Who has won a Best Book Award or an International Book Award?
Below, we have featured authors who are either established or who were honored early in their careers by our Best Book team before they went on to massive success within the publishing industry. Laureate books were entered by the author, their agent, or their publishing house at the time. All historical results can be found on the award archive links below.
“It is amazing to review the results that our award programs have had over the last several decades. Here are some of the more famous laureates who have been honored. We will continue to highlight self-published, indie, and mainstream titles now and in the future!” –Jeffrey Keen, President & CEO, American Book Fest
The Best Book Awards were launched in 2003. Now in its 23rd year, The Best Book Awards are one of the largest mainstream book award competitions in the United States.
Before the co-authors of Elf on the Shelf grew into the world wide phenomenon, they self-published their activity book and grew their platform organically. The Best Book Awards were an early adopter and we recognized that their story and concept were very special. Now, every Christmas season, their company sells $7-$10+ million dollars in product.
2008 Best Book Award Winner for The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Activity Book in the "Children's Activity Book" category.
POPE FRANCIS was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a young man, he worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before entering the Jesuits. He was ordained a priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979, was Argentina's Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and was appointed a Cardinal in 2001. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, Bergoglio was named his successor on 13 March. He chose the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European Pope in over 1200 years. Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths.
2020 International Book Award Winner for On Faith in the "Religion: Christian Inspirational" category, and Pope Francis Says... in the "Children's Religious" category.
Martin Luther King III is a global human rights advocate and the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. A champion for nonviolence and social justice, he has inspired millions, advised heads of state, and led civil rights initiatives on nearly every continent. Martin served two terms on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners before leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which was founded by his father. He continues his father’s legacy through his work with the Drum Major Institute, focusing on poverty, racism and militarism.
JULIE ANDREWS EDWARDS is one of the most recognized and beloved figures in the entertainment industry. Her legendary career encompasses the Broadway and London stages, blockbuster Hollywood films, award-winning television shows, multiple album releases and concert tours and the world of children's publishing.
George Saunders is the author of eight books, including the story collections Pastoralia and Tenth of December, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. He has received fellowships from the Lannan Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Guggenheim Foundation. In 2006 he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. In 2013 he was awarded the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in Short Fiction and was included in Time’s list of the one hundred most influential people in the world. He teaches in the creative writing program at Syracuse University.
A young entrepreneur, an industry pioneer, a highly regarded marketing expert, and a man who has surpassed new heights of commercial and financial success are just a few ways people have described Daymond John. Over the last 20 years, Daymond has evolved from one of the most successful fashion icons of his generation to one of the most sought after branding experts, business, and motivational speakers in the country.
Daymond's creative vision and strong knowledge of the marketplace helped him create one of the most iconic fashion brands in recent years. FUBU, standing for "For Us By Us", represented a lifestyle that was neglected by other clothing companies. Realizing this need in the marketplace, Daymond created the untapped urban apparel space and laid the groundwork for other companies to compete in this newly established market.
Kitty Kelly is an internationally acclaimed writer whose last book, Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography, sold faster than any biography in publishing history. Before that, her book about Frank Sinatra, His Way set another publishing record as the biggest-selling biography. Jackie Oh! and Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star were also international bestsellers. Kelley, who has been honored by her peers, received the 1987 Outstanding Author Award from the American Society of Journalist and Authors "for her courageous writing on popular culture." She also received the Philip M. Stern Award from Washington Independent Writers for "her outstanding service to writers and the writing profession" as well as the Medal of Merit from the Lotus Club of New York City. In 1993, Brandeis University National Women's Committee established a major book collection in her honor.
The Biology of Belief is still a 2019 top-25-selling book in the United States even after 10+ years from the original publication!
Originally self-published, and after receiving a Best Book Award, the book was picked up by Hay House and re-issued with a prominent Best Book logo on its cover celebrating 300,000+ copies sold at the time!
