Best Indie Book Award® Has Named The Best Independent Books Of 2024

(PRUnderground) November 21st, 2024

Ninety-nine indie authors, illustrators, and book cover designers from around the globe have been named as winners of the 2024 Best Indie Book Award® (Otherwise known as BIBA®). This year, BIBA® honored authors from the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Spain. These amazing books are currently on display on the BIBA® website.

This year’s $2,000 dollar BIBA® Book of the Year grand prize went to author Richie Frieman for his book The Optimistics. The book is an inspiring true story of three strangers, Dennis, Mike, and Jim, all battling Young-Onset Dementia, who became brothers through their incurable illness. Forming a bond of optimism with one another, they dubbed themselves “The Optimistics” as a way to share positivity through the Alzheimer’s community. The book focuses on Frieman’s emotional experience of a nearly two-year journey interviewing dozens of care partners and individuals with dementia across the country to share their unbreakable desire to remain optimistic.

2024 marked the 12th year of the International BIBA® contest, which consists of a literary award, an illustration award, and a book cover design award.

“Authors who compete in the Best Indie Book Award® contests understand the value of standing out in the crowd. With hundreds of millions of self-published books being sold every year, it’s easy for an author to drown in a sea of electronic pulp. Winning a BIBA® can go a long way to help an author’s visibility and credibility.”

“Our purpose at BIBA® is to better Indie authors and to award excellence in writing. This year, we have had an amazing number of outstanding books, particularly in the non-fiction categories; Indie authors are crafting some amazing work. The competition gets fiercer every year, and we remain dedicated to our goal of creating a winning status that readers can rely on.”

BIBA® defines Indie (Independent) authors as those who are engaged in self-publishing. This includes books published by small presses, university presses, independent partners, hybrid publishers, or self-publishing arms of major publishers.

The 2024 BIBA® Winners Are:

Book of the Year!

Non-Fiction: Dementia

The Optimistics

Richie Frieman

Action

The Warmaker: A Black Spear Novel

Benjamin Spada

LitRPG Adventure

An Unexpected Hero

Rhett C Bruno & Jaime Castle

Children

(Ages 4-8)

What Do I Want To Be?

Curious Marsh

Children’s Humor

(Ages 4-8)

Chalk Ninjas and the Driveway Dojo

Steve Morgan

Children’s Middle Grade

The Go-KartAstrophe

Caron Pescatore

Tween

The Pirate’s Curse: Brigands of the Compass Rose

Toni Runkle & Steve Webb

Young Adult

Twice Removed

Zee Lacson

Fantasy

Tabula Rasa

Paul L. Centeno

Supernatural

imPerfect Magic

C. N. Rowan

Paranormal

The Burn Street Haunting

Richard Gadz

Historical Fiction

Brave In Season

Jon Volkmer

Humor/Satire: Christmas Misadventure

The Reign of the Anti-Santas

Colin Dodds

LGBTQ2 Memoir

How To Burn A Rainbow

Karl Dunn

LGBTQ2 Fiction

The Touch of Her Voice

Sara Scott

Literary Fiction: Coming of Age

The Cusser Club

Randall Northcutt

Cozy Mystery

Boomsters: An Unexpected Adventure

David Marks

Novella

The Woodcutter’s Children

Jane C. Van Tuyl

Romance

The Insufferable Adam James

Brooklyn Dean

Science-Fiction

Harbinger

PA Vasey

Poetry Collection

A Spell For Living

Keisha-Gaye Anderson

Short Story Collection

The Healing Book

Dustin Grinnell

Rap-Style Epic Poem

Killa: A Mixtape Novella

Mario Moreno

Suspense/Thriller

All It Takes

Ali Steed

Christian Men’s Devotional

Thoughts For Men: 100 Short Devotions To Fortify Gospel Thinking

Jay Flagg

Christian Inspirational

The Sonnets of Laina’s Life

Keith Lilek

Christian Non-Fiction

The Breakthrough Method

Cathy Morenzie

Christian Fiction

Our Yellow Tape Letters

Caitlin Miller

Non-Fiction: Memoir

Lifeline To A Soul

John K. McLaughlin

Non-Fiction: Mental Health Memoir

An Impossible Life

Rachael Siddoway & Sonja Wasden

Non-Fiction: Law Enforcement Memoir

Busting Drug Dealers: Diaries of a DEA Special Agent

Mike Fredericks

Non-Fiction: Inspirational Memoir

A Misfortunate Misfit

Karl Sebastian

Non-Fiction: Service Industry Memoir

Serving Life: Behind Bars, Kitchens and Hospitality

Justin Michael Morales

Non-Fiction: Medical Memoir

Dr Magnesium

Dr. Lee- Michael Keegan

Non-Fiction: Caregiving Memoir

A Cup of Tea on the Commode: My Multi-Tasking Adventures of Caring for Mom. And How I Survived to Tell the Tale

