Book Shows, Festivals & Education

Upcoming events

  • IPNE 7th Annual Book Awards 2020

    • 01 Mar 2020
    • 31 May 2020
    • Online Registration
    • 10 registrants
    Register

    7th Annual IPNE Book Awards

    Registration Opens March 1!

    Is your book a winner?  It's time to let the world know and get the recognition that book deserves.  

    Enter the 2020 IPNE Book Awards!

    If you have a book with a publication date of 2018, 2019, or 2020, you are eligible to enter the 7th Annual IPNE Book Awards.

    Along with the gratification and marketing opportunities that winning a respected book award offers, winners will also be showcased on the IPNE website through 2020, receive a 2020 IPNE Book Award e-medallion for display on social media channels, websites, and marketing materials, and be honored at the annual IPNE book award ceremony. The submissions period runs from March 1 to May 31. 

    Each book will be judged by three independent judges, drawn from a panel of literary scholars, librarians and other qualified reviewers selected by IPNE's 2020 Book Awards Committee.

    All entries will compete within their categories, and also for the top prize as IPNE Book of the Year. Last year's IPNE Book Award winners can be found here.

    Entry Fees

    For Members, the fee is $45 per title  (one category), and $25 per additional category. 

    For Non-Members, the entry fee is $70 per title (one category).

    Become a member of IPNE and be eligible for the member submission rate. 

    Registration includes one of the following categories for each book entered. You  can register for as many categories as you wish for $25 each.

    1. LITERARY FICTION: Written as literary work, does not fit traditional formulas of genre fiction.

    2. GENRE FICTION: Mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, inspirational, etc.
    3. CHILDREN’S BOOKS: Picture book, early reader, middle grade
    4. YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
    5. GRAPHIC NOVELS
    6. NARRATIVE NONFICTION: Biography, memoir, nonfiction that tells a story.
    7. INFORMATIONAL NONFICTION: Directories, travel guides, how-to, self-help, reference, etc.
    8. POETRY
    9. COFFEE TABLE AND ART BOOKS
    10. DESIGN: Cover and interior are evaluated. 

    Entry Process & Information

    • Register online (link TBA)
    • Submit your payment via online registration or send check with books
    • * Mail 4 copies of your book to IPNE
    • * E-Book - If you prefer to submit an electronic copy of your book in place of physical copies for judges, you can do so during on-line registration via E-Book submission.  You may still want to mail 1 copy to address above for display at the annual conference and book awards. 

    Save the Date for IPNE’s Annual Conference and Book Awards - Nov. 2020 date to be announced.

    Winners will be announced live during the second day of the conference. Entrants are welcome to bring guests for a celebratory dinner and awards ceremony.

    If you have questions or would like volunteer to help with this event please email talktous@ipne.org

     About the Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE)

    The Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE) is an organization of professionals, authors, and companies who collaborate to help each other learn and succeed in the independent book publishing field.

    The IPNE Book Awards continue to be a favorite of IPNE members and other indie publishers. Winning a book award or being named a finalist not only brings a sense of personal validation but provides countless opportunities for promoting and marketing your book!

    Disclaimer

    Depending on the number of submissions for a category, IPNE reserves the right to combine, divide or otherwise modify the award categories. In the event that categories are added for a particular genre, consolidated, or eliminated, the submission will be judged in the category(ies) most relevant to the submission(s). IPNE’sBook Awards are facilitated by a volunteer committee that is made up of IPNE members and governed by the IPNE Board of Directors.


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  • IPNE Vermont Regional Group

    • 14 Apr 2020
    • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • 766 Putney Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301
    • 16
    • 4 registrants
    Register

    Vermont - IPNE Regional Group

    Join your publishing colleagues in Brattleboro on Tuesday, April 14 for lunch and conversation from 12-2 pm at the Pan Asian Restaurant. 

    Bring any samples of your books and promotional material that you might like to share with the group.

    Since we are so close to New Hampshire and western Massachusetts, publishers from the Tri-State region are welcome. 

    Regional group meetings are open to all. Those attending qualify for a half-price IPNE membership or renewal. Ask the organizers for the discount code.

