The Booksellers Association is delighted to unveil the shortlisted titles for this year’s Indie Book Awards. The only awards for authors and illustrators judged by - and given on behalf of - independent bookshops, the Indie Book Awards is a standout moment in the year-round campaign activity of Books Are My Bag which showcases and promotes to consumers the vital and unique economic, cultural and community value that bookshops bring on a local and national level.

With the winners announced during Books Are My Bag’s annual Independent Bookshop Week (Saturday 14th – Saturday 21st June 2025), the Indie Book Awards celebrates and exemplifies the historic, close and mutually-beneficial relationship between authors and bookshops and their unrivalled, combined power to put the best books into the minds and hands of as many readers as possible.
 
Championing the best paperbacks of the summer across four categories (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s Fiction and Picture Book) - the Indie Books Awards shortlisted authors for 2025 include national treasure Jacqueline Wilson and her first adult fiction title Think Again, reknowned children’s author and winner of both the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Carnegie Medal David Almond, creator and illustrator of the bestselling and translated into 25 languages The Bear and the Piano trilogy David Litchfield, international bestselling author shortlisted for the Booker Prize, The Costa Book Award and The Woman’s Prize For Fiction Elif Shafak and key figure in the history of British feminism and co-founded of the legendary Silver Moon Women’s Bookshop Jane Cholmeley.
 
Emma Bradshaw, Head of Campaigns at the Booksellers Association, said: "At the Booksellers Association we are privileged to regularly witness the alchemy of authors and independent booksellers working in tandem to place the perfect books into the hands of exactly the right reader; it is a magical pairing of brilliant writers and expert curators. Therefore it is always a privilege to announce the shortlist for the Indie Book Awards, where we can bring the results of this partnership to as wide an audience as possible, alongside spotlighting some of the best and brightest summer reads for 2025."

A judging panel of independent booksellers will decide on the four winners, to be announced on Thursday 19 June during Independent Bookshop Week with the winners will being announced exclusively on Magic Classical.
 
The full Indie Book Awards 2025 shortlist:
 
Shortlist
 
Children’s
Finding Bear by Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Ghostlines by Katya Balen (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
Murder for Two by Niyla Farook (Piccadilly Press)
The Falling Boy by David Almond (Hodder Children's Books)
Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time by Salomey Doku (Harper Fire)
Reek by Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by George Caltsoudas (Barrington Stoke)
 
Picture Book
Bear by Natalia Shaloshvili (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)
The Dinosaur Next Door by David Litchfield (Magic Cat Publishing)
Farah Loves Mangoes by Sarthak Sinha (Flying Eye Books)
The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnlley (The O’Brien Press)
Invisible Dogs by Ruby Wright (Rocket Bird Books)
Runaway Cone by Morag Hood (Two Hoots)
 
Fiction
James by Percival Everett (Picador)
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (Viking)
The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry (Canongate Books)
Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan (Faber)
The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier (The Borough Press)
Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson (Bantam)
 
Non-Fiction
A Bookshop of One’s Own: How a group of women set out to change the world by Jane Cholmeley (Mudlark)
Dispersals: On Plants, Borders and Belonging by Jessica J. Lee (Transworld)
Ingrained: The making of a craftsman by Callum Robinson (Doubleday Books)
Reading Lessons: An English Teacher’s Love Letter to the Books that Shape Us by Carol Atherton (Fig Tree)
The Garden Against Time: In Search Of A Common Paradise by Olivia Laing (Picador)
Welcome to the Club: The life and lessons of a Black Woman DJ by DJ Paulette (Manchester University Press)
 
The Adult categories judging panel consists of Charlotte Vaughan (Kenilworth Books), Tom Owen (Gay on Wye), Amber Harrison (FOLDE), Jacqui Delbaere (The Little Green Bookshop) and Tomás Kenny (Kenny's Bookshop & Art Gallery)
 
The Children’s categories judging panel consists of Amy Moorhouse (The Thoughtful Spot Children’s Bookshop), Molly Murray (Seahorse Bookstore), Heather Slater (Forum Books), Trish Hennessy (Halfway Up the Stairs) and Sarah Skelton (The Book Nook Stewarton).
 
