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    Independent Press Award
    2026 Winners by Category

    Ingrid Moon

    Action/Adventure

    Ingrid Moon

    The Biohunter

    Bala Kumar

    Alternative Medicine

    Bala Kumar

    America’s Lifeline for Better Health: Preventive Care

    Griz Calderon

    Anthology

    Griz Calderon

    Chronicles of the Grim Reaper Volume 1

    Bettina Schaefer

    Biography: General

    Bettina Schaefer

    Mikhail Gorbachev - How he changed our lives

    DL Orton

    Book Cover Design-Fiction

    DL Orton

    Hive, Madders of Time, Book One

    Colin C. Campbell

    Business: Entrepreneurship & Small Business

    Colin C. Campbell

    Start. Scale. Exit. Repeat.

    Lawrence Kane & Kris Wilder

    Cancer

    Lawrence Kane & Kris Wilder

    When Cells Rebel: Your Martial Arts and Defeating Cancer

    Liz Fahey

    Chapter Books

    Liz Fahey

    The NOLO: Flood in the Desert

    Michelle Hood-Julien

    Childrens-Educational

    Michelle Hood-Julien

    In Grenada, what do you see?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About Dietary Fats.

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is My Blood Type?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is Albinism or How Does Someone Become an Albino?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Bones of the Ankle.

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Mediterranean Diet.

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Basilar Artery.

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What are Cytotoxic T Cells or Killer T Cells?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What Diseases Could I Get from Poor Hygiene?

    Steven Joseph

    Childrens-Humor

    Steven Joseph

    Snoodles in Space: Escape from Zoodletraz

    Helen Lee

    Childrens-Religion Fiction

    Helen Lee

    Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World: God Hears Every Prayer

    Dr. Susan Agbenoto

    Christian: Nonfiction

    Dr. Susan Agbenoto

    Restore Me! But Privately Please

    Greg Broadmore

    Comics and Graphic Novels: Mythic Adventures & Epic Journeys

    Greg Broadmore

    One Path Book One

    Judith Briles

    Cookbooks

    Judith Briles

    Cooking With Judith

    Martha Walandouw Lohn, Brian Kimmel

    Cultural Heritage

    Martha Walandouw Lohn, Brian Kimmel

    Blue Skies, Troubled Waters: An American Twin's WWII Odyssey in Minahasa, Indonesia

    Léonie Rosenstiel

    Death & Dying

    Léonie Rosenstiel

    They’re Coming for Your Elders and Your Inheritance: Ways to Protect Your Family, Mitigate the Damage, and Change the System

    Drew Tozer

    Environment

    Drew Tozer

    Feel-Good Homes

    Jack Fritscher, PhD

    Essays/Interviews

    Jack Fritscher, PhD

    Inventing the Gay Gaze: Rex, Peter Berlin, Arthur Tress, and Crawford Barton

    Anita Selzer

    Fine Arts

    Anita Selzer

    The Female Gaze in Art and Photography, Vol. 2

    Felix Leach and Nicholas Molden

    Green

    Felix Leach and Nicholas Molden

    Critical Mass: The One Thing You Need to Know About Green Cars

    Dr. Sherry McAllister

    Health & Fitness

    Dr. Sherry McAllister

    Adjusted Reality: Supercharge Your Whole-Being for Optimal Living and Longevity

    Gladys Martines

    Hispanic/Latin: Nonfiction

    Gladys Martines

    My Life: Can You Believe It!

    Edward Young

    History: World

    Edward Young

    Building Engines for War: Air-Cooled Radial Aircraft Engine Production in Britain and America in World War II

    Scott Eveloff MD

    Horror

    Scott Eveloff MD

    Do Not Resuscitate

    Dr. Marina Kostina

    Inspiration

    Dr. Marina Kostina

    52 Pieces: A Manual of Light to Survive the Abyss of Trauma

    Robin Carole

    Juvenile Nonfiction

    Robin Carole

    Grandma's Bucket of Mercy

    Brad Feld

    Leadership

    Brad Feld

    Give First: The Power of Mentorship

    Publisher: Ted Olczak

    Magazine

    Publisher: Ted Olczak

    Printed Word Review

    T.D. Severin

    Medical Mystery/Thriller

    T.D. Severin

    Deadly Vision

    James Bultema

    Military Fiction

    James Bultema

    Arctic Red

    Anne Marie Anderson

    Motivational

    Anne Marie Anderson

    Cultivating Audacity: Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win

    Michael Pronko

    Mystery

    Michael Pronko

    Tokyo Juku

    Christopher Johnston

    New Fiction (First-time published)

