Congratulations to the Winners & Finalists of the 2026 International Book Awards!
   




For Immediate Release
June 2026

Contact: American Book Fest
E-mail Press Contact




AMERICAN BOOK FEST™ ANNOUNCES
WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF
THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS™

Mainstream & Independent Titles Score Top Honors in
the 17th Annual International Book Awards™



LOS ANGELES, JUNE 2026 – American Book Fest announced the winners and finalists of THE 2026 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (IBA), one of the world’s largest international book award programs for mainstream, indie, and self-published titles. Over 400 winners and finalists were announced in over 100 categories. Awards were presented for titles published in 2020-2026.

Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, said this year’s contest yielded thousands of entries from authors and publishers around the world, which were then narrowed down to the final results.

Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Little Brown Spark, Wiley, Wipf and Stock, Routledge, Bloomsbury Academic, Springer Nature, Thomas Nelson, Lonely Planet, HCI Press, Forge, Johns Hopkins University Press, Princeton University Press, Harvard Business Review Press, Rutgers University Press and hundreds of national and international Independent Houses contribute to this year’s Outstanding Competition!

Keen says of the awards, "Over our 17-year history, thousands of self-published and indie authors have leveraged the promotional power of their International Book Award to increase online recognition, enhance their title’s credibility, and garner more attention in the crowded book buying marketplace."

Full results of the 17th Annual International Book Awards

Winners and finalists of this year’s contest join a prestigious group of past laureates, including Pope Francis, George Saunders, Vanessa Williams, Kitty Kelley, Anne Geddes, Daymond John, Mark Nepo and many others. Visit the Award Laureate page for an expanded list.

American Book Fest covers books from all sections of the publishing industry—mainstream, independent, & self-published. A 23-year timeline and award archives

American Book Fest sponsors four separate award programs throughout the year. Many authors and publishers enter one or more contests, depending on their publication and marketing timeline. The 2026/2027 Submission Schedule

American Book Fest has an active social media presence, with over 131,000 current Facebook fans.

American Book Fest on Facebook




  AWARD WINNING TITLES INCLUDE:
   Full Results of the 2026 International Book Awards

Animals/Pets: General
Zen and the Art of Dog Training: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Ourselves by Adam Halleck
Pure Ink Press

Animals/Pets: Narrative Nonfiction
Milo: The Weight of a Dog's Heart: A Labrador's Guide to Love, Loss and Mild Crime by Anna Barwinek
Independently Published

Anthologies: Nonfiction
Unleashing the Courageous Feminine: 13 Stories of Strength, Grace and Awakening Through Adversity by Laura Joan Cornell
Ananda Press

Art
French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston by Katie Hansom, Julia Welch, Ted Gott & Miranda Wallace, with contributions from Angela Hesson, Cathy Leahy & Meg Slater
National Gallery of Victoria

Autobiography/Memoir
Belonging to the World by Barry Hoffner
Girl Friday Books

Best Cover Design: Fiction
PABLO by Mar Andersons
kidstori

Best Cover Design: Nonfiction
The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life by Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN
Little, Brown Spark

Best Interior Design / Illustrations
100 Objects from the Collections of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research by Stefanie Halpern
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

Best New Fiction
ICEFALL by Michael Newman and Jon Land
Permuted Press

Best New Nonfiction
What You Need to Know About AI by James Wang
Manuscripts LLC

Biography: General
Decoding the Unicorn: A New Look at Dag Hammarskjöld by Sara Causey
Independently Published

Business: Careers
Scary Good: Discovering Life Beyond the Sunday Scaries by Angie Callen
The Modern Coach Press

Business: Entrepreneurship & Small Business
The Elephant in the Family Room: Managing the Complexities of Legacy Businesses by René Sonneveld
Guiding Lens Publishing, Montevideo


Business: General
The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation by Phil Le-Brun & Jana Werner
Harvard Business Review Press

Business: Management & Leadership
The Strategy Trap: Why Companies Fail at Execution and How to Get It Right by Kevin Ertell
Ideapress Publishing