    For more information, contact organizers Cheryl Wilfong, Heart Path Press and Lynn Levine, Heartwood Press, or email talktous@ipne.org.

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  • Boston Book Festival "Lit Crawl"

    • 22 Jun 2020
    • 6:00 PM
    • Central Square, Cambridge MA
    • 1
    • 5 registrants
    Registration is closed

    Join our Panel at the Boston
    Book Festival "Lit Crawl"

    IMPORTANT: If you wish to participate in this event, you must register by March 20. Participation is limited to 5 members, first come, first booked! 

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    As a harbinger to its main event in October, Boston Book Festival is organizing its annual "Lit Crawl" in June. This year, the Lit Crawl will take place in a number of pubs, cafés, shops, and other venues in and around Central Square, Cambridge on Thursday evening, June 22, 2020. This is the fourth year they have put on the event and the first one IPNE will participate in. Info about this year's Lit Crawl is here. 

    IPNE will have a one-hour interactive panel at one of the Lit Crawl sites. In your capacity as a publisher or independently published writer, we invite you to participate as a panelist. We plan to live-stream and record this event on video. BBF limits enrollment to 5 presenters plus a moderator, IPNE is charging $25 to cover expenses.

    Our theme for our panel discussion that evening will be: “Declare Your Publishing Independence: Learn the Ropes from New England Indies.” Panelists can interpret this theme according to their book genre and experience.

    So let's come together to rev up some valuable publicity for our efforts and raise the IPNE flag for the literati of Greater Boston. After registration closes on March 20, we can teleconference among ourselves to work out a schedule and provide location and logistical details. BBF will publicize all Lit Crawl events, including IPNE's.

    There were 10 well-attended Lit Crawl venues in 2019; see this announcement or the BBF’s Instagram account.

    For questions, contact Geoff Dutton, gdutton@ipne.org or Charlotte Pierce, cpierce@ipne.org.

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  • New England Independent Booksellers 2020 (NEIBA)

    • 22 Sep 2020
    • 24 Sep 2020
    • Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI
    • 30

    New England Independent
    Booksellers Association (NEIBA)

    Sept. 22-24, 2020
    Rhode Island Convention Center
    Providence, RI

    IPNE Exhibit Registration Opens Soon!


    Use #IPNEatNEIBA on social media!

    Who do we love? Independent bookstores - and they love us! New England is a hotbed of indie bookstores, and they're experiencing a revival, thanks in part to the efforts of the bookseller members and staff of NEIBA. Come and be a part of it!

    By exhibiting with IPNE, your titles are presented to an estimated 1,000 interested individual booksellers, 250 independent bookstores, and hundreds of top buyers, editors, authors, and industry insiders at the largest regional show of its kind in the U.S.

    Best of all, IPNE exhibitors get live, informed representation by IPNE officers and members with local-market knowledge. We know many of these booksellers and engage with them throughout the year. 

    Please scroll down to read EXHIBIT GUIDELINES and expect followup emails with exhibit details.

    Why Exhibit with IPNE@NEIBA?

    • Huge Savings: Join IPNE's collaborative exhibit and save about $500 off NEIBA individual exhibitor rates. Enjoy prominent display of your titles on the IPNE exhibit table and active engagement of booksellers by IPNE volunteers.
    • Free Catalog Insert: Title information will be taken from your IPNE profile, so make sure you update it with your exhibited book information by Sept. 1. The Catalog and exhibitor insert will be distributed free of charge to all exhibit visitors.
    • Promotional Literature: We will offer visitors the promotional literature (see guidelines). We recommend including a trackable special offer on your sales sheet for bookstores who order at NEIBA.
    • Indies Helping Indies: IPNE will promote your NEIBA exhibited books, signings, offers, and events via social media, our live-streaming video show, our website, and live regional events before and during the conference. When you post on our blog or on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, and/or Twitter about your NEIBA exhibit and mention IPNE, we'll amplify it!
    • Participate & Learn! IPNE exhibitors can attend, network, sign books, and participate in the educational sessions at the conference. Volunteering gives you the inside track to bookstores & industry influencers. NEIBA also offers educational and social events on all three days of the conference.
    • Volunteers: IPNE volunteers get a free badge and IPNE business cards, plus a unique chance to observe and interact with booksellers, agents, and reps. Volunteer space is limited; please email the coordinator by Sept. 1 and wait for confirmation.
    • Pick-Nic Luncheon: This is the best deal at NEIBA. At the Publishers Pick-Nic, our IPNE representative will present your book to leading booksellers and sales reps in a "speed dating" style event. Space is limited to 6 books, so please register early! To sign up, click "Publishers Pick-Nic" in the "Extras" on registration form.

