#USA #Los Angeles #National Indie Excellence #NIEA Awards #Zoë Ruiz

Celebrating Independent Publishing

The National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA), a revered authority in recognizing outstanding independently published books, has announced the results of its 19th Annual competition. This esteemed event honors recent English-language publications from self-published authors and small to mid-sized presses across all literary genres. With the judging process now complete, the full roster of Winners and Finalists is available online, alongside recipients of the Sponsorship Prizes and Juror's Choice Awards, marking a triumphant year for independent publishing.

Since its inception in 2005, NIEA has established itself as a champion for the physical book, emphasizing its importance within the publishing industry by acknowledging both content quality and aesthetic design. The awards honor those who create high-quality publications that stand out in a competitive market. Every entry submitted undergoes a thorough review process carried out by a panel of seasoned industry professionals, including authors, editors, publishers, and book designers. Their decisions are based on comprehensive evaluation criteria, ensuring that the finest works are acknowledged.

The competition evaluates entries based on criteria that encompass both the written content of the books and the overall design, functionality, and informational value presented. This year, the panel of jurors faced fierce competition, often resulting in decisions being made based on the narrowest of margins when determining the sole Winner for each category. Such rigorous screening underscores the quality of the submissions received.

In addition to recognizing outstanding individual works, the Sponsorship Awards offer valuable professional development opportunities for awardees. This includes marketing support, consultations, and assistance with distribution, all aimed at propelling these authors and publishers further into the market. Furthermore, three exceptional titles among the Winners and Finalists received the coveted Juror's Choice Awards, which not only highlight the excellence of these works but also come with monetary prizes. The 2025 Juror's Choice awards were selected by the esteemed author, editor, and coach, Zoë Ruiz, adding significant prestige to the honorees.

Doug Fogelson, President of NIEA, emphasized the confluence of talent seen in this year’s entries: “Self-published, independent authors, and small to mid-sized publishers continue to impress with strong entries across every genre. The decisions made by our jurors often come down to the narrowest of margins when selecting a single Winner per category. The Team at NIEA stands behind each awardee as representatives of Excellence in their craft and the enduring value of books in print today.”

An exciting aspect of this renowned award is the opportunity for all winners to be included in the NIEA Speaker's Bureau at no additional cost. This can provide further visibility and professional opportunities that can greatly benefit their writing careers.

With the results now disclosed, anticipation builds for the upcoming 20th Annual NIEA competition, which is set to open in August 2025. This anniversary promises to be a celebration of independent literary achievements, encouraging authors and publishers alike to continue producing innovative works that captivate readers.

For more information about the National Indie Excellence Awards and to view the complete list of Winners and Finalists, visit www.indieexcellence.com. The recognition bestowed upon independent authors reflects their significant contribution to the literary landscape, inspiring others to share their stories with the world.