We sponsor the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and in 2008 are creating an online community for independent book publishing professionals including publishers, authors, and other publishing professionals and supporters of the indie book publishing industry.

What Is Indie Book Publishing?
What Are the Next Generation Indie Book Awards?
Who Are Independent Book Publishing Professionals?
How Do I Join IBPPG?
Click Here to Become a Member of IBPPG for Free!

In an article at CNN.com titled "If it's cool, creative, and different, it's indie," journalist Catherine Andrews wrote:

"The term 'indie' traditionally refers to independent art -- music, film, literature or anything that fits under the broad banner of culture -- created outside of the mainstream and without corporate financing."

Like other independent artists, many indie book publishers face challenges that the industry giants don't experience. We typically have to work a lot harder to get our books into retail stores (or our authors onto Oprah) and ultimately into the hands of readers. As Chris Anderson reports in his bestselling business book The Long Tail:

"More than 99 percent of music albums on the market today are not available in Wal-Mart. ... Same for any other leading retailer and practically any other commodity [including] books... The vast majority of products are not available at a store near you."

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards ("Indie Book Awards") is the most exciting and rewarding book awards program open to independent publishers and authors worldwide. The Indie Book Awards program was established by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group to recognize and honor the best independently published books of the year in 70 categories. Visit the Indie Book Awards website.

To help indie publishers and authors make important connections, the top 70 books in the 2008 Indie Book Awards will be reviewed by New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of Allen O’Shea Literary Agency for possible representation to publishers or one of Ms. Allen’s co-agents for possible representation in areas such as distribution, foreign rights, film rights, and other rights (unless an entrant prefers not to have the book forwarded to an agent). 

Ms. Allen has over 25 years of sales and marketing experience, including serving as Senior Vice President, Associate Publisher, and Director of Marketing for Harper Collins and directing sales and marketing teams for Simon & Schuster, Penguin Books and Avon Books. Ms. Allen has worked with many well-known authors including Stephen King, Ken Follett (author of a recent Oprah book club pick), Barbara Kingsolver, John Gray, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more.

Who Are Independent Book Publishing Professionals?

Independent book publishing professionals are people who are employed by or provide services to the independent book publishing industry. They include publishers, editors, writers, proofreaders, designers, marketing professionals, distributors, printers, agents, and others.

In 2008 we are developing an online community for independent book publishing professionals. We invite you to join us by becoming a member of the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group. 

How Do I Join IBPPG?

Membership in the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG) is open to:

• independent book publishing companies
• independent book publishing authors
• full-time and part-time employees of independent book publishing companies
• people and companies who provide services to the independent book publishing industry
• others who want to support and promote indie book publishing