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Congratulations to the Winners & Finalists of the 2025 Best Book Awards!
 


The 22nd Annual 
"Best Book" Awards
Sponsored by American Book Fest™



For Immediate Release

November 2025

Contact: American Book Fest
E-mail Press Contact

American Book Fest
Los Angeles | Phoenix

AmericanBookFest.com




AMERICAN BOOK FEST™ ANNOUNCES
WINNERS AND FINALISTS OF
THE 22nd ANNUAL BEST BOOK AWARDS

Mainstream & Independent Titles Score Top Honors
in the 2025 Best Book Awards

Penguin Random House, HCI / Simon & Schuster,
Hachette UK, Wiley, Rowman & Littlefield,
Routledge, Princeton University Press,
Oxford University Press, Stanford University
Press, The White House Historical Association,
Inner Traditions, De Gruyter, She Writes Press,
Ideapress Publishing, Post Hill Press and
hundreds of national and international
Independent Houses contribute to this
year’s Outstanding Competition!




LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 2025 – American Book Fest announced the winners and finalists of THE 22nd ANNUAL BEST BOOK AWARDS (BBA), 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 2020-2025.

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.

Keen says of the awards, "Over our 23-year history, thousands of self-published and indie authors have leveraged the promotional power of their Best Book Award to increase online recognition, enhance their title’s credibility, and garner more attention in the crowded book buying marketplace."

Full results for the 22nd Annual Best 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 can be found here.

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


 


Congratulations to the Following Award-Winning Titles: (Full Results are Available Here)

Animals/Pets: General
Sacred Wild: The Spiritual World of Animals, Including Pets, and its Interconnectedness with Ours by Miki Jacobs
CreateSpace

Animals/Pets: Narrative Nonfiction
Tales of a Pet Vet: Stories from the Clinic and House Calls by Dr. Dawn Filos
She Writes Press

Anthologies: Nonfiction
Resisting James Bond: Power and Privilege in the Daniel Craig Era edited by Lisa Funnell and Christoph Lindner
Bloomsbury

Art
An Artist's Life: 50 Years of Self-Portraits by Carlton Davis with co-author Peter Lownds
Art Dock

Autobiography/Memoir
No Women Left Behind: A Journey of Hope to Heal Every Woman Injured in Childbirth by Kate Grant
She Writes Press

Best Cover Design: Fiction
The Depths of Marla Adams by Patrick Hanford
Savoy House Publishing

Best Cover Design: Nonfiction
No Women Left Behind: A Journey of Hope to Heal Every Woman Injured in Childbirth by Kate Grant
She Writes Press

Best Interior Design / Illustrations
King of Soca: The Ultimate Insider Reveals How Machel Montano Became One Of The World's Most Popular Soca Artists (The Deluxe Edition) by Elizabeth Montano
EESM Elizabeth Montano, Port of Spain

Best New Fiction
Kentucky Blood (Book I of the Kentucky Blood Series) by Ashley Thomas Sheikh
Prism Gate Publishing

Best New Nonfiction
What is My Legacy?: Realizing a New Dream of Connection, Love and Fulfillment by Martin Luther King III, Andrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger
Flashpoint Books

Biography
Catch People Doing Things Right: How Ken Blanchard Changed the Way the World Leads by Martha C. Lawrence
Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Business: Careers
The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health by Marie-Helene Pelletier, PhD, MBA
Page Two

Business: Communications/Public Relations
Communicating Under Fire: The Mindset to Survive Any Crisis and Emerge Stronger by Dallas Lawrence
Post Hill Press

Business: Entrepreneurship & Small Business
Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs by Nerri Karra Sillaman
Wiley

Business: General
Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI by Faisal Hoque
Post Hill Press

Business: Management & Leadership
The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out by Dana Maor, Hans-Werner Kaas, Kurt Strovink, Ramesh Srinivasan
Penguin Random House

Business: Marketing & Advertising
Human-Centered Marketing: How to Connect with Audiences in the Age of AI by Ashley Faus
Kogan Page

Business: Motivational
The Ethical Imperative: Leading with Conscience to Shape the Future of Business by Andrew Cooper
Wiley