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Hannah Gold, author of Finding Bear said: “This is my third shortlisting for the Indie Book Awards (I haven't won yet, but here's hoping!) and it's honestly the most humbling accolade. Independent bookshops are the heartbeat of the high street, the all important link to local communities and in an age where reading for pleasure is on the decline with young people, they also possess the unique ability to make a profound impact on a school's reading culture. They're not enough just to be called booksellers, they really should be reclassified as national treasures!”
 
Katya Balen, author of Ghostlines said: “I am so thrilled to be shortlisted. My local independent bookshop made me a reader when I was a child, and being a reader made me a writer. Their care and interest and attention was the kind that can only come from being invested in books and getting those books to the people who would love them the most.”
 
Salomey Doku, author of Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time said:  “I’m thrilled that ‘Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time’ has been chosen for this shortlist! My graphic novel is a passion project that represents so much of my personal hopes and dreams. I greatly enjoyed creating it, and to think that it has the power to touch others in any capacity is deeply moving to me. My hope is that all who pick it up feel the love that went into crafting it, and find some comfort in its pages. I’m passionate that books should be accessible for all, so I’ve tried to reflect my love for books in my graphic novel. Having a bookworm as a protagonist, and having my main characters meet for the first time in a bookshop was incredibly special for me. Independent bookshops put books into the hands of readers of all levels and tastes. Their role is invaluable. I’m grateful whenever I find one, and can’t help dropping in to peruse the shelves - and of course, I usually leave with a new book!”
 
Alastair Chisholm , author of Reek said: "It’s wonderful to see Reek shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards! I love Indie bookshops, for their variety, their passion, their cultural impact and their local empowerment. Indie booksellers are the beating heart of publishing – real human beings reading books, sharing their recommendations and enthusiasm, and making the world a better place. Thank you!"
 
David Almond, author of The Falling Boy said: “What a delight it is to be shortlisted for this wonderful prize. I love all bookshops, but the independents have a special place in my heart. Each one has a personality all of its own, shaped by the owner and by the staff who are book-lovers themselves, who believe in the beauty and importance of books, who believe that books can enhance and change our world. The best indies know and understand the local community, draw in readers and browsers of all ages. They are friendly places where readers feel welcome and valued, where they can relax and roam, explore and discover. How great it is that there's a book prize that celebrates these places, which play such an important part in our social and cultural life.”
 
Natalia Shaloshvili, author of Bear said: "I feel overwhelmed and happy for Bear being shortlisted by people who love books is precious for the author."
 
David Litchfield, author of The Dinosaur Next Door said: “I am absolutely cockahoop to hear that 'The Dinosaur Next Door' has been nominated for the Indie Book Awards. In its own way the book is a celebration of the highstreet and the community that independent shops nurture. Indie Bookshops are the heart of a town or city and I fully appreciate the friendliness and almost zen like calmness that greets me every time that I enter one. One of my absolute favourite Indie Bookshops is Nomad Books on Fulham Road in South West London. I have been lucky enough to be involved in events in their shop and the staff are so welcoming, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. And they have a phenomenal children's book department which is always a good sign of a truly Stirling establishment.”
 
Sarthak Sinha, author of Farah Loves Mangoes said: “It's an incredible honour of course to be on the list for the best picture books, being nominated by independent bookstores makes it even more so. These bookshops feel less like shops and more like portals to other worlds and times and should be cherished deeply. It's beautiful to see how much love they put in towards curating their collection. In France where I stay, they are also seen as progressive hotspots that help amplify the upcoming voices and perspectives. These are buoyant spaces that challenge the norm. They keep the streets fresh I believe. I stay on a mountain close to a city and make it a point to visit some indie bookshops each time I make a round to the city. I am immensely grateful to be nominated by such a community.”

