IPG Shortlist Announced from Record Number of Entries

The 2016 shortlist for the IPG Independent Publishing Awards showcases how publishers are generating sales from new business models and digital projects.

By Hannah Johnson | @HannahSJohnson

Judging by the newly announced shortlist for IPG’s 10th annual Independent Publishing Awards, independent publishing in the UK is flourishing. The 2016 shortlist was chosen from a record-breaking number of entries, and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner on March 3 as part of the IPG Annual Spring Conference.

The judges ended up selecting a longer shortlist than in the past (four candidates for each award instead of the usual three) because, the IPG’s prepared statement says, “the standard of entries was higher than ever before, and competition was extremely strong in many of the categories.”

Many of the shortlisted nominees were praised for their ability to generate sales and improve their market position as a result of new business models and digital innovation.

Bridget Shine

The agility and entrepreneurial success of independent publishers is truly on display in this shortlist. In an interview with Publishing Perspectives, IPG CEO Bridget Shine said, “…many of the big opportunities in publishing are unique to independents, like the ability to be flexible and responsive and get very close to both readers and authors.”

Shine went on to say of the shortlist: “Every company and individual on these lists should feel very proud, and those who did not make the final cut from such an excellent range of entrants should not be discouraged.”

Here is the complete IPG Independent Publishing Awards 2016 shortlist:

Ruth Killick Publicity Trade Publisher of the Year

Faber & Faber
Head of Zeus
Oneworld
Pavilion Books

IPG Children’s Publisher of the Year

Barrington Stoke
Bloomsbury Publishing
Nosy Crow
Quarto Publishing Group

Frankfurt Book Fair Academic & Professional Publisher of the Year

Berghahn Books
Bloomsbury Publishing
Policy Press
SAGE Publishing

Publishers Licensing Society Education Publisher of the Year

Bloomsbury Publishing
Bright Red Publishing
llluminate Publishing
PG Online

IPG Specialist Consumer Publisher of the Year

How2Become
SPCK
V&A Publishing

Nick Robinson Newcomer Award

Meze Publishing
Orenda Books
PG Online

The Bookseller International Achievement Award

Accent Press
Nosy Crow
Pavilion Books
Walker Books

Ingram Content Group Digital Publishing Award

Bloomsbury Publishing
Faber & Faber
Nosy Crow

Nielsen Digital Marketing Award

Accent Press
Faber & Faber
How2Become
Nosy Crow

Alison Morrison Diversity Award

Barrington Stoke
Carcanet Press
Oneworld

IPG Young Independent Publisher of the Year

Joshua Brown, How2Become
Ola Gotkowska, Nosy Crow
Sam Richardson, SPCK
Rachel Williams, Quarto Publishing Group

GBS Services to Independent Publishers Award

Graham Bell, EDItEUR
Compass Independent Publishing Services
Firsty Group
Stison

Fox Williams Independent Publisher of the Year
Shortlist chosen from the winners of the Ruth Killick Publicity Trade Publisher of the Year, IPG Children’s Publisher of the Year, Frankfurt Book Fair Academic & Professional Publisher of the Year, Publishers Licensing Society Education Publisher of the Year, and the IPG Young Independent Publisher of the Year.

About the Author

Hannah Johnson

Hannah Johnson is the publisher of international book industry magazine Publishing Perspectives, which provides daily information and news about book markets around the world. In addition to building partnerships with international cultural and trade organizations, she works with the Frankfurt Book Fair to organize and support a number of its overseas initiatives. Hannah has also worked as the managing editor for an online media company, The Hooch Life, focused on craft distillers and cocktail experts. Prior to that, she worked as a project manager for the Frankfurt Book Fair’s New York office, managing various business and marketing activities.