Mark Steven Porro

Non-Fiction

How Not To Make It In Hollywood

David Hern

Non-Fiction: Biography

Thomas Sowell: A Misunderstood Economist

Germinal G. Van

Non-Fiction: Family Biography

The Real Gatsby: George Gordon Moore, A Granddaughter’s Memoir

Mickey Rathbun

Non-Fiction: Science and Technology

Soulful: You in the Future of Artificial Intelligence

David Espindola

Non-Fiction: Biological Science

GATTACA Has Fallen

Ian A. Myles, MD, MPH

Non-Fiction: Fine Dining

The Business of Dining: A Guide To Making A Five-Star Impression

Debbie von Ahrens

Non-Fiction: Ornithology

Amazing Annoying Birds: Living With Australian Brush-Turkeys

Ann Göth

Non-Fiction: The Craft of Writing

The Heroine’s Labyrinth: Archetypal Designs in Heroine-Led Fiction

Douglas A. Burton

Non-Fiction: Music in Movie Production

Every Note Tells A Story

Shie Rozow

Non-Fiction: Art/Coffee Table Book

Memorable Murals: The Visual History of the Town of Stony Plain, Alberta

Alexis Marie Chute

Non-Fiction: Sociology

Unsheltered Love: Homelessness, Hunger, and Hope in a City Under Seige

Traci Medford-Rosow

Non-Fiction: History

Dazzling of Birth: The Turbulent Life and Tumultuous Times of Ptolemy XII, Father of Cleopatra VII

Stewart Addington Saint-David

Non-Fiction:  South Korean History & Politics

SOUTH KOREA: The Price of Efficiency and Success

John Gonzalez & Young Lee

Non-Fiction: China’s Politics, History, and Economics

The Little Red Book: Understanding Modern China Through Historical Analysis

Christian DeLuca

Non-Fiction: History, Politics, and Social Sciences

Black Woman On Board: Claudia Hampton, the California State University, and the Fight to Save Affirmative Action

Donna J. Nicol

Non-Fiction: Social Sciences

Our Worst Strength: American Individualism And Its Hidden Discontents

James F. Richardson

Non-Fiction: History (Of Pencils)

A Field Guide to Sheaffer’s Pencils

Jonathan A. Veley

Non-Fiction: Canine Health Care

Understanding Your Pet’s Labwork: A Guide to Communicating with Your Veterinarian

Sally Suttenfield, DVM

Non-Fiction: Human Relations

I Respectfully Disagree

Justin Jones-Fosu

Non-Fiction:  Evolutionary Psychology

Purpose:  What Evolution and Human Nature Imply About the Meaning of Our Existence

Samuel T. Wilkinson

Non-Fiction: Sobriety/Alcoholism Recovery

Mastering Recovery: Find a New Freedom and a New Happiness Through Long-Term Recovery

Barry A. Lehman, DMIN, LADC

Non-Fiction: Job Search

Slam Dunk Job Search: 6 Steps to Landing Your Ideal Job in Any Market

David Allen Parker Jr.

Non-Fiction: Business

The Startup CTO’s Handbook

Zach Goldberg

Non-Fiction: Business Culture

Conscious Change: How to Navigate Differences and Foster Inclusion in Everyday Relationships

Jean Kantambu Latting & V. Jean Ramsey

Non-Fiction: Leadership

Leadership Is Worthless…But Leading Is Priceless

Thom Mayer, MD

Non-Fiction: Business Management

Flawed: Why Perfectionism is a Challenge for Management

Greg Chasson, PhD, ABPP

Non-Fiction: Business Sales & Marketing

The Business Artist: A Human Approach to Sales, Storytelling, and Creativity in a Data-Driven World

Adam Boggs

Non-Fiction: Trade Show Marketing

Build A Better Trade Show Image

Marlys K. Arnold

Non-Fiction: Communications

A Way With Words: Advice From The TEDx Frontline on How To Cut the Crap and Deliver a Killer Message Whatever the Communication Method

Theo Kapodistrias

Non-Fiction: Real Estate

Real Estate Side Hustle: Four Passive Investing Strategies to Build Wealth Beyond Your Day Job

Devon Kennard

Non-Fiction: Academics/Teaching

Bakke’s Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet

Anthony Bakke

Non-Fiction: Education Reform & Policy

Poverty Informed Practice in Education: 10 Actions to Try Now!