    Christopher Johnston

    Where You Come From Is Gone

    Rodney Smith Jr

    Nonprofit

    Rodney Smith Jr

    The 50 Yard Challenge – How a Simple Act Became a Nationwide Movement

    Rebecca Byron

    Paranormal Romance

    Rebecca Byron

    A Memory Not Mine

    Aeternus Costin

    Philosophy

    Aeternus Costin

    The Eye of God

    Tricia Easter

    Picture Books-All Ages

    Tricia Easter

    Perfectly Sunny - A Big-Hearted Hedgehog Finds Her Forever Home

    Heather Lang-Cassera

    Poetry: The Natural & Creative World

    Heather Lang-Cassera

    Firefall

    J.L Calder

    Political Thriller

    J.L Calder

    DoubleHelix: Book One in The Helix Project

    Rachel Callaghan

    Regional

    Rachel Callaghan

    Under Water

    Miriam Udel

    Religion: Nonfiction

    Miriam Udel

    Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Children's Literature

    Sri Kaza

    Sales & Marketing 

    Sri Kaza

    Unconvention: A Small Business Strategy Guide

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Science Fiction: Cosmic Expansionism (The "Hard" & Epic)

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Eternal Ledger ("The Rarak Chronicles “ Book 4)

    Sarah Barry

    Self-help: General

    Sarah Barry

    9 Habits of Happy Retirees

    Kregg P.J. Jorgenson

    Short Stories

    Kregg P.J. Jorgenson

    Six Stories Up: Tales of Whimsy, Imagination, and Hey, a Little Satisfying Comeuppance

    Mark Robert Rank

    Sociology

    Mark Robert Rank

    The Random Factor: How Chance and Luck Profoundly Shape Our Lives and the World Around Us

    Tom McKeown

    Sports

    Tom McKeown

    This Is Panther Country

    Fred Voccola

    Technology

    Fred Voccola

    The Coming Disruption: How AI First Will Force Organizations to Change Everything or Face Destruction

    David Benjamin

    Travel

    David Benjamin

    An Apartment in Paris

    Kris Farren Moss

    Well-being

    Kris Farren Moss

    Your Guide to Ritual Design: Redefine Your Day, Transform Your Life

    Julissa S. Germosén

    Women's Issues

    Julissa S. Germosén

    Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons, and Hard Truths From A Brown Latina In Tech

    Lynn Slaughter

    Young Adult Fiction

    Lynn Slaughter

    Missing Mom

    Nikki Alexander

    African American Fiction

    Nikki Alexander

    Arc of the Universe

    Robyn Rominger

    Animals/Pets

    Robyn Rominger

    A Land Filled With Horses

    Sheldon Collins

    Audiobooks

    Sheldon Collins

    The Legend of Valentine: An Ancient Historical Love Story

    Lance Byron Richey

    Biography: Historical

    Lance Byron Richey

    Champagne Times: Lawrence Welk and His American Century

    Dr. Frank Anderson

    Book Cover Design-Nonfiction

    Dr. Frank Anderson

    To Be Loved; A Story of Truth, Trauma and Transformation

    Jack Skeels

    Business: General

    Jack Skeels

    Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations

    Steve Jaffe

    Career

    Steve Jaffe

    The Layoff Journey From Dismissal to Discovery: Navigating the Stages of Grief After Job Loss

    Janet Skrzypek G.

    Childrens-Bilingual

    Janet Skrzypek G.

    The Llama That Wanted To Spit On Me—La Llama Que Queria Escupirme

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, How Can I Care for My Cast?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is Celiac Disease?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What are Interferons?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is Candida auris (C. auris) and Why Can It Be Dangerous?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Femoral Arteries.

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is a Hormone?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What are Great Foods to Eat as Long as I’m Not Allergic to Them?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What are Boils or Furuncles or a Carbuncle?

