Kirkus announced the finalists for its Indie Awards, which were launched earlier this year to “celebrate the excellence, breadth, and depth of independently published books.”
“Kirkus Indie has long championed stellar independently published titles—with annual Best of Indie lists, starred and recommended titles, and lively features,” the magazine said in a news release. “Now Indie can broadcast Indie’s best of the best with our inaugural Kirkus Indie Awards and do even more to amplify Indie authors’ voices.”
The 48 finalists for this year’s awards are:
HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY
100 Years of Brodies With Hal Roach by Craig Calman
Supreme Pressure by Victor Li
Houdini by Larrian Gillespie
Make Forever Now by Roger Mitchell
Kalman & Leopold by Richard K. Lowy
Dazzling of Birth by Stewart Addington Saint-David
MEMOIR
The Mercenary Naturalist by Doug Reagan
An Unexpected Normal by Rita Angelini
Unfixed by Kimberly Warner
Conversion Therapy Dropout by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez
The Land of Everlasting Sky by Jill D. Swenson
Dear Laura, A Lost Chapter of WWII by Laura Elliott
LITERARY FICTION
Beauty by Christina Chiu
The Drama Room by Elizabeth Searle
Ways To Disappear by Victoria Lancelotta
Better Davis and Other Stories by Philip Dean Walker
Horrible Women, Wonderful Girls by Julie Ann Sipos
Finding Sutton’s Choice by Brenda Haas
MYSTERY & THRILLER
Blood Lasts Forever by Jeff Gunhus
Wild Bill Rides Again by Jim Antonini
Kamp Kromwell by A.J. Grea
The Butcher and the Liar by S.L. Woeppel
Good Lookin’ by T.L. Bequette
Vigilant by Will Bowron
SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY
The Alexandrite by Rick Lenz
Artefactum by J.E. Tobal
A Life Full of Quarks by C.W. Johnson
The October Girl Vol. 1 by Matthew Dow Smith
After by Drew Starling
Emil by Patrick Matthews
ROMANCE
The Moonstone Girls by Brooke Skipstone
Before You Can Fly by Jase Peeples
The Messy Years by Alexandra Slater
Summer Triangle by Elizabeth Webster
Strange Eden by Gina Giordano
The Midnight Book Club by E.W. Andersen
PICTURE BOOK
A Million YES’s by DJ Corchin; illustrated by Dan Dougherty
Jibberjack, Fibberjack by Stefanie Gamarra; illustrated by Marta Pilosio
Let’s Go Yum Cha! by Alister Felix; illustrated by Yenna Mariana
The Judgy Bunny by Gramma Sir
Maya Loves the Sun by Disha Mathur; illustrated by Felishia Henditirto
Gentle Hugs by Lily Guzmán; illustrated by Dorota Rewerenda
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
Chemistories by Maya Mourshed
The One We Left Behind by Sara Coven
Make Way for Monarchs by Carolyn Armstrong; illustrated by Robin Hann-León
Springtime Miracles and Mud by James Segelstein; illustrated by Larysa Maliush
The Adventures of the Flash Gang: Episode 3 by M.M. Downing & S.J. Waugh
Let’s Go, Darby! by Linda Rosenbaum; illustrated by Barbara Klunder
“The array of finalists for the inaugural Kirkus Indie Awards showcases dozens of standout Indie titles across multiple genres,” said Chaya Schechner , president of Kirkus Indie, in a statement. “Our judges were moved and delighted by books that offered, for example, ‘a take on sacrifice and healthcare, loneliness and solidarity from a perspective I haven’t heard before’; ‘a comprehensive and first-hand account of one of Hollywood’s most influential comedy pioneers,’ and ‘a nuanced portrayal of longtime friends facing significant changes in their personal and professional lives.’ The entire raft of finalists illustrates the wide-ranging, colossal talent of independently published authors.”
Winners in the eight categories will receive a $500 author services credit, which can be applied toward select Kirkus services; a $7,500 advertising credit, providing promotional exposure across Kirkus channels; an invitation to the 2026 Kirkus Prize ceremony; and an agent consultation. Judges, who are critics, booksellers, librarians, agents, and authors, in conjunction with Kirkus editors, evaluated the eligible titles and selected six finalists in each category.
The winners of the awards will be announced on Aug. 27.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
