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The deadline for all entries is midnight on Sunday 8th March 2026.
Shortlists will be announced in due course and we will celebrate all the winners at a very special lunch in London on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
Welcome to the 2026 Independent Publishing Awards! Here’s a brief introduction to the Awards and why you should take part.
What are the Independent Publishing Awards?
The IPG set up the Awards in 2007 to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the independent publishing sector in the UK and Ireland. Nineteen years on, we are proud to have presented Awards to more than 200 companies and individuals, and celebrated hundreds more on the shortlists. You can see a rollcall of all the previous winners here.
The Independent Publishing Awards are managed by the IPG, supported by our valued partners in publishing, and judged by panels of impartial industry experts.
Why should I enter?
The Awards are the pinnacle of success in independent publishing. Winning one, or simply making the shortlists, can:
What are the categories?
The Independent Publishing Awards have 14 separate categories. There is sure to be at least one Award to suit your business—and usually more.
Four Publisher of the Year categories cover achievements in the trade, children’s, specialist and academic, professional and educational sectors. Other Awards recognise success in areas including international sales, audio, metadata, sustainability, diversity and AI. There are also categories for publishing newcomers, rising stars and the people who support publishing.
You can see the full list of Awards and their criteria here.
What’s the entry process?
It’s quick and easy to submit an entry to the Awards. We have some advice about what to include below. All submissions are treated in strict confidence.
Entries for the 2026 Independent Publishing Awards are now open! Click here to submit.
Whether you are a first-timer or seasoned entrant, please read the following notes about submissions.
Key dates
The deadline for all entries is midnight on Sunday 8th March 2026.
Shortlists will be announced in due course and we will celebrate all the winners at a very special lunch in London on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
Eligibility
The Awards are open to all IPG publisher members based in the UK and Ireland.
Costs
All entries are completely free, and you can submit as many as you like.
Submission requirements
Submissions are quick and easy and can be made via our dedicated entry platform.
Each category has different criteria that you should read before you start your entry. Our submissions form provides several questions to answer in a total of no more than 1,000 words. This approach keeps entries simple and ensures you address the right criteria, while creating a framework for our judges to compare submissions fairly.
We will also ask you for some basic information about your company and, in our Publisher of the Year categories, some financial information. This helps to give our judges a full picture of your company, so please include as much data as you can. All information is treated in confidence and will never be disclosed outside of the judging process.
If you like, you can upload images of five of your book covers and / or a catalogue from 2025 to accompany your entry. There is no obligation to do so, but it’s a chance to show judges your output. Please do not exceed the limit of 1,000 words or include any other attachments.
Remember that these Awards are for performance in 2025, so your entries should cover the calendar year. You may use previous years for context, but entries will be judged on achievements in 2025.
Categories
There are 14 Independent Publishing Awards to enter. Remember that each Award requires a separate submission that is tailored to its specific criteria. Full information about the categories can be found here.
Judging and the handling of your entry
The Independent Publishing Awards are judged by carefully chosen panels of impartial industry experts, who share decades of experience in publishing. They give all entries careful and equal attention and treat them in strict confidence.
More help
Unsure about categories to enter or want more information? We’ll do all we can to help you with your submissions, so please get in touch.
1. Understand the categories and criteria
Look carefully at the list of categories to decide which are best for you, then read the criteria on which they will be judged. The closer you stick to the criteria, the better the chances of success!
2. Find the right person to write the entry
The best entries to the Awards often come from business leaders or owners. While submissions are welcome from anyone, CEOs or MDs may have perspectives and passion that make submissions extra-special.
3. Celebrate your success
Don’t be shy! Celebrate your achievements and convey the passion you have for what you do. Try to engage the judges and take them inside your company.
4. Be open with your figures
We understand sensitivities about sharing financial data, but it really helps our judges to understand your company. It’s always treated in complete confidence.
5. Focus on 2025
Remember that our Awards are judged squarely on performance in the 2025 calendar year. Focus on achievements last year rather than past successes or future plans.
6. Show your evidence
Our judges like to see proof of any claims that you make about your performance. Sales figures or other hard data, and testimonials from customers, authors or partners, can be very powerful.
7. Don’t worry if it hasn’t been a best-ever year
Judges always review entries with the context of the market in mind. They know that a solid performance in challenging conditions may be just as impressive as a record year in easier markets.
8. Make each entry original
You are very welcome to enter as many Awards categories as you like—but remember that each one has different criteria. Rather than replicating your entry, make each one unique and focused on the requirements.
9. Don’t put it off!
There’s nothing to lose by entering the Awards, and so much to gain. Please don’t worry if you haven’t entered before or feel you don’t meet all of the criteria.
10. Ask for help
The IPG team are always happy to answer any queries and help you with your selection of categories to enter. Email us anytime.
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