Business: Personal Finance/Investing
Two-Comma Wealth: Investment, Tax, and Estate Strategies to Consider When Your Net Worth Exceeds a Million Dollars by George Stefanou
Streamline Books

Business: Real Estate
The Veteran Advantage by Todd Roberson
Kinley Publishing

Business: Reference
Corporate Director and Officer Liability: "Discretionaries" Not Fiduciaries by Marc I. Steinberg
Oxford University Press

Business: Technology
Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change by Mark van Rijmenam
Dean Publishing

Business: Writing/Publishing
Unwritten: The Thought Leader's Guide to Not Over thinking Your Business Book by Emily Crookston
Amplify Publishing Group

Children's Educational
Returning To Orbit: Leo Finds His Way Through Childhood Stress by Jenny Simon, MC, LPC, PhD
Independently Published

Children's Fiction
Buried Secrets of The Copper Locket: A Hannah Hallie Hawkins History Mystery by D.L. Bush
Independently Published

Children's Mind/Body/Spirit
Words by Katherine Davis-Gibbon
Riverlet Press, an imprint of Book Baby

Children's Nonfiction
Ignite Your Ideas: Creativity for Kids by Joanne Foster
Gifted Unlimited, LLC

Children's Novelty & Gift Book
How to Draw the Presidents and First Ladies by John Hutton
White House Historical Association

Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction
Bea's Balikbayan Box of Treasures by Christine Alemshah, illustrated by Dream Chen
Free Spirit Publishing

Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Nonfiction
What Happens After? by Diane Namm
Independently Published

Children's Picture Book: Softcover Fiction
When Will I Ever Learn: 60 Humorous and Teachable Poems for Kids by Lynn Marceau
Independently Published

Children's Picture Book: Softcover Nonfiction
The Miracle Forest by Ellen Dee Davidson
12 Willows Press

Children's Religious
Just Enough Room for Christmas by Robin Currie
Good Books/Sky Horse

Cookbook: General
Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History: Cooking to the President's Taste by Adrian Miller and Deborah Chang
White House Historical Association

Cookbook: Regional
Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History: Cooking to the President's Taste by Adrian Miller and Deborah Chang
White House Historical Association

Current Events
Good As Gold: How to Unleash the Power of Sound Money by Judy Shelton
Independent Institute

Education/Academic
The New Global Universities: Reinventing Education in the 21st Century by Bryan Penprase and Noah Pickus
Princeton University Press

Fiction: African American
Fox Creek: A Novel by M. E. Torrey
Sly Fox Publishing, LLC

Fiction: Anthologies
L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40 edited by Jody Lynn Nye
Galaxy Press

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

Fiction: Fantasy
The Gift by Evette Davis
She Writes Press

Fiction: General
The Broken Weathervane by Laura DeNooyer
Scrivenings Press

Fiction: Historical
A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer
Scrivenings Press

Fiction: Horror
Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch's Rebirth Part I by Michaela Riley
Harper Book Writers

Fiction: Inspirational
Abandon Not My Soul by Sherye S. Green
Sciptoria, an imprint of Sunbury Press, Inc.

Fiction: LGBTQ+
The Finest Line (The Warehouse District Trilogy, Book 1) by Tegan Kane
Scarlet Vault LLC

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

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

Fiction: Mystery/Suspense
The Far Side of the Desert by Joanne Leedom-Ackerman
Oceanview Publishing

Fiction: New Age
The Land of the Dancing Rabbits by Sharon E. Yarbrough
Balboa Press

Fiction: Novelette
Letters from the Olive Tree by Reese Balducci
Veridian House

Fiction: Novella
The Bayrose Files by Diane Wald
Regal House Publishing

Fiction: Religious
The Reluctant Pioneer: Inspired by a True Story by Julie McDonald Zander
St. Helens Press

Fiction: Romance
The Black Dragon: A Medieval Romance by Kathryn Le Veque
Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc.