    Franco Aureliani

    Childrens-Fiction

    Franco Aureliani

    Chase Speedington Vol. 1: And the Last Dragon's Breath

    C.L. Olsen

    Childrens-Inspirational

    C.L. Olsen

    Old Crabby Turtle

    Chhavi Arya Bhargava

    Childrens-Religion Nonfiction

    Chhavi Arya Bhargava

    A Kids Book About Diwali

    Stefanie Halpern

    Coffee table book

    Stefanie Halpern

    100 Objects from the Collections of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

    Mike Kunkel

    Comics and Graphic Novels: Noir, Crime & Whimsical Heroism

    Mike Kunkel

    Herobear and the Kid Vol. 1: The Inheritance

    James Bultema

    Crime fiction

    James Bultema

    Invaders of the Heartland

    Stephen Ford

    Cultural and Social Issues

    Stephen Ford

    No Free Speech for Hate

    Terry McNiff

    Divorce

    Terry McNiff

    Why Breakups Are So Hard: How We Can Help

    Max Moyer

    Epic Fantasy

    Max Moyer

    Zodak - The Last Shielder

    David Catuhe

    Fantasy

    David Catuhe

    Menilmonea: The Cycle of the Titans - Book One

    Mark Downer

    General Fiction

    Mark Downer

    Ghosts of the Past: The Search For A Lost WWII Art Collection Worth Killing For

    Elizabeth A. Tucker

    Grief: Fiction

    Elizabeth A. Tucker

    The Pale Flesh of Wood

    Hoyt Rogers

    Hispanic / Latin: Fiction

    Hoyt Rogers

    Return to Dawn

    Teri M Brown

    Historical Fiction

    Teri M Brown

    Daughters of Green Mountain Gap

    David Benjamin

    Holiday

    David Benjamin

    Christmas in a Jugular Vein

    Tony Jeton Selimi

    How-to & Business: Motivational

    Tony Jeton Selimi

    Climb Greater Heights

    Miriam Udel

    Judaism

    Miriam Udel

    Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Children's Literature

    Kathleen Brehony

    LGBTQ Fiction

    Kathleen Brehony

    The Third Act

    Richard Danzig

    Legal Thriller

    Richard Danzig

    The Collectors: A Chance Cormac Legal Thriller

    Christina Garnett

    Marketing & Public Relations

    Christina Garnett

    Transforming Customer–Brand Relationships: Use Emotional Connection To Build Loyalty

    Mitchell Raff

    Memoir

    Mitchell Raff

    Little Boy, I Know Your Name

    Jim Loveless

    Military Nonfiction

    Jim Loveless

    Avoiding Muddy Foxholes: A Story of an American Bombardier

    Roberta Samuels

    Multicultural Fiction

    Roberta Samuels

    Vanished, A Valuable African Statue Stolen in Southwest France

    Chuck Graham

    Nature

    Chuck Graham

    Paddling into a Natural Balance, Stories of Kayaking and Conservation around Channel Islands National Park

    Keith V. Lucas

    New Nonfiction (First time published)

    Keith V. Lucas

    Impact: How to Inspire, Align, and Amplify Innovative Teams

    A.M. Adair

    Novella

    A.M. Adair

    Origin Story

    Dr. Christine M. Silverstein

    Parenting & Family

    Dr. Christine M. Silverstein

    Wrestling Through Adversity - Empowering Children, Teens, & Young Adults to Win in Life

    Ana Abrão

    Photography

    Ana Abrão

    Kalasha - Photographs and stories of the Kalash people, an animist minority from the mountains of Pakistan

    Chad Billmyer

    Picture Books-Preschool

    Chad Billmyer

    Curly Sue and the Beetle

    Stephen C. Pollock

    Poetry: Time, Transition & Spiritual Evolution

    Stephen C. Pollock

    Exits

    Maria Ingstrom

    Psychiatry/Psychology

    Maria Ingstrom

    Restrained: A journey through psychosis as a doctor and the search for compassionate care

    Annie Dike

    Relationships

    Annie Dike

    Clovis

    Nancy Herkness

    Romance

    Nancy Herkness

    Royal Caleva: Luis

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Science Fiction: Cosmic Expansionism (The "Hard" & Epic)

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Infinite Ledger ("The Rarak Chronicles “ Book 3)

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Science Fiction: Cosmic Expansionism (The "Hard" & Epic)