It has been ten years since the publication of The Biology of Belief, Bruce Lipton’s seminal book on the relationship between mind and body that changed the way we think about our lives, our health, and our planet. During that time, research in this field has grown exponentially —Lipton’s groundbreaking experiments have now been endorsed by more than a decade of rigorous scientific study.
Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D., a renowned cell biologist, describes the precise molecular pathways through which this occurs. Using simple language, illustrations, humor, and everyday examples, he demonstrates how the new science of epigenetics is revolutionizing our understanding of the link between mind and matter, and the profound effects it has on our personal lives and the collective life of our species.
Best Book Award Winner for The Biology of Belief (Original Self-Published Edition)
Bob Odenkirk has won two Emmy Awards for his work on Saturday Night Live and The Ben Stiller Show. He cocreated and starred in Mr. Show with Bob and David, which ran on HBO and has been called the American Monty Python. Odenkirk had a regular page in Vice magazine and has written short comic pieces for the New Yorker; directed the feature films Melvin Goes to Dinner, Let's Go to Prison,and The Brothers Solomon; and had many memorable roles on television, most notably The Larry Sanders Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, How I Met Your Mother, and The Office. Odenkirk has become known as Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad and the new spin-off, Better Call Saul.
Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today. Having sold millions of records worldwide, Vanessa has also achieved numerous #1 and Top 10 hits on various Billboard Album and Singles charts: Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary, Holiday, Latin, Gospel and Jazz.
Her critically acclaimed work in film, television, recordings and the Broadway stage has been recognized by every major industry award affiliate including 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations, 7 NAACP Image Awards and 3 Satellite Awards. Her platinum single "Colors of the Wind," from the Disney’s Pocahontas, won the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
From singer, actress, and dancer Vanessa Williams comes a sweet, sparkling story about a young girl whose beloved pet fish has wonderful, magical powers.
In the mid-1980s, LGBTQ+ trailblazer Brian Edwards carved his path alongside icons like Donna Summer and Joan Rivers. Over the decades, he built a reputation as a multi-award-winning talent executive, client relations rep, producer, writer, and occasional performer – working with some of the most recognizable names in show business: Cindy Crawford, Susan Sarandon, Melissa Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Farrah Fawcett, Shirley Jones, Naomi Judd, and Vanessa Williams—just to name a few. His legacy even takes the stage in the Tony-nominated Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, where Edwards is portrayed—reminding us that the voices behind the scenes deserve to be honored just as boldly as those in front of them.
Now, Edwards returns with his third collection of life stories, Come Sit With Me and Let’s Talk—an unfiltered, heartfelt companion to Enter Miss Thang (2013) and I Might Have Been Queen (2019). This latest volume distills Edwards’ singular journey into the intimacy of a heart-to-heart, blending the most memorable stories from his earlier books with fresh recollections, untold chapters, and photos. He shares the triumphs and trials that shaped a career defined by resilience, recognition, and influence—offering perspective, encouragement, and the kind of advice that only comes from living it.
New York Times-bestselling author Sue Grafton is published in twenty-eight countries and twenty-six languages--including Estonian, Bulgarian, and Indonesian. Books in her alphabet series, begun in 1982, are international bestsellers with readership in the millions. And like Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald, Grafton has earned new respect for the mystery form. Readers appreciate her buoyant style, her eye for detail, her deft hand with character, her acute social observances, and her abundant storytelling prowess. She has been named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America (2009) and is a recipient of the Ross Macdonald Literary Award (2004). Grafton passed away in 2017.
Amy Tan is the author of The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God's Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter's Daughter, The Opposite of Fate: Memories of a Writing Life, and two children's books, The Moon Lady and Sagwa, which has now been adapted as a PBS production. Tan was also a co-producer and co-screenwriter of the film version of The Joy Luck Club, and her essays and stories have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. Her work has been translated into thirty-five languages. She lives with her husband in San Francisco and New York.
