The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. Selected IPA Award Winners and Distinguished Favourites are based on overall excellence.

Intergalactic Jack and the Child of the Prophecy, authored by Christopher and Christine Kezelos, is a middle-grade science fiction novel that combines humour and heroism with a thrilling, high-octane space adventure. The story follows 12-year-old Jack Marshall, a seemingly ordinary orphan from Earth whose life takes an extraordinary turn when he and his loyal dog, Nova, are whisked away into the heart of an interstellar conflict. As Earth faces the threat of annihilation by extraterrestrials intent on harvesting its forests, Jack discovers his true destiny is intertwined with the fate of the Galaxy itself.

Armed with courage and aided by a band of alien misfits with more quirks than a spaceship with a hyperdrive malfunction, Jack must navigate the challenges of space warfare to thwart a megalomaniac general obsessed with controlling the Galaxy’s resources. From breathless chases from alien soldiers to daring rescues and epic battles, Intergalactic Jack is a testament to the power of unity and courage in the face of insurmountable odds.

In 2025, the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD saw participation from journalists, well established authors and small, medium and large publishers across the globe, including those residing in Australia, Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.

Winners were chosen from publishers such as Amplify Publishing Group, Black Rose Writing, Blackstone Publishing, BookBaby, Calumet Editions, Globe Pequot, Finishing Line Press, Gatekeepers Press, Hachette Go (Blanco of Grand Central Publishing), HarperCollins Leadership, Ideapress Publishing, IVP Kids, Koehler Books, Mad Cave Studios, North Dakota State University Press, Oceanview, Publishing Old Stone Press, Pegasus Books, Post Hill Press, Red T Kid’s Media, Rowman & Littlefield, She Writes Press, University of California Press and University of Georgia Press.

“The 2025 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD awardees included the excellence and diversity of global independent publishing,” said Gabrielle Olczak, IPA President and Award Sponsor. “There is no stopping independent publishing. It provides unparalleled content and quality to consumers worldwide and we are excited to showcase this year’s honourees to the world.”

View the full list of this year’s IPA Winners and Distinguished Favourites. ​

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Hosted by The Independent Author Network, the international contest is open to all authors across 45 fiction and non-fiction categories.

Co-author Christopher Kezelos said, “We’re thrilled that our bigfoot story has been recognised by the IAN judges. If you’re a fan of our other works of fiction and enjoy our whimsical storytelling, we think you’ll love The Sasquatch of Jackson Farm. It’s a story that’s very dear to our hearts.”

Visit The Sasquatch of Jackson Farm page for more info and to listen to a full-cast audio read of the first chapter.

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Co-author Christine Kezelos said, “Our book isn’t like other Sasquatch stories out there. Rather than vilifying this mysterious creature placing it squarely in the horror genre, ours is an emotional tale about family entanglements and dysfunction that’s a part of the human experience. By the end of the book, you’ll adore our Sasquatch and maybe even shed a tear”.

Visit The Sasquatch of Jackson Farm page for more info and to listen to a full-cast audio read of the first chapter.

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They sit down and share their creative journey with the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts. Read the full interview.

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