Yesterday brought a surprise to my doorstep—a small, mysterious package I hadn’t ordered! Inside, I discovered something completely unexpected: a formal letter, a commemorative medal, and a collection of celebratory stickers. The contents revealed that my book had earned Finalist status in the Animals/Pets category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is an international recognition program for independent authors and publishers. Each May, they announce winners and five finalists across multiple categories, making any placement a significant accomplishment in the indie publishing world.
Their original email, notifying me of my placement, had been lost in the system, leaving me unaware of my achievement. While I was thrilled to receive recognition, the delayed discovery meant I’d missed the awards gala—without knowing I was supposed to RSVP, I couldn’t attend the celebration.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson about staying proactive with industry opportunities. Rather than relying solely on email notifications, I will regularly monitor award websites and mark announcement dates on my calendar. Sometimes the most important news doesn’t find its way to your inbox—you have to seek it out yourself!