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Bitcoin Galaxy: Bridging Civilizations Through Decentralization ("The Rarak Chronicles “ Book 1)

    Angela Chee

    Self-help: Motivational

    Angela Chee

    The Power of the Only: Own Your Voice, Thrive in Any Environment

    Tom Miner

    Social Media

    Tom Miner

    Social First Brands: How Modern Brands Create Community, Loyalty, and Growth

    Andrew Snook

    Specialty Books

    Andrew Snook

    The History of the Canadian Crane Rental Sector

    Roselyn Teukolsky

    Suspense

    Roselyn Teukolsky

    A Reluctant Spy

    Micol Beltramini

    Teen

    Micol Beltramini

    Heartbreak Hotel

    Stacey Andrade King

    True Crime

    Stacey Andrade King

    Until She’s Found: A Daughter’s Journey of Love, Loss, and Justice Taken Away

    CK Van Dam

    Western Fiction

    CK Van Dam

    Iron Horse Claim: On the Dakota Frontier

    Zelly Ruskin

    Women’s Fiction

    Zelly Ruskin

    Not Yours to Keep

    Shaine Hobdy

    Young Adult Nonfiction

    Shaine Hobdy

    FLEX: Connect, Empower, & Lead - A Teen's Guide to Leadership

    Jeffrey Weiss

    Aging/Midlife

    Jeffrey Weiss

    Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Life

    Camie Putchaven

    Animals/Pets-Childrens

    Camie Putchaven

    Can I Pet This Dog?

    Mark Haertzen

    Autobiography

    Mark Haertzen

    STAY THIRSTY: A Serial Entrepreneur's Tale of Success & Failure

    Carla Crane Osborne

    Book Cover Design-Childrens

    Carla Crane Osborne

    Georgia's No-Nonsense Nose

    Gil Gillenwater

    Book Interior Design Nonfiction

    Gil Gillenwater

    Hope on the Border

    Tony Jeton Selimi

    Business: Motivational & How-to

    Tony Jeton Selimi

    Climb Greater Heights

    Krista Huebner

    Caregiving-General

    Krista Huebner

    BOOMERANG

    Raquel Rose

    Childrens-Board Books

    Raquel Rose

    My First Examen

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Humerus Bone.

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, How Do Genes Get Passed to Children?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, When Should I Go to the Emergency Department?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is Smallpox?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is Leukemia?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is Cytokine Cell Proliferation?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, What is a Better Way to Treat Muscle Injuries?

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Childrens-Educational Series

    Michael Dow, RN, MS

    Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Kidneys.

    Doreen Lindahl

    Childrens-Holiday

    Doreen Lindahl

    A. Nonny Mouse: Magical Moon Mouse Finds Merry Christmas

    Suchi Sairam

    Childrens-Motivational

    Suchi Sairam

    Singing Surya Dreams to Dance

    Jacob R. Klein

    Christian: Fiction

    Jacob R. Klein

    Glory Spirit: Apostles Carrying the Story

    Justin Jordan

    Comics and Graphic Novels: High-Stakes Sci-Fi & Speculative Action

    Justin Jordan

    Breaklands Vol. 1

    Danila Botha

    Contemporary Novel

    Danila Botha

    A Place For People Like Us

    Gisella Rose

    Cross Genre

    Gisella Rose

    ELIXIR: A Journey into Ancestral Alchemology

    Lawrence Ford

    Current Events 

    Lawrence Ford

    The World Doesn't Need You: The End of Work: Reclaiming Purpose in the Age of AI

    Karen V. Hansen

    Education

    Karen V. Hansen

    Working-Class Kids and Visionary Educators in a Multiracial High School: A Story of Belonging

    Caytlyn Brooke

    Erotica

    Caytlyn Brooke

    A Widow's Wish

    Dr. Stacker

    Finance

    Dr. Stacker

    Beginner’s Guide to Growing Wealth and Investing: Planting Seeds & Growing Riches

    Barbara Stone

    Gift Books

    Barbara Stone

    So Much to Drool About: Lessons for Living Large

    Rita Henry

    Grief: Nonfiction

    Rita Henry

    Because of Amy: How My Daughter's Death Gave Me Life (And How Your Pain Can Free You Too)

    Hoyt Rogers

    Hispanic / Latin: Fiction

    Hoyt Rogers

    Midnight at Sea

    Ronald Gruner

    History: United States

    Ronald Gruner

    COVID WARS: America’s Struggle Over Public Health and Personal Freedom

    Ryan Blosser, Trevor Piersol

    Home & Garden

    Ryan Blosser, Trevor Piersol

    Mulberries in the Rain

    W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr.

