Entries are now open for the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards [1], presented by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG) in conjunction with literary agent Marilyn Allen.
This is the largest international awards program exclusively for independent authors and publishers. Whether you’re a self-published author, e-book publisher, small press, mid-sized independent publisher, or university press, you are invited to enter if you have a book written in English that was released - or has a copyright date - in 2024, 2025, or 2026.
$10,000+ in prizes, including:
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$1,500 + trophy for Best Fiction Book
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$1,500 + trophy for Best Non-Fiction Book
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$750 + trophy for second-place in each category
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$500 + trophy for third-place in each category
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$100 cash prize + gold medal for all 80+ category winners
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Medals for every Finalist book
Plus, all Winners and Finalists receive:
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An invitation to the gala awards reception
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A full year of exposure on our website
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Your listing in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Catalog, shared with thousands of media contacts, librarians, booksellers, and industry pros
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The opportunity to display our Winner/Finalist award stickers on your book
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And the credibility, discoverability, and sales potential that come with being an award-winning author
But that’s not all:
The top 80 books will be sent for review by Marilyn Allen (or a co-agent), a respected New York literary agent with decades of experience at HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and more. Her clients have included bestsellers like Stephen King, Ken Follett, and Mary Higgins Clark.
The final deadline for the 2026 Awards Program is February 13, 2026.