Business: Marketing & Advertising
The Medium is the Mirror: The Reformation Over Truth Reshaping Our Relationships, Politics and Sacred Beliefs by Tim Love
Internationalist Press

Business: Motivational
Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Avery / Penguin Random House

Business: Personal Finance/Investing
IMPUESTOS EN ESTADOS UNIDOS: Guía práctica para inmigrantes by Fabiola I. Rivera, PhD.
Independently Published

Business: Real Estate
Fearless Foundations by Ryan Duffy, Jordan Holmes, Mike Sebastian, Vinci Sevilla Jr., Andrew Boer, Bill Beck
Cash Street Advisors Press

Business: Reference
The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management by John Hillen
eConcise

Business: Technology
Cognitive Kin: How to Work, Win, and Make Meaning with Agentic AI by Christophe Kolb and Jan Rosen
Ideapress Publishing

Business: Writing/Publishing
Engaging Employees Through Strategic Communication by Mark Dollins and Jon Stemmle
Routledge Taylor Francis

Children's Educational
Adventure Awaits by Ky Furneaux
Applesauce Press

Children's Fiction
Trapped by Bella Olson
BenBella

Children's Mind/Body/Spirit
The Book of Kindness by Egor Klopenko
IndependentArt

Children's Nonfiction
Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce Story by Matthew A. Tower
Raja Media LLC

Children's Novelty & Gift Book
Proud To Be Me by Ann Van Heest, MD and Deborah Bohn, MD and illustrated by Rick Korab
Gillette Children's Healthcare Press


Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction
PABLO by Mar Andersons
kidstori

Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Nonfiction
Owls 貓頭⿃ by Kuo, Mei-Fen / Wang, Chih-Chung / Wei, Chiahsing
Council For Hakka Affairs of Taichung City Government

Children's Picture Book: Softcover Fiction
The Vacation Kitten by Jessica Spawn & Vicki Lawrence
Independently Published

Children's Picture Book: Softcover Nonfiction
One Million Times I Love You by Renn James
Renn James Publishing

Children's Religious
On The Ranch with Cowboy Luke by Bianca Pierce
Lark and Jay Press

Current Events
Polar War: Submarines, Spies, and the Struggle for Power in a Melting Arctic by Kenneth R. Rosen
Simon & Schuster

Education/Academic
Class Dismissed: When Colleges Ignore Inequality and Students Pay the Price by Anthony Abraham Jack
Princeton University Press

Fiction: African American
M: The Mystical Odyssey Of Harriet E. Wilson by Alison Clarke
Oprelle Publishing

Fiction: Anthologies
Honor: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Anthology edited by Z.S. Diamanti
Golden Griffin Press

Fiction: Cross-Genre
The Lie: A Novel by Jude Berman
She Writes Press

Fiction: Fantasy
Guard in the Garden by Z.S. Diamanti
Golden Griffin Press

Fiction: General
Open Bar: A Novel by Dan Schorr
Spark Press

Fiction: Historical
The Sound of a Thousand Stars by Rachel Robbins
Alcove

Fiction: Horror
Blood of the Damned: A Medieval Vampire Thriller by Antony J. Stanton
Independently Published

Fiction: Inspirational
Daughter of Blue City: A Novel of Coming-of-Age Through Revolutionary China by Apple An
Voices Heard Publishing, LLC

Fiction: LGBTQ+
The Third Act by Kathleen Brehony
Independently Published

Fiction: Literary
The Sound of a Thousand Stars by Rachel Robbins
Alcove

Fiction: Multicultural
Song of Hummingbird Highway by K.M. Cookie
Koehler Books

Fiction: Mystery/Suspense
One of Us Must Die by Zelly Ruskin
She Writes Press

Fiction: New Age
108: An Eco-Thriller by Dheepa R. Maturi
GFB, an imprint of Girl Friday Productions

Fiction: Novella
Lights Out Lizzie by James Hanna
Sand Hill Review Press

Fiction: Religious
Golden Flight by Lisajoy Sachs
Historium Press

Fiction: Romance
Between the Lines by Tracey Magruder
Independently Published

Fiction: Science Fiction
ICEFALL by Michael Newman and Jon Land
Permuted Press

Fiction: Short Story
Woman of the Hour: Fifty Tales of Longing and Rebellion by Claire Polders
Vine Leaves Press

