge to Someone, Written and Illustrated by Paula Christian Kliger, PhD, ABPP (SEDA Press) •S isterhood of the Flying Goose -A Story of the Power You Give Yourself, Written and Illustrated by Lauren Rieth (Zeus Goose Productions) •T he Bug’s Journey: A Story for All Ages, by George Wheaton and Merrijo Wheaton, Illustrated by Merrijo Wheaton (Self-Published) •T he Wish, by Julie Starkey, Illustrated by Sandra Starkey Simon and Fanny Retsek (Windmill Grass Publishing)
Become a Sponsor
of the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Do you support independent book publishing and want more exposure to independent authors and publishers? If the answer is “yes,” we invite you to become a sponsor of the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Sponsorship opportunities start at as little as $500. In return for sponsoring the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, you and your organization will receive widespread recognition as supporters of indie publishing. Your partnership with the Next Generation Indie Book Awards will give you the opportunity to have a prestigious award named after you, to receive national publicity, and to reach thousands of authors and organizations involved in independent book publishing.
Sponsorship Levels Platinum – $5,000
• Grand Prize Award named for yourself or your company • Admission for four people to attend gala awards reception • Platinum sponsorship announced during NGIBA awards presentation at gala reception • Opportunity to speak and present award named for your company to winner of Grand Prize • Company promotional materials (provided by you) distributed in our gift bags to all awards reception attendees • One full page ad in Next Generation Indie Book Awards catalog, distributed to thousands at book conferences and events • Logo (with LIVE link)* featured on home page and one other prominent position on Next Generation Indie Book Awards website www.indiebookawards.com • Logo (with LIVE link)* featured on home page and one other prominent position on Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group website www.IBPPG.com • Platinum sponsor name mentioned in official PR announcing NGIBA 2021 award winners and finalists • Platinum sponsor name mentioned in three or more email blasts to all award entrants (thousands of entrants) • Four or more social media posts/tweets mentioning company sponsorship with website link and brand hashtag
Gold – $3,000 • One category Award named for yourself or your company • Admission for three people to NGIBA awards reception • Opportunity to present award named for your company to category winner • Gold sponsorship mentioned during NGIBA reception presentation • Company promotional materials (provided by you) distributed in our gift bags to all awards reception attendees • Three quarter page ad in Next Generation Indie Book Awards catalog, distributed to thousands at book conferences and events • Logo (with LIVE link)* featured on Next Generation Indie Book Awards website www.indiebookawards.com • Logo (with LIVE link)* featured on Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group website www.IBPPG.com • Gold sponsor name mentioned in official PR announcing NGIBA 2021 award winners and finalists • Gold sponsor name mentioned in two email blasts to all award entrants (thousands of entrants) • Three social media posts/tweets mentioning company sponsorship with website link and brand hashtag
Silver – $1,500 • Admission for two people to awards reception • Silver sponsorship mentioned during NGIBA reception presentation • Company promotional materials (provided by you) distributed in our gift bags to all awards reception attendees • One half page ad in Next Generation Indie Book Awards catalog, distributed to thousands at book conferences and events • Logo featured (with a LIVE link)* on Next Generation Indie Book Awards website www.indiebookawards.com • Logo (with a LIVE link)* on Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group website www.IBPPG.com • Silver sponsor mention in official PR announcing NGIBA 2021 award winners and finalists • Silver sponsor mention in an email blast to all award entrants (thousands of entrants) • Two social media posts/tweets mentioning company sponsorship with website link and brand hashtag