Paddy Donnelly, author of The Golden Hare said: “I'm absolutely thrilled that The Golden Hare has been shortlisted for this award. Just to know that my book was chosen by independent booksellers means the world to me. This is a special story for me personally as it's based on a phenomenon from back home, and I'm delighted to have it nominated. Independent bookshops are extremely important to our high streets. There's nothing like the personal shopping experience and customer service you receive when you enter an independent bookshop. They have a diverse range of books that you don't get anywhere else, and it's comforting to know the money you spend in an independent bookshop is staying local. Their support for local and emerging authors and illustrators is also a hugely important factor in establishing many artists' careers.’
 
Ruby Wright, author of Invisible Dogs said: “One of the best things about making picture books is that you sometimes get invited into independent book shops to paint a window. I’ve been lucky to paint quite a few and what always strikes me, as I sit in those windows with my paintbrushes and my coffee, is what an extraordinary service these booksellers provide. A customer will come in and ask for something for a reluctant reader who likes comedy and action heroes, or for a birthday book for a toddler who is interested in bugs but has probably already got all the books about bugs, or for a child who has started potty training, or who is refusing to wear shoes, or who is struggling with friendships. And for all those children there is a book and that bookseller will know exactly which one will hit the spot. And they will also know lots of OTHER books that will also hit the spot. It’s a superpower. These independent bookshops are safe spaces for tired parents, quiet browsers and after-school teenagers. They take in parcels for neighbours, locate lost gloves, stock books for local authors and track down rare copies of distantly remembered novels. They are the beating heart of the high street. And so it an absolute honour to be shortlisted for an Indie Book Award. I realise that in a bookshop on a high street, someone may have asked for a picture book featuring a child who doesn’t live with both their parents, or a book about a dog, or about a child struggling with school, and maybe the book seller pointed that customer towards my book. And for that I am incredibly grateful. So let’s celebrate our local independent book shops, and remember that those extra services they cheerily provide, and which you certainly don’t get when you shop online, are all included in the price of the book.”
 
Morag Hood, author of Runaway Cones said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for The Indie Book Awards! Independent Bookshops are the best, filled with knowledgeable booksellers, local community and always with the most enticing selection of books. I really value the authentic connections they make between authors/illustrators and the communities they serve, and it is such an honour to have their support.”

Elif Shafak, author of There Are Rivers in the Sky said: "I am so thrilled and truly honoured to learn that my novel There Are Rivers in the Sky has been shortlisted for the Indie Bookshops awards. Independent bookstores are the heart and soul of literary communities across the world and the support from booksellers means a lot to me, thank you from the heart."
 
Kevin Barry, author of The Heart in Winter said: “It's a thrill to have my novel on the shortlist. I've been haunting indie bookshops since I was a child, they educated and entertained me, and to have The Heart Of Winter get this nod of recognition from the booksellers is a delight.”
 
Andrew O’Hagan, author of Caledonian Road said: “This shortlisting for Caledonian Road means the world to me, because my enthusiasm for independent bookselling is pretty boundless. I love the fact that the expertise and the human touch you find in independent booksellers is celebrated by the Booksellers Association, and I feel proud to be one of the authors included. My relationship with independent shops is crucial to me; it describes a great deal of the fun and camaraderie to be enjoyed in this business. In my opinion, the inhabitants of British high streets with indie bookshops  should celebrate their good luck on a daily basis. For a lot of us, it’s where culture and entertainment and great conversations about books really begin, and I couldn’t live without those beautiful emporiums, staffed by people who really care about what we write and what they sell. Hats off and respect due!”

Tracy Chevalier, author of The Glassmaker said: “I am so thrilled that The Glassmaker has been shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards fiction award! I adore independent bookshops. They brighten high streets and feel like a refuge, a place where I will find my tribe of people who love books as much as I do. To be chosen by them for this shortlist is a huge honour.”
 