Anne Lamott is the New York Times bestselling author of Help, Thanks, Wow; Small Victories; Stitches; Some Assembly Required; Grace (Eventually); Plan B; Traveling Mercies; Bird by Bird; Operating Instructions, and the forthcoming Hallelujah Anyway. She is also the author of several novels, including Imperfect Birds and Rosie. A past recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and an inductee to the California Hall of Fame, she lives in Northern California.
Rhonda Byrne is the creator behind The Secret, a documentary film that swept the world in 2006, changing millions of lives and igniting a global movement. The following year Rhonda's book of The Secret was released, which was translated into over fifty languages and remains one of the longest-running bestsellers of this century. Rhonda has written three more bestselling books since, which together form The Secret Books Series: The Power in 2009, The Magic in 2010, and Hero in 2013.
As an actress, Mara was “Darla Cook” on Days Of Our Lives, and has won awards for her theatrical appearances in Mary Shelley: In Her Own Words, as well as critical acclaim for her performances in Becoming Julia Morgan and Sea Marks. She was named one of twelve Women of the Year by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women.
She has written more than 200 audio plays, as well as screenplays and theatrical plays. A frequent speaker at writing conferences and women’s events, she is CEO of Haven Books, LLC, where she consults for authors in multiple genres. Visit Mara’s website
2006 Best Book Award What the Heart Knows
2012 Best Book Award When Hummers Dream
2018 American Fiction Award When Otters Play
2020 American Fiction Award When the Heart Listens
2020 Best Book Award When Angels Paint
2021 American Fiction Award What the Soul Suspects
Dr. Judith Briles is a Speaker, Author of 48 books and Publishing expert, Host of the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 21 million downloads, and the President and the CEO of The Book Shepherd and Mile High Press. Her books published under the Mile High Press imprint have earned over 60 national book awards and been published in 17 countries.
She was the first person to receive the Dan Poynter Legacy Award in Nonfiction and was honored to be named a Woman of Distinction from the Girl Scouts of America. She is the Founder of AuthorYOU, the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame and visionary for the Aspiring Authors Scholarship program. The next major project she'll be working on to benefit the Colorado community and the authors within it is the creation of the program, Getting Kids to Read.
Judith is an advocate for authors, knowing book marketing and publishing inside and out and is also known as The Book Shepherd, coaching and guiding more than 1600 authors to publishing success in multiple genres. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and annual meetings for associations. Her author website is JudithBrilesBooks.
Best Book Award & International Book Award Winner in multiple categories: 2008-2025
MARK NEPO moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world with his #1 New York Times bestseller The Book of Awakening. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark has been called "one of the finest spiritual guides of our time," "a consummate storyteller," and "an eloquent spiritual teacher." His work is widely accessible and used by many and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A bestselling author, he has published twenty books and recorded fourteen audio projects. In 2015, he was given a Life-Achievement Award by AgeNation. In 2016, he was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People, and was also chosen as one of OWN's SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity. And In 2017 Mark became a regular columnist for Spirituality & Health Magazine.
Peter Lik stands at the summit of landscape photography. World-renowned, highly awarded, and boasting a huge international following, Lik's journey had humble origins. Born in Melbourne, Australia, to Czech immigrants, it was his parents' gift of a Kodak Brownie camera on his eighth birthday that set young Peter's course.
Entirely self-taught, Lik worked hard at his craft before making a life-changing decision: to come to the United States in 1984. A defining moment in Lik's life came when he was introduced to the medium format panoramic camera. This larger-than-life camera compelled Peter to rise to its challenge to "Go big or go home."