Bronze – $500 • Admission for one person to awards reception • Bronze sponsorship mentioned during NGIBA reception presentation • Company promotional materials (provided by you) distributed in our gift bags to all awards reception attendees • One quarter page ad in Next Generation Indie Book Awards catalog, distributed to thousands at book conferences and events • Logo featured (with a LIVE link)* on Next Generation Indie Book Awards website www.indiebookawards.com • Logo (with a LIVE link)* on Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group website www.IBPPG.com • Bronze sponsor mention in one email blast to all award entrants (thousands of entrants) • One social media post/tweet mentioning company sponsorship with website link and brand hashtag *For at least a one year period. Please email us at info@IndieBookAwards.com or contact Beth Kallman Werner of Author Connections at (570) 686-1214 to sponsor the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Inspirational (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •M arlon McDoogle’s Magical Night, by Sean Covel, Illustrated by Diego Velasquez (Baby Buddha Publishing) •T he Anchor House, by Spencer Margaret (Self-Published) FINALISTS: •N onverbal, by Peggy Moffitt Earnest (Self Published) •P rison of Mulberry, by J.P. Maximus (Self-Published) •S ilent Hero: A Homeless Success Story, by Vernard Dorsey, Illustrated by Danielle Ferreira (Vdor Innovations) •T he Reluctant Healer, by Andrew Himmel (Greenleaf Book Group Press) •T he World of Pond Stories, by Dr. Stewart Bitkoff (Abandoned Ladder) •W est of Famous, by Joni M. Fisher (Self-Published)
Inspirational (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •B reathings: Tiny Stories for the Thin Places of Your Heart, by Marti Healy (The Design Group Press) •E mergence an Illustrated Memoire, Written and Illustrated by Cindy Louisette Johnson (The Design Group Press) FINALISTS: •A rt & Creaky Bones, Written and Illustrated by Sheila Reid; French Translation - Anne Marchou (KDP Amazon) •E tre: Girls, Who Do You Want to Be? (Wise Words for World-Changing Girls), by Illana Raia (Etre Press) •G eraldina & the Compass Rose, by Geraldine Brown Giomblanco (GBG Books) •R esurrection Lily: The BRCA Gene, Hereditary Cancer & Lifesaving Whispers from the Grandmother I Never Knew, by Amy Byer Shainman (Archway Publishing) •S ound Mind: My Bipolar Journey from Chaos to Composure, by Erika Nielsen (Trigger Publishing) •T he Undertaker: A Memoir of the First Woman Funeral Director in the Core of Brooklyn, by Laura Del Gaudio (Green Writers Press) •W omen Make Arkansas: Conversations with 50 Creatives, by Erin Wood (Et Alia Press)
LGBTQ2 (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/ Transgender/Queer/2-Spirited) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •O nce A Girl, Always A Boy: A Family Memoir of a Transgender Journey, by Jo Ivestor (She Writes Press) •R eal Talk About LGBTQIAP: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Pansexual, by Tara Y. Coyt (Joe Barry Carroll Publishing) FINALISTS: •B est Man, by Chris Delyani (Self-Published) •C igar Barons - Blood isn’t thicker than water - it’s war!, by Isabella (Sapphire Books Publishing) •G host in the Piano, by Iza Moreau (Black Bay Books) •N ever Turn Your Back on the Tide (Or, How I Married a Lying Psychopathic Wannabe-Murderer and Kinda Lived to Tell), by Kergan EdwardsStout (Circumspect Press) •S ecrets the Walkers Keep, by J. Morgan Michaels (Tribeless Publishing) •S ubcutanean, by Aaron A. Reed (Self-Published) •T wisted Deception, by Isabella (Sapphire Books Publishing)
Memoirs (Career) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •M y Political Journey: Jamaica’s Sixth Prime Minister, by P.J. Patterson (The University of the West Indies Press) FINALISTS: •C hucky’s in Tucson, by Brant Vickers (Palmetto Publishing Group) •D ramatic Measures: Lessons from a Life in the Theater, by Chris Angermann (Bardolf & Company) •H ummingbird in Underworld: Teaching in a Men’s Prison, A Memoir, by Deborah Tobola (She Writes Press) •L ength of Stay, Psychiatric Case Studies, by James W Cole, MD (Amazon) •T he Pit: Memoir of an Emergency Physician, by Gary D. Conrad (Ahimsa Press)
Memoirs (Historical/Legacy) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Girl Who Said Goodbye: A Memoir of a Khmer Rouge Survivor, by Heather Allen (Self-Published) FINALISTS: •A nd Every Word Is True, by Gary McAvoy (Literati Editions)
•H ow Languages Saved Me: A Polish Story of
Survival, by Stefanie Naumann & Tadeusz Haska (deceased) (Koehler Books) •O ld New Worlds, by Judith Krummeck (Green Writers Press) •T ouching the Future: My Odyssey from Print to Online Publishing, by Roger Fidler (Self-Published) •W hen We Were Arabs: A Jewish Family’s Forgotten History, by Massoud Hayoun (The New Press)
Memoirs (Other) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •B lack Indian, by Shonda Buchanan (Wayne State University Press) FINALISTS: •C hanging Places: Travels in a Vanishing World, by Jeff Appelquist (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) •C hester’s Lesson: Life, Loss, and Love (A Memoir in Poetry), by Jane Eagles (Maine Authors and Publishers) •C reating the Sweet World of White House Desserts: A Pastry Chef’s Secrets, by Roland Mesnier and Mark Ramsdell (The White House Historical Association) •M aking Out, by Kathryn Bond Stockton (New York University Press) •W elcome to Replica Dodge, by Natalie Ruth Joynton, Illustrated by Emily Joynton (Wayne State University Press)
