Yes, I’ll add that to my portfolio.
The Indieverse Awards were started in 2024 by Kristina Carmela. Carmela noticed the unfortunate lack of accessibility in major book awards. Most, if not all, do not cater to independently published authors. In this context, independently published referring to authors who either self-published their work, or published through a smaller independent publisher. For example, I published my first book through Alien Buddha Press. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as Penguin Random House, does it?
This noticeable lack inspired Carmela to craft a space that would not only celebrate, but also prioritize, independent authors and their collaborators. Thus, The Indieverse Awards were born. The ’24 awards touted roughly 55+ winners across various categories, spotlighting all sorts of themes, tropes, genres, authors, artists, and collaborative media like blogs and podcasts as well.
With a spotlight on books published within the previous year, I submitted my (now) 1 year old chapbook, (No) I am (not) okay for nomination. I was awarded nomination in the categories “Best Poetry Book” and “Perfect Poem”. The roughly 9 months between nomination and voting, was meant to encourage nominees and readers alike to get acquainted with all the creative work up for each category. It also provided wonderful opportunities for community building, interaction, and connectivity that transcended genre. It also was just long enough that I was able to periodically forget that I would have to campaign for votes as November drew closer.
To be frank, I was simply excited to have passed the vetting stage and receive nomination. Much less to receive a nomination for multiple categories. I truthfully didn’t have high expectations for winning. Most of the other poets had seemingly more engaged audiences than I and definitely visibly had much bigger presences on social media. Nevertheless, I was excited, grateful, and optimistic that anything could happen. Which led to me waking up, on the day winners were announced, to both the announcement email, and a video message on Instagram from one of my fellow nominees.
Suffice it to say, adding award-winning poet to my resume and bio invokes a number of feelings. It feels special. It feels surreal. It does spike my impostor syndrome a bit. But I don’t dwell on that. I won’t diminish myself or my work in that way.
If you’re an independent author, or know one, consider learning more about The Indieverse Awards. Perhaps you, or they, too could join the pantheon of incredible artists and works included in the ranks of current and previous winners.
Dre Hill 