Jacqueline Wilson, author of Think Again said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be short-listed for the Indie Book Awards Fiction category.  I think I must be one of the biggest champions of independent bookshops.  I’ve loved them ever since I was little and clutching my half crown in my hot hand, wanting to buy another Puffin.  The owners were invariably kind to me, chatting to me about my choice, and recommending other books I might enjoy. They’re still lovely to me now, whether I’m doing an event for them, or simply indulging my love of literature. My book budget has gone up considerably nowadays.  I can spend a fortune in antiquarian bookshops, but still can’t resist a rummage in the most modest bookshop with unstable shelves up to the ceiling.  I always love doing events for indie bookshops. There are at least fifty I’d like to name and thank for giving me thousands of hours of pleasure throughout my life.”
 
Jane Cholmeley, author of A Bookshop of One’s Own said: “A Bookshop of One’s Own is a love letter to independent bookshops, from my own experience of Silver Moon Women’s Bookshop (1984 – 2001). The years I ran Silver Moon were the happiest of my life – talking to customers, welcoming authors, navigating the politics of the era and, yes, trying to make the finances work. I am honoured and thrilled to be short listed for this award. Indie bookshops provide choice and connection. Indie bookshops don’t just sell books; they serve their communities. They are absolutely vital. Independent bookshops are in my heart and soul.”

Callum Robinson, author of Ingrained said: “I grew up in a quiet rural area before the internet or mobile phones - before all the noise got out of control - and for me the independent booksellers on my local high streets were far more than shops; they were portals to other worlds. Forty years later, so they remain. But having since tried my own hand at retail, I've some notion of the challenges that bricks and mortar businesses face every day, and just how hard it is to survive in our modern commercial age. So mixed in with my abiding love of these special places, is a deep well of respect for the passionate people who make them what they are. Up and down the country they are all sowing the seeds for the writers, thinkers, and dreamers of tomorrow, and having them in our towns and villages is a remarkable gift. It’s humbling and absolutely delightful, then, to be shortlisted for this wonderful award.”

Jessica J. Lee, author of Dispersals said: “I'm so thrilled and grateful to know that Dispersals has the support of so many indie booksellers. Writing it was a bit of an experimental process for me—working in fragments, in shorter essays, all during a period of personal change—and it is largely through the encouragement of passionate booksellers and readers that I've felt confident to do so. Indie booksellers have championed my work since the start of my career and put a personal face to an industry that often feels like bit of a maze. A real testament to the idea that many hands go into making a book work.”
 
Carol Athertton, author of Reading Lessons said: “It’s an enormous honour to be shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards’ non-fiction category! The journey to writing Reading Lessons began with the many visits to the local independent bookshop that I made as a teenager – a colourful, welcoming space that gathered me in and provided me with a door to another world. Independent bookshops – vibrant, imaginative, quirky and inspiring – are absolutely vital to the health of our high streets, and shine out as a powerful beacon for booklovers everywhere.”
 
Olivia Lang, author of The Garden Against Time said: “I am totally thrilled by this news. I know that my career has been founded on the support of independent booksellers and I am very grateful for every single hand-sold book. In this new era of barbarism, I think the bookshop is more important than ever, as a source of both facts and ideas, a seedbank for the imagination and a citadel of truth. We need one in every town and city all across the world.”
 
DJ Paulette, author of Welcome to the Club: The Life and Lessons of a Black Woman DJ said: “Wow. This is a proud moment indeed. It is a thrill and a great honour to have my debut book, Welcome To The Club: the life and lessons of a Black woman DJ shortlisted in the Non-Fiction category in the Indie Book Awards! I have always believed that my story would resonate far beyond the DJ / music world; the nomination signals that no matter what gender, race, class, creed or colour and no matter what discipline, or career path you follow, that every person and every story matters. Writing, becoming a published author and being nominated for an award for doing it is a dream of mine and validation by the publishing industry is a seal of authenticity and excellence. At a time when knowledge, education, the arts and libraries are coming under attack, it is more important than ever for publishers and book shops together to champion the truth over misinformation, to keep the offline back up thriving, to double down on archiving and to find and support the story tellers who can write the hidden stories and commit them to print. Independent bookstores support and elevate these stories and writers and are crucial in providing community hubs that offer a world of variety, discovery of different voices, of unity, and of the flow of information that both challenges the status quo and inspires the exchange of ideas.  Thank you”
 
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