Indie Ink Awards 2022

Indie Ink Awards 2022 header art

Books by marginalized authors, self-published books, and books by small presses often get overlooked. The Indie Ink Awards is a unique event that brings together the writing community to celebrate books that have made an impact on us. This is our way of highlighting the future we want to see in books–by uplifting those that shine.

The Indie Ink Awards will begin with nominations. In July 2022, you will be able to nominate your favorite books for over 30 different awards. All voting will take place right here on IndieStoryGeek.com.

We have two categories: the "Best In" awards and the "Writing The Future We Need" awards. The "Best In" awards should exemplify the chosen category. We are looking for exceptional inclusion and diversity in works nominated for "Writing the Future We Need" awards. Readers can nominate books for as many awards of either category as they think fit.

Only self published/small press books will be considered, AND they must be on Indie Story Geek. Those published by a subsidiary of the Big 4 are not eligible. If you're an author and your book is not on Indie Story Geek, you may create an account and submit your book. You are not allowed to nominate your work, but you are encouraged to let your readers know that the Indie Ink Awards are taking place so they can nominate and vote.

Once the nomination period starts, books will go through a process of elimination.
The contest has four phases:


Winners will be announced in our awards ceremony on May 27th from 12pm PDT/3pm EDT to 2pm PDT/5pm EDT, on WriteHive's Discord in our book-nook channel!

We'll record the audio and have that posted for anyone to listen to afterwards, so if you aren't able to make it, you can still celebrate these amazing indie books along with us. The list of winners will be posted on Indie Story Geek after the awards ceremony.

For more information, see WriteHive's Indie Ink Awards page. Or, meet the judges here!


Congratuations Winners!


Best Audio Narration

Never Die (Mortal Techniques #1) by Rob J. Hayes
Winner
A Surplus of Light by Chase Connor
Finalist
Along the Razor's Edge by Rob J. Hayes
Finalist
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
His Ragged Company by Rance D. Denton
Finalist
In Solitude's Shadow  by David Green
Finalist
Night Warrior by Jordan J. Scavone
Finalist
Shadow Of The Wicked by Douglas W.T. Smith
Finalist
Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Finalist
Wyrd Gods by Susana Imaginário
Finalist

Best Book Cover & Cover Artist

Birthright by M.A. Vice
Winner
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Night Warrior by Jordan J. Scavone
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist
The Trials of Ashmount by John Palladino
Finalist
Undergrounder by J. E. Glass
Finalist

Best Debut

Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Winner
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Ghost River by Chad Ryan
Finalist
His Ragged Company by Rance D. Denton
Finalist
Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist
The Rarkyn's Familiar by Nikky Lee
Finalist
Undergrounder by J. E. Glass
Finalist

Best Friendship

The Rarkyn's Familiar by Nikky Lee
Winner
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows
Finalist
Bonkpocalypse  by L. A. Guettler
Finalist
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
The Garden of the Golden Children by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele
Finalist
The Trials of Ashmount by John Palladino
Finalist

Best Interior Illustrator

The Call for Finis: Pride by A.J. Torres
Winner
A Bargain with the Fae King (Courts of Faery Book 1) by Megan Van Dyke
Finalist
APPRENTICE  -  a story from the Road to Xibalba by Joaquin Gil
Finalist
Afterlands: After the Harrowing by Boots
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
In the Orbit of Sirens by T.A. Bruno
Finalist
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
Finalist
METANOIA The Fifth Yanai: Book One by Juniper Lake Fitzgerald
Finalist
Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke
Finalist
The Crows by C.M Rosens
Finalist
The Unraveling of Luna Forester  by Marisa Noelle
Finalist
Vietato by Bailey Elizabeth
Finalist
Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Finalist

Best Light Read

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson
Winner
A Sea of Pearls & Leaves by Rosalyn Briar
Finalist
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
In Solitude's Shadow  by David Green
Finalist
Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke
Finalist
Soulmate, Stage Right by Bixby Jones
Finalist
The Case Files of Sheridan Bell: The Vanishing Beast by Em Rowene
Finalist
Why Odin Drinks by Bjørn Larssen
Finalist

Best Mentor Character

Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Winner
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows
Finalist
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
Gloria by  Katherine Shaw
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
In Solitude's Shadow  by David Green
Finalist
In the Orbit of Sirens by T.A. Bruno
Finalist
Soul Wizard: Awakening by Wesley CP
Finalist
Spirits of Vengeance by Rob J. Hayes
Finalist
Untouched by Jayme Bean
Finalist

Best Morally Gray Character

A Canticle of Two Souls by Steven Raaymakers
Winner
Ghost River by Chad Ryan
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Case Files of Sheridan Bell: The Vanishing Beast by Em Rowene
Finalist
The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist
The Rarkyn's Familiar by Nikky Lee
Finalist