Memoirs (Overcoming Adversity/Tragedy) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story, by David Crow (Sandra Jonas Publishing) FINALISTS: •B aghdaddy: How Saddam Hussein Taught Me to Be a Better Father, by Bill Riley (Brown Books Publishing Group) •H eartbreak and Rage: Ten Years Under Sun Myung Moon (Second Edition, Revised and Updated), by K. Gordon Neufeld (Virtualbookworm.com Publishing) •S training Forward, by Michelle Layer Rahal (Xulon Press) •T he Nature of Shadows: An African Memoir, by Augustine Sheriff with L.A. Mitchell (Almond Grove Publishing) •W hen a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew, by Hendrika de Vries (She Writes Press)
Memoirs (Personal Struggle/Health Issues) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Goodbye Diaries, by Marisa Bardach Ramel and Sally Bardach (Wyatt-MacKenzie) FINALISTS: •N ot Your Usual Boob: The Good, Bad, and Winky of Breast Cancer, by MK Meredith (Self-Published) •S tealing Cinderella: How I Became an International Fugitive for Love, by Mark D. Diehl (Fencetree Press) •T ake It Lying Down: Finding My Feet After a Spinal Cord Injury, by Jim Linnell (Paul Dry Press) •T he American Fly-Fishing Experience, by John Gubbins, Illustrated by Nora Gubbins (Self-Published) •T he Likelihood of Dawn: An Intimate Journey Within and Beyond Grief, by Raechel Bratnick (Full Court Press) •W aking in Havana: A Memoir of AIDS and Healing in Cuba, by Elena Schwolsky (She Writes Press)
Military WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •G un Control in Nazi-Occupied France: Tyranny and Resistance, by Stephen P. Halbrook (Independent Institute) FINALISTS: •C entral Coast Aviators in World War II, by Jim Gregory (The History Press) •C ode Name Lily: Legend of the Belgian Resistance, by Julien Ayotte (Kindle Direct Publishing) •E dison 64: A Tragedy in Vietnam and at Home, by Richard Sand (Righter’s Mill Press, LLC) • J umping from Helicopters, by John Stillman, Lori Stillman (Turtle Creek Publishing) •M ISSING: A World War II Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and Survival, by Kenneth D. Evans (Starhaven Publishing, LLC)
Mind, Body and Spirit WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •Q uest for Eternal Sunshine: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Darkness to Light, by Mendek Rubin & Myra Goodman (She Writes Press) FINALISTS: •B raided: A Journey of a Thousand Challahs, by Beth Ricanati, MD (She Writes Press) •D eep Living with the Enneagram: Recovering Your True Nature, by Roxanne Howe-Murphy EdD (Enneagram Press)
•M y Ticket to Ride: From Cancer to Flourishing,
by Cristina Whitehawk (Powered by Genius Publishing) •T he Lantern in the Skull: Consciousness and marginal zones of the extraordinary, by Hugh Major (Attar Books) •T he Only Way Out Is Through, by Dr. Gail Gross (Rowman & Littlefield)
Motivational WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •B old New You, by Justin Patton (Self-Published) •T he Muse in You: Embracing Creativity to Overcome Life’s Difficulties, by Lynn Newman (Schiffer Publishing) FINALISTS: • I t’s Never Too Late to Be Your Self- Follow Your Inner Compass and Take Back Your Life, by Davina Kotulski, Ph.D. (Red Ink Press) •L essons from My Grandfather: Wisdom for Success in Business and Life, by Marc Charles Demetriou (Success House Publishing) •L imitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life, by Laura Gassner Otting (Ideapress Publishing) •P owerful As F*ck: Own Your Shit. Live the Life of Your Dreams., by Morgan Field (Epic Sexy You Publishing) •T he Forgotten Choice - Using Your Inner Decisions to Shape Your Outer World, by Brenda Bence (Global Insight Communications, LLC) •T he UnAmerican Dream: Finding Personal and Professional Happiness Establishing Work-Life Boundaries, by Carlos Hidalgo (Visum Publishing)
Multicultural (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •L uz, by Debra Thomas (She Writes Press) FINALISTS: •G otta Get It Back, by Deliah Lawrence (KDP Amazon) •R oof of the World, by Don Helin (Headline Books) •W hat the Living Do, by Maggie Dwyer (Friesen Press) •W here the Sun Will Rise Tomorrow, by Rashi Rohatgi (Galaxy Galloper) •W ho Cries for Mother Earth, by Margaret Hines (Brings Good LLC)
Mystery WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Lord Chamberlain’s Daughter, by Ron Fritsch (Asymmetric Worlds)
FINALISTS: •A Dream of Death, by Connie Berry (Crooked Lane Books) •B efore Familiar Woods, by Ian Pisarcik (Crooked Lane Books) •C atch Me When I’m Falling, by Cheryl A Head (Bywater Books) •O n A Quiet Street, A Dr. Pepper Hunt Mystery, by J. L. Doucette (She Writes Press) •T he Seer Renee, by C.R. Daems (Talon Novels)