    Additional Opportunities Through NEIBA

    NEIBA offers several special events, including separately promoted autographing sessions, breakfasts, luncheons, and banquets throughout the conference. There are also free and paid educational sessions. Register on the NEIBA website.

    Schedule To Come Soon!

    PLEASE NOTE: NEIBA is open to IPNE vendor, publisher, and partner members. Registration is online only. Exhibited books must meet our curation guidelines. Please read all instructions carefully, and ask any questions before registering! For questions about NEIBA that aren't answered here, contact the IPNE show manager, NEIBA@ipne.org.

    EXHIBIT GUIDELINES

    These guidelines are designed to help IPNE more efficiently and effectively represent our members and our mission. 

    • SHIP BOOKS: Please send two display copies of each book addressed to: Eddie Vincent, 423 Beans Corner Rd., New Sharon, ME 04955 to arrive no later than Sept. 10.

    • CURATION: IPNE exhibits at the major book shows will be curated by IPNE and the IPNE Book Awards judges. Please read Curation Guidelines and complete the Curation Checklist before you exhibit.

    • PROMO MATERIALS: You may include 25  4 x 9" rack cards. Our display is not equipped to handle different sizes and quantities of promotional material. 

    • BOOTH ETIQUETTE: Authors & publishers who are not on the event crew may not remain in the booth or alter the display in any way. This will allow visitors  to access and buy your books more easily.

    • ELIGIBILITY: Major book shows like NEIBA are open to IPNE associate, vendor, publisher, and partner members. Partner organizations get a membership discount.

    • PAYMENT: Registration is online only. If you are unable to register online, please contact our bookkeeper, and allow up to 2 weeks processing time. 

    • PROFILE: Book data posted on your IPNE profile page must be -up-to-date and accurate or your books may not be included in the event catalog insert. Accuracy is the responsibility of the member.

    • QUESTIONS: Please read all instructions carefully, and ask any questions before registering!

    • SHIPPING: All books must be received at least two weeks before the exhibit. 

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  • Boston Book Festival 2020

    • 24 Oct 2020
    • 10:00 AM
    • 25 Oct 2020
    • 3:00 PM
    • Boston, MA (Copley Square)
    • 45

    Reach New Readers at New England's 

    Premiere Bookselling Event!

    Boston Book Festival 2020 is October 24-25

    IPNE registration opens soon!


    Use #IPNEatBBF on social media!

    Everyone at IPNE is excited to host an exhibit at the Boston Book Festival (BBF) for our 10th year! What's even more terrific is that IPNE can represent small publishers and author-publishers at this important event, even though self-publishers are not allowed as solo exhibitors. 

    Because the BBF is so well attended by a concentrated crowd of book lovers, it creates a special opportunity for independent publishers to interact with the public and attract new readers. And remember: space is limited, and this show will fill up fast.

    About the Boston Book Festival

    The Boston Book Festival, now in its 11th year (2020), is the largest literary event in New England. It takes place in Copley Square, Boston every October, with tent booths ringing the square and author and publisher events in the Boston Public Library and surrounding buildings. Well-known authors give readings and talks, and the mood is festive!

    About the IPNE at BBF Exhibit

    IPNE's Boston Book Festival 2020 Exhibit is a members only. If you're not a member, first join IPNE as a publisher or vendor member. Then, register for BBF and we will send information on where to send an additional copies (5) copies of your book for sale at the festival. 