Best Setting

Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Winner
The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies
Winner
His Ragged Company by Rance D. Denton
Finalist
Merchants of Knowledge and Magic by Erika McCorkle
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Ringlander: The Path and the Way by Michael S. Jackson
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Case Files of Sheridan Bell: The Vanishing Beast by Em Rowene
Finalist
The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist
The Garden of the Golden Children by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist

Best Use of Tropes

Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Winner
Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows
Finalist
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
Finalist
Night Warrior by Jordan J. Scavone
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper
Finalist
Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Finalist

Best Villain

The Trials of Ashmount by John Palladino
Winner
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
Ghost River by Chad Ryan
Finalist
Merchants of Knowledge and Magic by Erika McCorkle
Finalist
Night Warrior by Jordan J. Scavone
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist

Funniest

Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson
Winner
Bonkpocalypse  by L. A. Guettler
Finalist
Double-Crossing the Bridge by Sarah J Sover
Finalist
Duckett & Dyer: Dicks For Hire by G.M. Nair
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
Soulmate, Stage Right by Bixby Jones
Finalist
The Trials of Ashmount by John Palladino
Finalist
Why Odin Drinks by Bjørn Larssen
Finalist

Most Optimistic

EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Winner
Bonkpocalypse  by L. A. Guettler
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
In Solitude's Shadow  by David Green
Finalist
Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson
Finalist
Moonlight Love and Witchcraft by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
Soul Wizard: Awakening by Wesley CP
Finalist
The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele
Finalist
The Last Gifts of the Universe by Rory August
Finalist

Prettiest Book Interior

In the Orbit of Sirens by T.A. Bruno
Winner
Adrift in Starlight by Mindi Briar
Finalist
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans
Finalist
Ringlander: The Path and the Way by Michael S. Jackson
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
Soul Wizard: Awakening by Wesley CP
Finalist

Prettiest Prose

The Rarkyn's Familiar by Nikky Lee
Winner
EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar
Finalist
Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons by Quenby Olson
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Of Honey and Wildfires (Songs of Sefate #1) by Sarah Chorn
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist
The Garden of the Golden Children by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist

Shadiest Character

Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Winner
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Winner
A Bargain with the Fae King (Courts of Faery Book 1) by Megan Van Dyke
Finalist
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
Cleansing Rain by Holly Ash
Finalist
Ghost River by Chad Ryan
Finalist
Gloria by  Katherine Shaw
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Path Of War by David Green
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist

Side Character MVP

The Rarkyn's Familiar by Nikky Lee
Winner
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
His Ragged Company by Rance D. Denton
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist
Voice of War (Threadlight Book 1) by Zack Argyle
Finalist
Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Finalist

This Book Made Me Hungry/Thirsty

Baker Thief by Claudie Arseneault
Winner
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar
Finalist
Nightfall by M.A. Vice
Finalist
Path Of War by David Green
Finalist
Ringlander: The Path and the Way by Michael S. Jackson
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Last Lumenian by S.G. Blaise
Finalist

Wiliest Character

Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Winner
Birthright by M.A. Vice
Finalist
Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows
Finalist
Ghost River by Chad Ryan
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Merchants of Knowledge and Magic by Erika McCorkle
Finalist
Prince of the Sorrows by Kellen Graves
Finalist
Ringlander: The Path and the Way by Michael S. Jackson
Finalist
The Feast of the Innocents  by Colin Harker
Finalist
The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele
Finalist

Wittiest Character

The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies
Winner
Along the Razor's Edge by Rob J. Hayes
Finalist
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
Bonkpocalypse  by L. A. Guettler
Finalist
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Heroes by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
Nightfall by M.A. Vice
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist
The Trials of Ashmount by John Palladino
Finalist
Why Odin Drinks by Bjørn Larssen
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Asexual Representation

Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn
Winner
Adrift in Starlight by Mindi Briar
Finalist
Baker Thief by Claudie Arseneault
Finalist
Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows
Finalist
Breaker by Amy Campbell
Finalist
Children by Bjorn Larssen
Finalist
Merchants of Knowledge and Magic by Erika McCorkle
Finalist
Nightfall by M.A. Vice
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
The Living Waters by Dan Fitzgerald
Finalist
The Murder Next Door by Sarah Bell
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Asian Representation by an Asian author

Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Winner
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Bisexual Representation

A Sea of Pearls & Leaves by Rosalyn Briar
Winner
A Bitter Drink by Azalea Forrest
Finalist
Amulet of Wishes by Rita A. Rubin
Finalist
Empire's Heir by Marian L Thorpe
Finalist
Falling Through the Weaving by Leia Talon
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Once Stolen by D.N. Bryn
Finalist
Paper Forests by Tegan Anderson
Finalist
The Wall by Sarah Jane Singer
Finalist
Untouched by Jayme Bean
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Black Representation by a Black author