Nature/Environment WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •T he New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest, by J. Duane Sept (Harbour Publishing) •W aterfront Porch: Reclaiming Detroit’s Industrial Waterfront as a Gathering Place for All, by John H. Hartig (Michigan State University Press) FINALISTS: •A n Ocklawaha River Odyssey; Paddling Through Natural History, Written and Illustrated by Elizabeth Randall (The History Press) •C limate Abandoned: We’re on the Endangered Species List, Edited by Jill Cody (Writing Endeavors Press) •D inosaur Dreaming, Our Climate Moment, by Gail Collins-Ranadive (Homebound Publications) •F resh Water, Design Research for Inland Water Territories, by Mary Pat McGuire & Jessica M. Henson (Applied Research + Design Publishing) •G oing Feral: Field Notes on Wonder and Wanderlust, by Heather Durham (Trail to Table Press, imprint of Wandering Aengus Press) •S aving Species on Private Lands: Unlocking Incentives to Conserve Wildlife and Their Habitats, by Lowell E. Baier (Rowman & Littlefield)
New Age WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Big Book of Chakras and Chakra Healing: How to Unlock Your Seven Energy Centers for Healing, Happiness, and Transformation, Written and Illustrated by Susan Shumsky (Weiser Books) FINALISTS: •B e Still - How to Heal and Grow, by Winslow Eliot (Writespa) •G od Knocking on My Head, by Linda Kupiec (CreateSpace) • I Am Sovereign A Handbook for Learning the Language of Vibration, by Simon & Suzie Heilo (Noble Truth) •S tar Sisters: An Astrologer’s Memoir of Twin Loss, by Linda “Moonrabbit” Zlotnick (Moonrabbit Press) •T he Way of the Lightkeeper, by Catherine Grace Landry (Satiama Publishing)
Novella (17,500-40,000 Words) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •S oup to Nuts, by Judith Deborah (Plimsoll Press) FINALISTS: •B rash Flow, by Patrick Holm (Self-Published) •T he Christmas Coat, by Kathleen Shoop (Self-Published) •T he Volunteers, by J. Aaron Payne (Morning Line Publications) •T he Western Nebraska Hard Fescue Greater Prairie Chickens, by Brian Karre (Iuniverse) •T wo Tales for the Twenty-Twenties: Buffy’s Burritos, by Patrick Conley (Authorhouse)
Paranormal WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •B lood and Gods: Books 1 & 2 of the Creator’s Quatrain, by Nathan Bueckert (Black Rose Writing) •S ong of Eliria, by Heather Starsong (Self-Published) FINALISTS: •A Dream to Die For, by Susan Z.Ritz (She Writes Press) •E nlightenment: Book 1 of The Bathala Series, by Reno Ursal (Pacific Boulevard Books) •L egacy of Lies, by Janet K. Shawgo (Five Ladies Press) •T he Girl in the Mirror: A Sarah Greene Supernatural Mystery, by Steven Ramirez (Glass Highway) •T he Moon Always Rising, A Novel, by Alice C Early (She Writes Press) •U nbroken (Sentinels and Guardians Book 1), by Chris Engle (Self-Published) •W interset, by Dennis Maulsby (NeoLeaf)
Parenting/Family (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •O nce A Girl, Always A Boy: A Family Memoir of a Transgender Journey, by Jo Ivestor (She Writes Press) FINALISTS: •H eart of a Lion, by Willie Burton and Brenda Burton with Barry Kienzle (Headline Books) •P arentShift: Ten Universal Truths That Will Change the Way You Raise Your Kids, by Wendy Thomas Russell, Linda Hatfield and Ty Hatfield (Brown Paper Press) •R aising Will: Surviving the Brilliance and Blues of ADHD, by Katherine Quie (Wise Ink Publishing) •T he New Adolescence: Raising Happy and Successful Teens in an Age of Anxiety and Distraction, by Christine Carter (BenBella Books)
•T reating ADHD/ADD in Children and
Adolescents: Solutions for Parents and Clinicians, by Gene Carroccia (Charles C Thomas)
Poetry WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •S econd Chances: Poetry from a Sun-Kissed Life, by Ayala Zarfjian (Golden Dragonfly Press) FINALISTS: •L ove Poems from Vermont: reflections on an inner and outer state, Poems and Photos, by Jon Meyer (Brilliant Light Publishing/Media, L3C) •M uddling Through, A Gallimaufry of Light Verse, Prose Poems, Short Plays, Songs, and Cartoons, Written and Illustrated by, E.M. Schorb (Hill House New York) •P ower your Heart...You power your Mind: Self Study then Build A Bridge to Someone, by Paula Christian Kliger, PhD, ABPP or PCKliger (SEDA Press) •R ain and Embers, by Ali Nuri (Lion’s Den Press) •S kin Memory, by John Sibley Williams (Backwaters Press, imprint of University of Nebraska Press)
Regional (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •S hirtless Men Drink Free, by Dwaine Rieves (Leapfolio, a venture of Tupelo Press) FINALISTS: •F oolish Things: A Southern Tale, by William Blaylock (Amazon/Kindle) •L ucky-Child: The Secret, Written and Illustrated by Chelinay Gates (TellWell Publications) •M ourning Dove, by Claire Fullerton (Firefly Southern Fiction) •T he Enchantress of Atacama, by Richard Francaviglia, Illustrated by, Sarah Gayle (cover art) (Dancing Moon Press) •T roublesome Creek, by Wesley Mullins (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing)