    • Exhibit. The IPNE exhibit fee of $40 covers one (1) book and no more than 25 corresponding 4x9 rack cards (4x9 is the only size allowed). Please include your ordering URL on the rack card. The IPNE sales team will be selling the books. Authors/Publishers will receive 90% of the selling price. IPNE reserves the option to donate unsold books or post them for sale on our Facebook store. Leftover promotional materials cannot be returned.
    NOTE: Authors & publishers may not remain in the booth or alter the display in any way. This policy allows customers to view and buy your books more easily.
    • Sign. Signing sessions last for 50 minutes and begin at 10 am and end at 3 pm.  Final scheduling is at the show coordinator's discretion. 
    • Fees for current members. Exhibit fees for members are $40 for each book, with discounts to a maximum of three (3) books. A 50-minute signing session is $35.
    • Online registration. Registration is all online through our website. Once you are registered, we will follow up with information about setup, sales, volunteering, and other details.
    • Booth Etiquette.  The coordinators will arrange the display to allow customers to view and buy your books easily. Except when selling, authors may not remain in the booth or alter the display in any way. Authors may not bring items besides books or and rack cards except during a sign & sell session.
    • Sales & Inventory: The IPNE sales team will be selling the books. Authors and publishers will receive 100% of the selling price. Unsold books may be retrieved at the booth only; IPNE is not able to pack and store your books. IPNE reserves the option to donate unsold books or post them for sale on our Facebook store. Leftover promotional materials cannot be returned. 
    • Email the coordinators if you have questions or need help with online registration, and good luck at the show!

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  • New England Library Association 2020 (NELA)

    • 25 Oct 2020
    • 27 Oct 2020
    • Manchester, NH
    • 30

    New England Library Association

    October 25-27, 2020

    Exhibit Registration Opens Soon!

    Manchester Downtown Hotel
    700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101

    • Click here to reach IPNEatNELA Coordinator
    • Social Media Hashtag: #IPNEatNELA
    • Registration is online only - thank you!

    Showcase your titles to the folks who know
    & love books best - librarians!

    We love librarians! And they love indie publishers. This is one of our favorite book shows - and it shows! Join us in Manchester, NH this year for what is sure to be another dynamic NELA conference!

    Since librarians delight in finding uncommon and regional books to meet their patrons' needs, they tend to be attracted to small presses. 

    The New England Library Association show is the one show where you'll find the most regional librarians, staff, and trustees gathered together in one place. They're especially interested in books from New England authors and publishers and books with other connections to our region as well as general titles.

    IPNE@NELA Exhibit Rates

    IPNE members enjoy discounted exhibit rate starting at $55; there is a discount for multiple titles. You must be an IPNE member to exhibit at this event; JOIN HERE (partner organizations get a special IPNE membership rate). 

    The NELA Advantage

    If you're able to attend in person – at no additional fee, and space permitting, please contact the IPNE@NELA coordinator. As a volunteer, you can:

    • Meet scores of librarians from all six New England states. Expected attendance is over 600, of which about 65% work in public libraries, 25% in academic libraries, and 10% are in other categories.
    • Engage with buyers. 86% of NELA attendees control buying or influence purchasing decisions.
    • Enjoy a show schedule with nearly half of show hours as exclusive exhibit time (with no competing educational sessions) and refreshments in the hall.
    • Talk to attendees, draw their attention to your books on display, and make certain each attendee receives the IPNE Catalog with a NELA show exhibitor insert.

    NEW: Exhibit Guidelines

    These new guidelines are designed to help IPNE more efficiently and effectively represent our members and our mission. 

    • MATERIALS: You may include 25  4 x 9" rack cards. We cannot accommodate other types of promo materials or displays.

    • BOOTH ETIQUETTE: Authors & publishers who are not on the event crew may not remain in the booth or alter the display in any way. This will allow visitors  to access and buy your books more easily and avoid huffin' & puffin'!

    • ELIGIBILITY: Major book shows like NEIBA, NELA, and BBF are open to IPNE vendor and publisher members. Members of partner organizations can join for a discount.

    • PAYMENT: Registration is online only. If you are unable to register online, please contact our bookkeeper, and allow up to 2 weeks processing time. 

    • PROFILE: Book data posted on your IPNE profile page must be -up-to-date and accurate or your books may not be included in the event catalog insert. Accuracy is the responsibility of the member.

    • QUESTIONS: Please read all instructions carefully, and ask any questions before registering!

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