Fiction: Thriller/Adventure
ICEFALL by Michael Newman and Jon Land
Permuted Press

Fiction: Visionary
108: An Eco-Thriller by Dheepa R. Maturi
GFB, an imprint of Girl Friday Productions

Fiction: Western
The Far Reach of Yesterday by Christine Echeverria Bender
Caxton Press

Fiction: Women's Fiction
Learning to Whistle: A Novel by Tess Perko
She Writes Press

Fiction: Young Adult
Daughter of Blue City: A Novel of Coming-of-Age Through Revolutionary China by Apple An
Voices Heard Publishing, LLC

Health: Addiction & Recovery
Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over by Mary Alice Stephens
Sibylline Press

Health: Aging/50+
Midlife New Life: Living Consciously in Midlife and Beyond by Eileen Caroscio, Sandy Demarest, & Paul Ward
River Grove Books

Health: Alternative Medicine
Indoor Epidemic: 93% Inside Steals Sleep, Focus and Years — The 7% Outdoor Rx Restores Them by John La Puma, M.D.
Wellness Imprints

Health: Cancer
Too Strong For Your Own Good: Success With Soul by Anette DeMattio
10-10-10 Publishing

Health: Death & Dying
The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One Through the End of Life by Suzanne B. O'Brien, RN
Little, Brown Spark

Health: Diet & Exercise
The Hardiness Effect: Grow from Stress, Optimise Health, Live Longer by Dr. Paul Taylor
Wiley

Health: General
Adjusted Reality: Supercharge Your Whole-Being for Optimal Living and Longevity by Dr. Sherry McAlliser
Forbes Books

Health: Psychology/Mental Health
Staying Married is the Hardest Part: A Memoir of Passion, Secrets and Sacrifice by Bonnie Comfort
She Writes Press

Health: Women's Health
Body Image Inside Out: A Revolutionary Approach to Body Image Healing by Deb Schachter, MSW & Whitney Otto, MA, PCC
Sheldon Press, Hachette UK

History: General
100 Objects from the Collections of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research by Stefanie Halpern
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

History: Military
Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters Book 2: The Many Tiny Mistakes That Changed the World Forever - Premier Edition by Jared Knott
Jefferson Central Publishing

History: United States
With Justice for Some: Politically Charged Criminal Trials in the Early 20th Century That Helped Shape Today's America by Lise Pearlman
Regent Press 2026 2nd Edition (250th Anniversary)

Home & Garden
Bridet Beari Color Rules: A Guide to Choosing and Using Color at Home by Susan M. Jamieson
BB Press

Humor/Comedy/Satire
Come Sit With Me And Let's Talk by Brian Edwards
Palmetto Publishing

LGBTQ+ Nonfiction
The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: Interviews, Itineraries, and Inspiration from Queer Insiders in 50+ Proud Places by Alicia Valenski
Lonely Planet

Multicultural Nonfiction
Sun Shining on Morning Snow: a Memoir of Identity, Loss, and Living Boldly by Ingrid Hu Dahl
Page Two

New Age: Nonfiction
Soul Signature Numerology by Ann Perry
Ann Perry Publishing

Nonfiction: Creative
Motion Dazzle: A Memoir of Motherhood, Loss, and Skating on Thin Ice by Jocelyn Jane Cox
Vine Leaves Press

Nonfiction: Cross-Genre
We Are As Gods: A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance (Exponential Technology Series) by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler
Simon and Schuster

Nonfiction: General
Polar War: Submarines, Spies, and the Struggle for Power in a Melting Arctic by Kenneth R. Rosen
Simon & Schuster

Nonfiction: Inspirational
Pure Grit: Stories of Remarkable People Living with Physical Disability by Lily Collison and Kara Buckley
Gillette Children's Healthcare Press