Regional (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •F east of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food and Family, by Daniel Paterna (powerHouse Books) FINALISTS: •A Lion Where There Were Lambs, by Bill Erxleben (Forseti Books) •C rossing the Aisle: How Bipartisanship Brought Tennessee to the Twenty-First Century and Could Save America, by Keel Hunt (Vanderbilt University Press)
•L eora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an
Iowa Family During World War II, by Joy Neal Kidney with Robin Grunder (Self-Published) •O ld New Worlds, by Judith Krummeck (Green Writers Press) •O ur Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary, by Kevin Allen (ASPublishing) •S mall Town, Big Music: The Outsized Influence of Kent, Ohio, on the History of Rock and Roll, by Jason Prufer (The Kent State University Press) •T o Live on Lafayette Square: Society & Politics in the President’s Neighborhood, by William Seale (The White House Historical Association)
Relationships (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •S imple Habits for Marital Happiness: Practical Skills and Tools That Build A Strong Satisfying Relationship, by Randall Schroeder, Ph.D. (CrossLink Publishing) FINALISTS: •F riending: Creating Meaningful, Lasting Adult Friendships, by Gina Handley Schmitt, MA, LMHC, Illustrated by Cecelia Grenata (Microcosm Publishing) •G eraldina & the Compass Rose, by Geraldine Brown Giomblanco (GBG Books) •R omance... Push the on Button! How To Turn Your Man Into A Romantic, by Paul Gaughan (Amazon.com) •S ide by Side Tales from Behind the Canvas, by Kim Yesis (Maine Authors Publishing) •T he 10 Greatest Gifts We Give Each Other: A Memoir on the Magic of Marriage Vows, by Barbara Lynn Vannoy (Admont Press)
Religious (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •V estal Virgin: Chosen for Rome, by Katherine Spada Basto, Illustrated by Duncan Eagleson (Painted Turtle Press) FINALISTS: •A ll in Good Time, by Carolyn Astfalk (Multa Verba - independently published) •C reed of Vengeance, by Aubrey Dasher (Outskirts Press) •F oolish Things: A Southern Tale, by William Blaylock (Amazon/Kindle) •P rophet and Loss: Stories of Extreme Beliefs, by Kenneth Neufeld (Virtualbookworm.com Publishing) •S imon versus Simon: The Story of Lucius and the Magician’s Duel, by Philip E Sears (Overhill Press) •T he Witch’s Advocate: The Amazing True Story of the Quaker Who Stood with Salem’s Witches, by Richard Maule (New London Press)
Romance (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T hat’s Not a Thing, by Jacqueline Friedland (SparkPress) FINALISTS: •C igar Barons - Blood isn’t thicker than water - it’s war!, by Isabella (Sapphire Books Publishing) •C ode of Conduct, by April White (Smartypants Romance) •C offee, My Love, by Alicia Crofton (Three Dimples Publishing) •G eraldina & the Compass Rose, by Geraldine Brown Giomblanco (GBG Books) •T aming Beckett, by G.K. Brady (Trefoil Publishing)
Science WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •T he Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity - and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race, by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long (BenBella Books) •T he NeuroGeneration: The New Era in Brain Enhancement That Is Revolutionizing the Way We Think, Work, and Heal, by Tan Le (BenBella Books) FINALISTS: •E lectric Brain: How the New Science of Brainwaves Reads Minds, Tells Us How We Learn, and Helps Us Change for the Better, by R. Douglas Fields (BenBella Books) •M apping Humanity: How Modern Genetics Is Changing Criminal Justice, Personalized Medicine, and Our Identities, by Joshua Z. Rappoport (BenBella Books) •P rinciples of Green Bioethics: Sustainability in Health Care, by Cristina Richie (Michigan State University Press) •T he Simulation Hypothesis: An MIT Computer Scientist Shows Why AI, Quantum Physics, and Eastern Mystics •A ll Agree We Are in A Video Game, by Rizwan Virk (Bayview Books, LLC) •T ouching the Future: My Odyssey from Print to Online Publishing, by Roger Fidler (Self-Published)
Science Fiction WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Nothing Within, by Andy Giesler (Humble Quill) FINALISTS: •C ome Take Me: A Celestial Satire, by Ethan Herberman (Amazon) •E arth Log, by Blaine C. Readler (Full Arc Press)
•E choes of War, by Cheryl Campbell
(SparkPress) •T he Price of Safety, by Michael Bland (World Castle Publishing) •T ransference, by B.T. Keaton (Ingleside Avenue Press)