Elevated Inferno by Carlotta Ardell
Winner
Bones to the Wind by Tatiana Obey
Finalist
Elemental: Shadows of Otherside Book 1 by Whitney Hill
Finalist
Heard: How Loss Led Us to Love by Ligia Cushman
Finalist
Mud Crab Kingdom: The Soft-Shelled Prince  by Dr. Joel Anthony Hamilton
Finalist
She Steals Justice by J. Clark
Finalist
The Brother's Curse (The Brother's Curse Saga Book 1) by Christine M. Germain
Finalist
The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Disability Representation by a disabled author

Of Honey and Wildfires (Songs of Sefate #1) by Sarah Chorn
Winner
A Feeling Like Home by Haleigh Wenger
Finalist
Birthright by M.A. Vice
Finalist
Once Stolen by D.N. Bryn
Finalist
Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn
Finalist
Speechless in Achten Tan by Debbie Iancu Haddad
Finalist
The Stars Will Guide Us Back by Rue Sparks
Finalist
The Unraveling of Luna Forester  by Marisa Noelle
Finalist
When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Chair by Ryan Rae Harbuck
Finalist
Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Gay Representation

Mazarin Blues by Al Hess
Winner
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Finalist
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
Finalist
METANOIA The Fifth Yanai: Book One by Juniper Lake Fitzgerald
Finalist
Obsidian: Awakening by Sienna Frost
Finalist
Odder Still by D.N. Bryn
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
Ringlander: The Path and the Way by Michael S. Jackson
Finalist
The Oracle Stone by Talli L. Morgan
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Indigenous Representation by an Indigenous author

Ope' by Yulu Ewis
Winner

Writing the Future We Need: LGBTQ+ Representation

EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Winner
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Legacy of the Brightwash by Krystle Matar
Finalist
Merchants of Knowledge and Magic by Erika McCorkle
Finalist
Path Of War by David Green
Finalist
Ringlander: The Path and the Way by Michael S. Jackson
Finalist
String of Stardust by James Margaret Rose
Finalist
The Iron Crown by L L Macrae
Finalist
The Oracle Stone by Talli L. Morgan
Finalist
Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Latinx/Latine Representation by a Latinx/Latine author

EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Winner
Cradle of Sea and Soil by Bernie Anés Paz
Finalist
Heard: How Loss Led Us to Love by Ligia Cushman
Finalist
Hurricanes 2007 by DarĂ­o Aguilar Peregrina
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Lesbian Representation

Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore
Winner
Amulet of Wishes by Rita A. Rubin
Finalist
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Moonlight Love and Witchcraft by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea
Finalist
Of Honey and Wildfires (Songs of Sefate #1) by Sarah Chorn
Finalist
Path Of War by David Green
Finalist
Ringlander: The Path and the Way by Michael S. Jackson
Finalist
The Iron Crown by L L Macrae
Finalist
The Murder Next Door by Sarah Bell
Finalist
Undergrounder by J. E. Glass
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Mental Health Representation

Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Winner
A Canticle of Two Souls by Steven Raaymakers
Finalist
Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1 by Lucy A. McLaren
Finalist
Children by Bjorn Larssen
Finalist
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
Finalist
Odder Still by D.N. Bryn
Finalist
Of Honey and Wildfires (Songs of Sefate #1) by Sarah Chorn
Finalist
The Garden of the Golden Children by Ashley Hutchison
Finalist
The Iron Crown by L L Macrae
Finalist
The Rarkyn's Familiar by Nikky Lee
Finalist
Untouched by Jayme Bean
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Neurodivergent Representation by a Neurodivergent author

Untouched by Jayme Bean
Winner
Children by Bjorn Larssen
Finalist
Each Little Universe by Chris Durston
Finalist
METANOIA The Fifth Yanai: Book One by Juniper Lake Fitzgerald
Finalist
Mazarin Blues by Al Hess
Finalist
Once Stolen by D.N. Bryn
Finalist
Path Of War by David Green
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
The Case Files of Sheridan Bell: The Vanishing Beast by Em Rowene
Finalist
The Old Love And The New by Alistair Caradec
Finalist
The Unraveling of Luna Forester  by Marisa Noelle
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Nonbinary Representation

Our Bloody Pearl by D.N. Bryn
Winner
A Bitter Drink by Azalea Forrest
Finalist
Adrift in Starlight by Mindi Briar
Finalist
Baker Thief by Claudie Arseneault
Finalist
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride by SJ Whitby
Finalist
Jati's Wager by Jonathan Nevair
Finalist
Moonlight Love and Witchcraft by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea
Finalist
Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Finalist
The Fable of Wren by Rue Sparks
Finalist
The Last Gifts of the Universe by Rory August
Finalist

Writing the Future We Need: Trans Representation

Perception Check by Astrid Knight
Winner
EXODUS 20:3 by FreydĂ­s Moon
Finalist
Mazarin Blues by Al Hess
Finalist
Moonlight Love and Witchcraft by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea
Finalist
Odder Still by D.N. Bryn
Finalist
Of Honey and Wildfires (Songs of Sefate #1) by Sarah Chorn
Finalist
Structural Integrity by Tabitha O'Connell
Finalist
The Fable of Wren by Rue Sparks
Finalist


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