Nonfiction: Narrative
Inheritance: Love, Loss, and the Legacy of the Holocaust by Charlie Scheidt with Kat Rohrer
Rutgers University Press

Novelty & Gift Book
Boomerang by Krista Huebner
Independently Published

Parenting & Family
A Mindful Teen: Helping Today's Teenagers Thrive through Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Nonjudgement by Greg Hammer, MD with Eric Wentworth and John P. Rettger, PhD
Bloomsbury Academic

Performing Arts: Film, Theater, Dance, Music
Come Sit With Me And Let's Talk by Brian Edwards
Palmetto Publishing

Photography
Door County. Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. by Thomas J. Jordan
Jordan
aaa

Poetry: Anthologies
100 Poems & Possibilities for Healing Volume 3 by Laura Di Franco
Brave Healer Productions

Poetry: Contemporary
Conjuring the Hurricane: The Best Way to Save Your Life is Any Way You Can by Sarah Hanson
Inked Elephant Publishing

Poetry: General
When the Light is Mine: Poetry for the People by Chaz Holesworth
Independently Published

Poetry: Narrative
Variations on Tzara: The Son-of-a-Narcissist-Mother's Guide Book by Jan Škrdlík
Musical Forge

Poetry: Nature
Reverent Flora: The Arabian Desert's Botanical Bounty by Diana Woodcock
Shanti Arts

Poetry: Religious
Love Letters to the Soul by Alana Grainger
IngramSpark

Religion: Christian Inspirational
Redeeming the Post-Affair Divorce: Heal Your Life, Restore Your Faith After Infidelity Breaks Up Your Marriage by Linda J. MacDonald, M.S.
Healing Counsel Press

Religion: Christianity
Rejoicing in His Glory: Unleash Joy and Freedom to Transform Your Soul by Kim S. Kinney
Pearls of Glory Publishing

Religion: Eastern
The Journey of Aum by Kalpana Palkhiwala
Zen Opus, Ahmedabad, India

Religion: General
Manna Songs: Stories of Jewish Culture & Heritage edited by Diane Gottlieb
ELJ Editions

Science
What You Need to Know About AI by James Wang
Manuscripts LLC

Self-Help: General
Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Avery / Penguin Random House

Self-Help: Motivational
The Peace Guidebook: How to Cultivate Hope, Healing, and Harmony for the Good of Humankind by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman
HCI / Simon & Schuster

Self-Help: Relationships
Mend or Move On: A Guide to Healing and Leaving Toxic Relationships by Kate King
Johns Hopkins University Press

Social Change
Power, Race, and Justice: The Restorative Dialogue We Will Not Have by Theo Gavrielides
Routledge

Spirituality: General
Taillights on the Road to Healing by Kenneth Allen Burr
Koehler Books

Spirituality: Inspirational
Sacred Crossroads: The Path Appears When You Take The First Step by Mitch Russo
Mindful Guidance, LLC

Sports
Lootie's World Run: The Extraordinary True Story of the Fastest Woman to Have Run Around the World by Marie Leautey
Mascot Books

Travel: Guides & Essays
A Taste of Madagascar: Culinary Riches of the Red Island by Emmanuel Laroche
Post Hill Press

True Crime: Nonfiction
Through the Lens of a Monster: A Serial Killer on Death Row, an Unsolved Murder List, and an Inmate's Deadly Play for Redemption by William A. Noguera
Sandra Jonas Publishing

Women's Issues / Women's Studies
Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness by Deb Miller
She Writes Press

Young Adult: Nonfiction
Beyond The Surface: Discovering Deeper Purpose, A Devotional Journey Through Ecclesiastes for Teens and Young Adults by Lenora E. Trembath
Amazon / Ingram Spark




CALL FOR ENTRIES!
2027 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS

Welcome to the 18th Annual International Awards!
  • Open to all 2022–2027 Published Books with an ISBN.
  • E-mail Submission Now Available!
  • 2010–2021 titles are welcome in our sister program, The American Legacy Book Awards
  • Entry Deadline: March 31, 2027
  • Winners & Finalists will be announced online in June 2027
Click Here for Complete Information



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