Second Novel WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •D eadbreak, by Jorge Sanchez (Self-Published) •T o Crown A King, by Raedene Jeannette Melin (Skjaldmaer Publishing) FINALISTS: •A fter All: A Gathering Storm of Romance, Revenge, and Espionage in Postwar South America, by Robert Arthur, Illustrated by Kathleen Ericson, Artist and Daniel J. Middleton, illustrator (Old Stone Press) •A waken the Three, Book Two of the HIGHGLADE series, by D.L. Jennings, Illustrated by Ryan Goimarac (Indigo River) •L ove: A Story, by Bill Smoot (Adelaide Books) •S tretched Across Time: Braided Dimensions Series Book 2, by Marie Judson (Rural Scholar Press) •T he BLACK BOTTOM: The Measure of Man, by Theo Czuk (Self-Published) •V estal Virgin: Chosen for Rome, by Katherine Spada Basto, Illustrated by Duncan Eagleson (Painted Turtle Press)
Self Help (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •8 Ways to Wellbeing for Recovering People, by Sonnee Weedn, PhD (Chispa Publishing) FINALISTS: •A s Happy as I Can Stand, by Charles C. McCormack (Self-Published) •B ecoming Unshakeable: Wisdom Learned on the Journey to Inner Freedom, by Patti Montella (Lioncrest Publishing) •E nergy of Love - A How to Program to SelfEmpowerment and Self-Love, Written and Illustrated by Susan J Witt (Christain Faith Publishing) •T he EQ Intervention: Raising a Self-Aware Generation Through Social and Emotional Learning, by Adam L. Saenz (Greenleaf Book Group) •T he Friendship Upgrade: Trade Clickable Connections for Friendships that Matter, by Heather Dugan (Headline Books)
Series (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •F earless Series (Books 1-3), by Glede Browne Kabongo (Glede Browne Kabongo/ BrowneStar Media)
•P orter the Hoarder (The Nature Explorer, And
Pappy’s Perfect Pizza Party, And the Halloween Happening, And the Ransacked Room), by Sean Covel, Illustrated by Rebecca Swift (Hoarding Porter, LLC)
FINALISTS: •H ickory Doc’s Tales (The Pack: First Generation, The Remarkable Story of Willie The Crow, Solitary Toes and Brown Headed Cowbirds, Doc, Willie and The Pack: Secrets, Gifts, Family), by Linda Harkey, Illustrated by Mike Minick (on series) (Archway Publishing) •T he Alycat Series (Book 1-4), by Alysson Foti Bourque, Illustrated by Chiara Civati (Mascot Books) •T he Charlestown Connection, Beyond the Bridge, The Revenge of Liam McGrew, Murder in the Charlestown Bricks, by Tom MacDonald (Oceanview Publishing and Sparhawk Press) •T he Edwina Goodman Mysteries, 3 volumes (Physics Can Be Fatal; Death by Hitchcock; A Handful of Worldliness), by Elissa Grodin (Cozy Cat Press) •T he Prophecy: The Crest (Book 1), The Emerald (Book 2), The Destiny (Book 3), by Jerena Tobiasen (Jerena Tobiasen) •T he Star Hunters (Books 1, 2 & 3), by K.N. Salustro (Self-Published) •Y ellowstone Series (Summer of Fire, Rain of Fire, Lake of Fire), by Linda Jacobs, Illustrated by Janine Aberg - cover, Jim Tampa – maps (Goodreads Press)
Short Story Collections WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •F our Tales of Troubled Love, by Matthew James Babcock (Harvard Square Editions) •T he Lost Heifetz and Other Stories, by Michael Tabor (S&S BookEnds) FINALISTS: •B anjo Grease, Selected Stories, by Dennis Must (Red Hen Press) •G imme the Familiars, by Jessica Mehta, Illustrated by Diane Covington (Musehick Publications) •G race: Stories and a Novella, by Dan Burns, Illustrated by Kelly Maryanski (Chicago Arts Press) •N othing to Lose, by Kim Suhr (Cornerstone Press) •O ff the Rails, A Collection of Weird, Wicked, & Wacky Stories, by Jerome W. McFadden (Bethlehen Writers Group, LLC) •T his Old Stick, by Andrew Corin, Illustrated by Paul Smith (Cornerstone Ventures New Zealand) •U nblinking, by Lisa Lenzo (Wayne State University Press)
Social Justice
•S tay Mad, Sweetheart, by Heleen Kist
WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •H ummingbird in Underworld: Teaching in a Men’s Prison, A Memoir, by Deborah Tobola (She Writes Press)
•T he Enchantress of Atacama, by Richard
FINALISTS: •B eyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, by Anu Taranath, Illustrated by Ronald “Otts” Bolisay (Between the Lines Press) •H ousing and the City: Love vs. Hope, by Daniel Solomon (Schiffer Publishing) • I n All Fairness: Equality, Liberty, and the Quest for Human Dignity, edited by Robert M. Whaples, Michael C. Munger and Christopher J. Coyne (Independent Institute) • J ustice on the Ropes: Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, Fred W. Hogan, John Artis and the Wrongful Conviction Movement, by Jeff Beach and Fred W. Hogan (Outskirts Press) •W hen Hate Groups March Down Main Street: Engaging a Community Response, by Deborah Levine and Marc Brenman (Rowman & Littlefield)
Thriller
Spirituality WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •P rema Mala: A Garland of Poems, Prayers, and Meditations on Love, by Acyuta Gopi (Radha Govinda Publishing) FINALISTS: •B reast Cancer Meets Mindfulness: Surrendering to Life, by Cheryl Wilfong (Heart Path Press) •P oems of Earth and Spirit: 70 Poems and 40 Practices to Deepen Your Connection with Nature, by Kai Siedenburg, Illustrated by Christi Voenell (Our Nature Connection) •P rophecy on the River: My Journey to Waitaha, by Judith Hoch (Attar Books) •U nseen Worlds: Adventures at the Crossroads of Vodou Spirits and Latter-Day Saints, by Marilene Phipps (Calumet Editions) •W hen Bad Lands: How Not to Numb Out, Freak Out, or Bottom Out - Buddhist Style, by Alan Kent Anderson (HenschelHAUS)
