Winners
Biography
2021 FINALISTS - BIOGRAPHY
On March 24, 2021, IBPA announced the following three finalists in the BIOGRAPHY category. Register to attend the virtual award ceremony on May 13th to learn which book wins Gold.
2020 WINNERS - BIOGRAPHY
Watch the following video to see which of the three finalists below won gold, and which won silver.
2021 WINNERS - BIOGRAPHY
See below for the list of 2021 winners in the BIOGRAPHY category, for books with a copyright date of 2020. Click here to watch the Gold and Silver winner speeches.
Chasing Excellence: The Remarkable Life and Inspiring Vigilosophy of Coach Joe I. Vigil
2021 Gold Winner
Author: Pat Melgares
Publisher: Soulstice Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-7331887-3-9
Coach Joe I. Vigil rose from poverty to inspire Olympic runners, All-Americans, and “Vigilantes” everywhere to chase excellence. Driven by curiosity, a deep faith in people, and unwavering loyalty to his hometown of Alamosa, Colorado, his life is an American dream—and a guide to timeless qualities of a leader.
Dalko: The Untold Story of Baseball's Fastest Pitcher
2021 Silver Winner
Authors: Bill Dembski, Alex Thomas, Brian Vikander
Publisher: Influence Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-64542-710-0
A fascinating and tragic story in baseball history, Dalko: The Untold Story of Baseball's Fastest Pitcher explores Steve Dalkowski's unmatched talent and the forces that worked against him. Eyewitness accounts offer readers unparalleled insight into the game of baseball and the complex relationship between athletes and the sports they love.
Radical Spirits: India's First Woman Doctor and Her American Champions
2021 Silver Winner
Author: Nandini Patwardhan
Publisher: Story Artisan Press
ISBN: 978-1-7340631-1-0
Radical Spirits is the inspiring story of India’s first woman doctor. Married at 10, mother at 13, MD at 22. Takes the reader to the fraught social and religious frontier between India and America in the late 1800s. Makes for a captivating story, every page granting insights into the age-old struggle to surmount entrenched borders and barriers.
2020 WINNERS - BIOGRAPHY
See below for the list of 2020 winners in the BIOGRAPHY category, for books with a copyright date of 2019.
Gertie: The Fabulous Life of Gertrude Sanford Legendre, Heiress, Explorer, Socialite, Spy
2020 Gold Winner
Author: Kathryn Smith
Publisher: Evening Post Books
ISBN: 978-1-929647-44-6
Gertrude Sanford Legendre, an heiress, explorer, socialite and spy, lived a 20th century life full of fun, adventure, derring-do and drama.
From Red Earth: A Rwandan Story of Healing and Forgiveness
2020 Silver Winner
Author: Denise Uwimana
Publisher: Plough Publishing House
ISBN: 978-0874869842
An exceptional personal account of a strong woman who survived against all odds and used her gifts to help others.
Mani/Pedi: A True-Life Rags-to-Riches Story
2020 Silver Winner
Author: Krista Beth Driver
Publisher: She Writes Press
ISBN: 978-1-63152-626-8
Charlie risked everything to escape from Vietnam with her young family and immigrated to the U.S. for a better life. She lived the American dream.
About the
Independent Book Publishers Association
Founded to support independent publishers nationwide, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) leads and serves the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,200 members, IBPA is the largest independent publishing association in the U.S. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry.
For more information, visit www.ibpa-online.org.