Fiction: Science Fiction
Juris Ex Machina by John W. Maly
Highlander Press

Fiction: Short Story
Homefront: Stories by Victoria Kelly
University of Nevada Press

Fiction: Thriller/Adventure
Relentless by Michael Maloof
Golden Oak Writers Guild, LLC

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

Fiction: Western
Knoll Mercy, Bounty Hunter: Beautiful Day by Jeffrey L. Barnhart
KDP Publishing

Fiction: Women's Fiction
Bottom of the Breath by Jayne Mills
She Writes Press

Fiction: Young Adult
Zephyr's Flight by Ray Strong
Impulse Fiction

Health: Addiction & Recovery
Rise. Recover. Thrive.: How I Got Strong, Got Sober, and Built a Movement of Hope by Scott Strode
Stand Together Press

Health: Aging/50+
Good to Go: Five Understandings to Navigate a Peaceful and Elegant Last Chapter of Life by John A. Horton, MD
New Insights Press

Health: Alternative Medicine
The Biology of Trauma: How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, Overwhelm, and How to Heal It by Aimie Apigian
BenBella Books

Health: Cancer
Taming Cancer: 21st Century Biology and the Future of Cancer Medicine by Drew N. Kelner, Ph.D.
BioCentury Press

Health: Death & Dying
Dying to Live: Finding Life's Meaning Through Death by Andy Chaleff
Meaningful Relations Consulting LLC

Health: Diet and Exercise
Vibrant Juicy Life: A Woman's Journey to Conquer Food Cravings, Feel Better, and Live Bigger by Juniper Devecis
Manuscripts LLC

Health: General
Kinship Medicine: Cultivating Interdependence to Heal the Earth and Ourselves by Wendy Johnson MD MPH
North Atlantic Books

Health: Psychology/Mental Health
Parents Have Feeling, Too: A Guide to Navigating Your Emotions So You and Your Family Can Thrive by Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW and Juli Fraga, PsyD
Alcove Press/Crooked Lane Publishers

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
W.G.: The Opium-addicted Pistol Toting Preacher Who Raised First Federal African-American Union Troops by Donna Burtch & William Burtch
Sunbury Press

History: United States
Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer by Brian Reisinger
Skyhorse Publishing

Home & Garden
Amazing Hummingbirds You Can Find In Arizona by Kelly Isley
B&IB Publishers

Humor/Comedy/Satire
The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles by Marty Essen
Encante Press, LLC

LGBTQ+ Nonfiction
Come Sit With Me And Let's Talk by Brian Edwards
Palmetto Publishing

Multicultural: Nonfiction
The Painted Pink Dress: A Daughter's Story of Family, Betrayal, and Her Search for the Truth by Minu Cash
Sandra Jonas Publishing

New Age: Nonfiction
Sacred Forest Bathing by Ellen Dee Davidson
Inner Traditions

Nonfiction: Creative
The Non-Obvious Guide to Drawing Your Future: Solve Problems, Explain Ideas, Sell Anything by Patti Dobrowolski
Ideapress Publishing

Nonfiction: Cross-Genre
Perceptive: Insights for leaders who feel more, process deeply, and think differently by Rachel Eve Radway
Seaglass Books

Nonfiction: General
9 Wonder Words: A Language for Living Well Even When All Hell Breaks Loose by Lucy Turner
Independently Published

Nonfiction: Inspirational
The Change Guidebook: How to Align Your Heart, Truths, and Energy to Find Success in All Areas of Your Life by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino
HCI / Simon & Schuster

Nonfiction: Narrative
A Sometimes Paradise: Reflection on Life in a Wyoming Ranch Family by Mark E. Miller
Sandra Jonas Publishing

Novelty & Gift Book
King of Soca: The Ultimate Insider Reveals How Machel Montano Became One Of The World's Most Popular Soca Artists (The Deluxe Edition) by Elizabeth Montano
EESM Elizabeth Montano, Port of Spain

Parenting & Family
Safest Family on the Block: 101 Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Habits to Protect Your Family by Jason Brick
YMAA Publication Center

Performing Arts: Film, Theater, Dance, Music
King of Soca: The Ultimate Insider Reveals How Machel Montano Became One Of The World's Most Popular Soca Artists (The Deluxe Edition) by Elizabeth Montano
EESM Elizabeth Montano, Port of Spain

Photography
Exploring Wine Regions – Mexico written and photographed by Michael C. Higgins, PhD
International Exploration Society