Suspense WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •W e All Will Be Received, by Leslie Vryenhoek (Breakwater Books Ltd) FINALISTS: •A Dream to Die For, by Susan Z.Ritz (She Writes Press) •A shes in a Coconut, by Bo Kearns (Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC) •R evenge in Barcelona, by Kathryn Lane (Tortuga Publishing, LLC)
(Red Dog Press)
Francaviglia, Illustrated by Sarah Gayle (cover art) (Dancing Moon Press)
WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •S quared Away, by Alicia Dill (White Bird Publications) FINALISTS: •A Simple Lie, by Mary Bush (Bloodhound Publishing) •A lone, Together, Nevermore, by Thomas Stacey (Outskirts Press) •B oomwild, by Kildare (Kildare Press) •T he Bakken Blade, A Zeke Traynor Mystery, by Jeff Siebold (Siebold Group Consulting, LLC) •T he Price of Safety, by Michael Bland (World Castle Publishing)
Travel/Travel Guide WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •E verything You Need to Know About Wheelchair Accessible Cruising, by Sylvia Longmire (PreJax Press) FINALISTS: •C ity of Immortals, Père -Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, by Carolyn Campbell (Goff Books) •M y Life with Ndoto: Exploring Africa in a Forty-Year-Old Land Rover, by Teresa O’Kane (Flat Dog Books) •N avigating the Divide: Selected Poetry & Prose, by Linda Watanabe McFerrin (Alan Squire Publishing) •R OME: Keys to the City ~ the Astute Traveler’s Guide, by Patty Civalleri (1-TAKE, LLC) •W aking in Havana: A Memoir of AIDS and Healing in Cuba, by Elena Schwolsky (She Writes Press)
Women’s Issues (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •B raided: A Journey of a Thousand Challahs, by Beth Ricanati, MD (She Writes Press) •T he King & the Quirky: A Memoir of Love, Marriage, Domesticity, Feminism, and Self, by Heather Siegel (Regal House Publishing) FINALISTS: •# SheWins: Harrowing Stories from Women Who Survived Domestic Abuse, by Alisa Divine (Personal Power Press) •C omes with Furniture and People, by Charlotte Matthews (Black Rose Writing)
•E tre: Girls, Who Do You Want to Be?
(Wise Words for World-Changing Girls), by Illana Raia (Etre Press)
•N ot Your Usual Boob: The Good, Bad, and
Winky of Breast Cancer, by MK Meredith (Self-Published) •R eady to Fly: Stories of Strength and Courage to Inspire Your Journey Forward (Volume 2), by Crystal Blue (Ana Hata Publishing) •W omen Make Arkansas: Conversations with 50 Creatives, by Erin Wood (Et Alia Press)
Writing/Publishing (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •G reat Stories Don’t Write Themselves: CriteriaDriven Strategies for More Effective Fiction, by Larry Brooks (Writers Digest Books) •W rite On, Sisters! Voice, Courage, and Claiming Your Place at the Table, by Brooke Warner (She Writes Press) FINALISTS: •A Century of Autopoint, by Jonathan A. Veley (Self-Published) •L isten Up Writer--How Not to Write Like an Amateur, by Nikki Hanna (Patina Publishing) •P oems for the Writing: Prompts for Poets (Second Edition), by Valerie Fox and Lynn Levin, Illustrated by Donald Riggs (Texture Press) •T he Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy: Gambling, Drama, and the Unexpected, by Edwin Wong (Friesen Press) •T ouching the Future: My Odyssey from Print to Online Publishing, by Roger Fidler (Self-Published) •W riter Get Noticed!: A Strengths-Based Approach to Creating a Standout Author Platform, by Colleen M. Story (Midchannel Press)
Young Adult (12 Years To 16 Years) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •H eartmender, by V. Romas Burton (Monster Ivy Publishing) FINALISTS: •C ady and the Bear Necklace, by Ann Dallman (Henschel Haus Books) •D ear Jane, by Marina DelVecchio (Black Rose Writing) •P INTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History, by M.J. Evans (Dancing Horse Press) •T he Journey of an Acorn, by Corey Wolff (Transcendence Press) •T he Visionary, by Tevin Hansen, Illustrated by Shaun Cochran (Handersen Publishing)
Young New Adult (17 Years and up) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •V estal Virgin: Chosen for Rome, by Katherine Spada Basto, Illustrated by Duncan Eagleson (Painted Turtle Press) FINALISTS: •F og & Mist: the Canens Chronicles book 1 (a fairy tale retelling), by Kelsie Engen (Litera Scripta Manet) •M erged, by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl (Month9Books) •P rison of Mulberry, by J.P. Maximus (Self-Published) •S kyler’s Sophomore Soundtrack, Michael C. Barrett (Kindle Direct Publishing) •S liding into Home, by Nina Vincent (KDP)