Chad Dull Ed.D

Non-Fiction: Cooking/Cookbook

Sweet & Savory Life: Simple Flavor-Filled Plant-Based Recipes to Nourish Mind, Body, & Spirit

Yecenia Currie

Non-Fiction: Culinary Memoir

Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience

Raj Tawney

Non-Fiction: Health

The Gut Revolution

Christine Bishara, MD

Non-Fiction: Health & Fitness

Parkinson’s: How To Reduce Symptoms Through Exercise

Kristine Meldrum, BA, ACE

Non-Fiction: Stress Relief

LIGHTEN Your Day: Fast, Easy and Effective Stress Relief

Professor Pete Alexander

Non-Fiction: Medicine

Taming Cancer: 21st Century Biology and the Future of Cancer Medicine

Drew N. Kelner, Ph.D.

Non-Fiction: Parenting

Raising Bad-Ass Kids: The Savvy Parents’ Guide to Predator-Proofing Tweens & Teens

CJ Scarlet

Non-Fiction: Parenting Through Divorce

It’s Not About Us

Darlene Taylor, MSW, CPC

Non-Fiction: Women’s Inspirational

RISE: A Guide to Transcending Generational Barriers

Marcaé Bryant

Non-Fiction: Motivational/Personal Growth

Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life

John R. Miles

Non-Fiction: Philosophy/Self-Discovery/Asceticism

The Philosopher and the Theologian, Through Asceticism, Seekers of God

Vasile Ghiuta

Non-Fiction

Death in Mind

William X. Adams

Non-Fiction: New Age/Spirituality

Unlocking Kabbalah: A New Synthesis of Astrology, Tarot, and the Tree of Life

Thomas Weems

Non-Fiction: Religion & Philosophy

Indian Mythology and Philosophy

Neel Burton

Non-Fiction: Psychology/Self-Development

Perspective: Contemplating the Complexities of Our Realities

Dr. Rachel Altvater

Non-Fiction: Grieving and Loss

Forces of Nature

Gina DeMillo Wagner

Non-Fiction: Self-Help/Personal Transformation

You Belong Here

Kim Dabbs

Non-Fiction: Self-Help/Emotional Well-Being

The END of WORRY: A Clinically Proven, 4-Step Protocol for Ending the Worry-Habit, Forever

Steve Bierman, MD

Non-Fiction: Self-Help

Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You

Henna Pryor

Non-Fiction: Self-Care

Loving, Caring, and Healing Yourself: Restoring Your Eternal Frequency

Isaiah A. Tisdale

Non-Fiction: Travel

Time, Beauty, and Grief: A Hike Through Wisconsin’s 50 State Parks

Betsy Korbinyr

Graphic Novel

Black Defender: The Awakening

Author: Dr. David Washington

Illustrator: Zhengis Tasbolatov

Children’s Book Cover

The Tenacious Tale of Tanna the Tendersword

Cover Designer: Dewey Conway

Author: Dewey Conway & Bill Adams

Fiction Book Cover

Things Unseen

Cover Designer: Jeff Brown

Author: Pamela Blake

Non-Fiction Book Cover

The Creative Code: A Creative Professional’s Way to Happiness, Wealth and Joy

Cover Designer: Jen Fontanilla

Children’s Illustration

Wings To Fly

Illustrator: Amanda Le

Illustration

The Wanderer’s Trail

Illustrator: Yuqing Sheng

View more on the Best Indie Book Award® website: BestIndieBookAward.com

Submissions are now open for the 2025 Best Indie Book Award® contest, the 2025 BIBA® Best Illustration Contest, and the 2025 BIBA® Best Book Cover Design Contest. Entries are accepted online at BestIndieBookAward.com/submit/

About Best Indie Book Award

The annual Best Indie Book Award® (or BIBA®) is an international literary award contest recognizing independent authors. BIBA® is a legitimate writing competition. Entrants compete against other book entries. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors. Submissions are accepted from around the globe, but the books must be written in English.

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