    Humor

    W. Kenneth Tyler, Jr.

    Hunting the Red Fox

    Rannah Gray with Madelyn and Katherine Tom

    Juvenile Fiction

    Rannah Gray with Madelyn and Katherine Tom

    Search for the Missing Spices

    John Van Hoesen

    LGBTQ Nonfiction

    John Van Hoesen

    Insist That They Love You: Craig Rodwell and the Fight for Gay Pride

    Joseph Howse

    Literary Fiction AND World Literature

    Joseph Howse

    The Circus and the Atom, (Next Year’s Snow, Book 2)

    Kathleen Brewer-Smyth

    Medical

    Kathleen Brewer-Smyth

    Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Neuroscience of Trauma, Resilience and Healing throughout the Life Course

    Paul Cicchini

    Middle Grade

    Paul Cicchini

    The Central Park Irregulars

    Victoria Basil

    Mind, Body, Spirit

    Victoria Basil

    Star People's Wisdom: Messages Beyond the Stars for Human Awakening

    Tom Locke

    Music

    Tom Locke

    Moments In Time: Stories About Artists And Songs Of The 50s, 60s, And 70s. For Fans Of Music ... From A Music Fan

    Kara M. Zone

    New Adult Fiction

    Kara M. Zone

    Cinders Burn at Midnight: Book One in the Trium Perfectum Series

    Nate Regier PhD

    Nonfiction

    Nate Regier PhD

    Compassionate Accountability

    R.J. Halbert

    Paranormal Mystery/Thriller

    R.J. Halbert

    SERVANT: The Goodpasture Chronicles (Book 2)

    Laura Muirhead

    Personal Growth

    Laura Muirhead

    A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Life

    Pearl G. Alimo, Meghan K. Alimo

    Picture Books-Ages 4-8

    Pearl G. Alimo, Meghan K. Alimo

    Oh No! My Hedgehog is Gone

    Ellen Hernandez

    Poetry: Human Identity & Connection

    Ellen Hernandez

    She/Her

    Ralph H. Lehman

    Political

    Ralph H. Lehman

    The Illusory Bargain: Liberty in the Aftermath of the 17th Amendment

    Kathryn Troutman

    Reference

    Kathryn Troutman

    Transitioning Your Federal Resume to Private Industry

    Nicholas Teeguarden

    Religion: Fiction

    Nicholas Teeguarden

    The Copper Scroll

    Eve M. Riley

    Romantic Suspense

    Eve M. Riley

    The Escape

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Science Fiction: Cosmic Expansionism (The "Hard" & Epic)

    Rakesh Rajagopal

    Bitcoin Galaxies ("The Rarak Chronicles “ Book 2)

    Francis Malka

    Science Fiction: Existential & Social Resilience (The "Soft" & Dystopian)

    Francis Malka

    Erasing Emily

    Dr. Pawan Bareja

    Self-help: Spiritual

    Dr. Pawan Bareja

    Reignite Your Power: Resolving Trauma Through Mindfulness

    Paul Comfort

    Social/Political Change

    Paul Comfort

    The New Future of Public Transportation

    Natasha Sumner

    Spirituality

    Natasha Sumner

    Accept Who You Are: And Witness Your Reality Transform

    J.L. Hancock

    Techno-thriller

    J.L. Hancock

    The Spear and the Sentinel

    Michael Amos Cody

    Thriller

    Michael Amos Cody

    Streets of Nashville

    Catia Batalha

    Visionary Fiction

    Catia Batalha

    Echoes of the Timeless

    Mark E. Miller

    Western Nonfiction

    Mark E. Miller

    A Sometimes Paradise: Reflections on Life in a Wyoming Ranch Family

    Joseph Howse

    World Literature AND Literary Fiction

    Joseph Howse

    The Circus and the Atom, (Next Year’s Snow, Book 2)

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