Poetry: Anthologies
A Line Meant edited by Dasha Hamilton
Jaded Ibis Press

Poetry: Chapbook
A Gift, Her Slipper, and Yesterday's Rainbow by Allison Thorpe
The Poetry Box

Poetry: Contemporary
Language of the Wound is Love by Megha Sood
FlowerSong Press

Poetry: General
Fluent in Blue by Erin Murphy
Grayson Books

Poetry: Narrative
Songs from Fern's Pond by Sheryl Pothier Harmer
Girl Friday Productions

Poetry: Nature
Bright Mornings, Lit Paths: Poems, Prayers, and Prose Along the Way by Patti Jones Morgan
Signature Seasons Editions

Poetry: Religious
Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey by Paul Buchheit
Resource Publications, an imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

Poetry: Urban
"RAVE" by Boris Rozas
Olifante (Spain)

Religion: Christian Inspirational
Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 with Faith, Family, and the FDNY by Ann Van Hine
Illumify Media

Religion: Christianity
Flawed to Fruitful: Hope for Men by Rolland Kenneson
ShelteringTree.Earth

Religion: Eastern
Awakening with Ease: A Simple Direct path for Wise Women Leaders, Mindful Entrepreneurs, Immigrants, Minorities & Seekers by Susmita Barua
Jetlaunch Self-Publishing Co.

Religion: General
What the Bible Says About Tithing and Giving: It's Different Than You Think by Clifton H. Payne, Jr
Palmetto Publishing

Science
Spiritual Intelligence: Activating the 4 Circuits of the Awakened Brain by Dawson Church
Energy Psychology Press

Self-Help: General
Body Image Inside Out: A Revolutionary Approach to Body Image Healing by Deb Schachter, MSW & Whitney Otto, MA, PCC
Sheldon Press, Hachette UK

Self-Help: Motivational
Joy Prescriptions: How I Learned to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Connection by Dr. Tiffany Moon
Legacy Lit

Self-Help: Relationships
Mastering Emotions for Men: Proven Steps to Build Intimate Connections, Manage Stress, and Excel at Work Without Feeling Overwhelmed by Jack Wolf
POSG, Inc.

Social Change
The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization by Maureen Dunne
Wiley

Spirituality: General
Spiritual Intelligence: Activating the 4 Circuits of the Awakened Brain by Dawson Church
Energy Psychology Press

Spirituality: Inspirational
What is My Legacy?: Realizing a New Dream of Connection, Love and Fulfillment by Martin Luther King III, Andrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger
Flashpoint Books

Sports
Analysis of Shu Ha Ri in Karate-Do: When a Fighting Art Becomes a Fine Art by Hermann Bayer, Ph.D.
YMAA Publication Center

Travel: Guides & Essays
Exploring Wine Regions – Mexico written and photographed by Michael C. Higgins, PhD
International Exploration Society

True Crime: Nonfiction
After Escobar: Taking Down the Notorious Cali Godfathers and the Biggest Drug Cartel in History by Chris Feistl and Dave Mitchell with Jessica Balboni
Post Hill Press

Women's Issues/Women's Studies
Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune by Cary Carbonaro
Wiley

Young Adult Nonfiction
I'm Not Alone: A Teen's Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has a Mental Illness or History of Trauma by Michelle D. Sherman and DeAnne M. Sherman
Seeds of Hope Books




2026 CALL FOR ENTRIES!
23rd Annual "Best Book" Awards

Welcome to the 2026 "Best Book" Awards, sponsored by American Book Fest!
 
"Book awards do count in marketing and in positioning as a recognized 'go-to' expert. The Best Book Awards are always on my recommended list for authors who create quality books to enter. I’ve found that the support from the Best Book Awards for winners, both on its websites and with press releases, is exceptional and far beyond what most other awards do."
—Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd, CEO of AuthorU.org
  • E-mail Submission Now Available!
  • Open to all 2020-2026 Published Books with an ISBN.
  • Winners & Finalists Announced in mid-November 2026!
Click Here for Complete Information



ATTENTION BOOK FANATICS!  
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Join over 131,000+ of your fellow book lovers on Facebook!
 
CLICK ON the link, SIGN INTO your Facebook account and "LIKE US"!
 
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