Young Author (Written By Under Age 25) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •T he Enchanters’ Child, by Navya Sarikonda (IngramSpark) FINALISTS: •A Journey to Health- a body does not define you, by Lauren Minicozzi (Ocean Reeve) •E very Bright and Broken Thing, by Brian McBride (Wilder Ground Books) •F unny, You Don’t Look Autistic, by Michael McCreary (Annick Press) •T he Book of Secrets, by M.L. Little (Black Rose Writing) •T he Good Life, by Thomas Corrigan (iUniverse)
Best Cover Design (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •D rafts of a Suicide Note, by Mandy-Suzanne Wong, Illustrated by Heather Kettenis (Regal House Publishing, USA) FINALISTS: •L ove is a Rebellious Bird, by Elayne Klasson (She Writes Press) •M eet Me at the Farmers Market (2nd Edition), by Lisa Pelto, Illustrated by Paula S. Wallace (Reading is Key Publishing) •S hadow City, by Anna Mocikat (Black Rose Writing) •S omewhere Enchanted, by J.F.T., Illustrated by ZdravKo Herbico (Self-Published) •T he Chronicles and Conquesting Stem of Queen Sheba, by Isaac Alexis (Self-Published) •T he Enchanters’ Child, by Navya Sarikonda (IngramSpark) •U nblinking, by Lisa Lenzo (Wayne State University Press)
Best Cover Design (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •C onnections, by Charles R. Stinson (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) •T he Goodbye Diaries, by Marisa Bardach Ramel and Sally Bardach (Wyatt-MacKenzie) FINALISTS: •E mergence an Illustrated Memoire, Written and Illustrated by Cindy Louisette Johnson (The Design Group Press) •H ippie Woman Wild: Life Love on an Oregon Commune, by Carol Schlanger (Wyatt-MacKenzie) •L eopold’s Ice Cream: A Century of Tasty Memories 1919-2019, Foreword by President Jimmy Carter, by Melanie Bowden Simon (Mount Taygetus Press) •L isten Up Writer--How Not to Write Like an Amateur, by Nikki Hanna (Patina Publishing) •P aper Maps, No Apps: An Unplugged Travel Adventure, by Johnny Welsh, Illustrated by Elle Malone (Peak 1 Publishing LLC) •R esilient: My Story, God’s Glory, by Robin Terry (Ari Symone Publishing, LLC) •W omen Make Arkansas: Conversations with 50 Creatives, by Erin Wood Et Alia Press
Best Overall Design (Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): •M arlon McDoogle’s Magical Night, by Sean Covel, Illustrated by Diego Velasquez (Baby Buddha Publishing, LLC) FINALISTS: •D une Dragons, by Gretchen Rose, Illustrated by Dianita Ceron (Indigo River Publishing) •L ead On!, by Krista Betcher, Illustrated by Kari Vick (Beaver’s Pond Press) •N orris the Nostrileer, Written and Illustrated by Keli Colombini (Hoberman)
•O n the Day You Were Born, by Deborah
Chalmers, Illustrated by Erika Busse (Gatekeeper Press) •S mailholm, by C L Williams (Matador) •T hings of That Nature: Words for The Mystic Heart, Written and Illustrated by Dr. BethAnne K.W. (Golden Dragonfly Press)
Best Overall Design (Non-Fiction) WINNER ($100 PRIZE): TIE •A Century of Autopoint, by Jonathan A. Veley (Self-Published) •H ollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies, by Jill S. Tietjen, P.E. and Barbara Bridges (Lyons Press) FINALISTS: •A Home on the South Fork: An Early History of Acme-A Northwest Washington Community, by Margaret A Hellyer (South Fork Press) •A Matter of Light, The Art of Andre Pater, by Andre Pater and Contributors, Illustrated by Andre Pater/artist (Fincastle Publishing) •A mazing Thailand Festivals Pop-up Book, by Taveepong Limmakorn, Illustrated by Taveepong Limmakorn (Limmark Advertising & Printing Co., Ltd.) •B reathings: Tiny Stories for the Thin Places of Your Heart, by Marti Healy (The Design Group Press) •C onnections, by Charles R. Stinson (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) •E mergence an Illustrated Memoire, Written and Illustrated by Cindy Louisette Johnson (The Design Group Press) •T he Analog Sea Review, No. 2. An Offline Journal, edited by Jonathan Simons and Janos Tedeschi, Cover Illustrated by Joseph-Antoine d’Ornano (Analog Sea)
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• $1,500 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the best Fiction Book • $1,500 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the best Non-Fiction Book • $750 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the second place Fiction Book • $750 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the second place Non-Fiction Book • $500 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the third place Fiction Book • $500 Cash Prize and trophy awarded to the third place Non-Fiction Book • $100 Cash Prize and a Gold Medal awarded to the winner of each of the over 70 categories • Winners will be listed in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards catalog which will be distributed to thousands of book buyers, media, librarians, and others! • Finalist Medals will be awarded to five finalists in each of the over 70 categories
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