Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors (a.k.a. Colorado Independent Publishers Assoc. [CIPA]) is a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Colorado and is a tax exempt corporation under IRC Section 501(c)(6).
2026 CIPA EVVY™ Awards are OPEN!
Submission dates:
January 26, 2026 – May 30, 2026
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What are the CIPA EVVY™ Awards?
The CIPA EVVYs™ is one of the longest-running book award competitions on the Indie publishing scene, running for more than 30 years. The annual contest is sponsored by the Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors (CIPA), along with the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF).
The CIPA EVVYs™ receive entries from all over the world with more than 40 categories, the CIPA EVVYs™ continue to provide an excellent way for independent authors to gain recognition for their work.
How are the entries judged?
The judging is tough—the way a book competition should be. Judges are selected through CIPA’s judging qualification process and include teachers, business leaders, authors, critics, editors, readers and others. Our judges know books.
CIPA EVVY™ entries are reviewed and scored according to established minimum criteria. Awards in each category are based on highest scores; however, in order to be eligible for 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, each book must receive the minimum scoring requirements set for each award level.
Why Authors Enter
Traditional literary awards are genre-specific or only open to members of the sponsoring organization.
High-quality, independently published books and books from small presses are often overlooked in favor of works sponsored by big publishers.
The CIPA EVVYs™ are open to all types of independently published books, regardless of membership status with the Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors. The CIPA EVVYs™ recognize achievement across a diverse range of genres and technical categories.
In addition to critical recognition and the credibility afforded by the rigorous judging process, being a winner of the CIPA EVVY™ Book Awards has produced tangible results for authors, including:
- PR opportunities
- Increased book sales
- Better marketing position
Deadlines:
Entries accepted January 26 – May 30, 2026.
- All books must be postmarked by May 30, 2026 and arrive no later than June 6, 2026
- Finalists announced August 2026. Winners announced September 2026 at the CIPA EVVY™ Awards Banquet location to be determined.