“What an honor,” Mr Lik said. “To go up against these giants in the industry, and come out with an award– let alone three – is incredibly gratifying. Thanks to Best Book Awards for adding to this magical year. ”
Best Book Award Winner for Equation in Time International Book Award Winner for Equation in Time
Dr. Simon is a mental health counselor, nationally certified and licensed in the state of Arizona, specializing in trauma and EMDR. She is a higher-education professional who has served as an experienced adjunct faculty member at multiple universities and has twenty-five years of experience teaching adult learners. Jenny holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Transformative Learning and Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
She is the author of several award-winning books, including "Do I Need a Therapist? A Consumer's Guide to Navigating Mental Health Services" and "Returning to Orbit: Leo Finds His Way Through Childhood Stress."
Dawson Church, PhD, is an award-winning author whose best-selling book, The Genie in Your Genes, has been hailed as a breakthrough in the field of epigenetics.
Dawson has published numerous scientific papers, with a focus on the remarkable self-healing mechanisms now emerging at the intersection of emotion and gene expression. He applies these breakthroughs to health and athletic performance through EFTUniverse.com, which is one of the largest alternative medicine sites on the web.
Dawson was educated at Baylor University and Holos University, where he earned his doctorate under the tuition of Harvard-trained neurosurgeon Norm Shealy, MD, PhD, with whom he co-authored Soul Medicine: Awakening Your Inner Blueprint for Abundant Health and Energy.
Dawson is editor emeritus of the peer-reviewed journal Energy Psychology: Theory, Research & Treatment, and founded the nonprofit Soul Medicine Institute to research and train practitioners in energy psychology.
Best Book Award Winner in multiple categories in the following years: 2025, 2018, 2011, 2007
T. A. Barron is the highly acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of more than 30 books--including the Merlin Saga, currently being developed for film by Disney. Recently he was awarded the de Grummond Medallion for "lifetime contribution to the field of children's and young adult literature." He serves on a variety of environmental and educational NGO boards, and founded the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a national award for outstanding young people. Barron left a successful business career to follow his longstanding dream of writing. He's often found on Colorado mountain trails with his wife and children.
Best Book Award Winner for multiple titles in 2016 & 2014
Jay Conrad Levinson is the author of the best-selling marketing series in history, "Guerrilla Marketing", plus 27 other business books. His guerrilla concepts have influenced marketing so much that today his books appear in 41 languages and are required reading in many MBA programs worldwide.
Jay taught guerrilla marketing for ten years at the extension division of the University of California in Berkeley. And he was a practitioner of it in the United States -- as Senior Vice-President at J. Walter Thompson, and in Europe, as Creative Director and Board Member at Leo Burnett Advertising.
2011 Best Book Award Winner for Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters, 3.0 in the "Business: Careers" category.
Jon Land is the USA Today bestselling author of more than forty books, including Strong Enough to Die, Strong Justice, Strong at the Break, Strong Vengeance, Strong Rain Falling (winner of the 2014 International Book Award and 2013 Best Book Award for Mystery-Suspense), Strong Darkness (winner of the 2014 Best Book Award and the 2015 International Book Award for Thriller), Strong Light of Day and Strong Cold Dead (winner of the 2017 International Book Award for Best Action Thriller). Land is a graduate of Brown University. He lives in Providence, Rhode Island.
“I've been very remiss in not writing earlier to tell you how much STRONG RAIN FALLING winning the 2013 Best Book Award for Mystery/Suspense means to me, this was truly among the great highlights of my literary year and, in fact, of my entire career. I don't have to tell you that there are very few awards indeed that recognize popular and commercial fiction and I'm sure I'm joined by far more writers and readers alike in saluting you and your team for paying attention to all genres and themes across the spheres of both fiction and non-fiction.” — Jon Land
Best Book Award & International Book Award Winner in multiple categories: 2013-2025
The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, who is proud of her mixed Cherokee heritage, lives a life of extraordinary danger... as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she's found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than thirty million copies of her books in print, in over one hundred countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with too.
Her books appear regularly at the coveted #1 bestselling spot. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. Her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Chronicles of Nick and Beladors. Since 2004, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga.
Anne Geddes is one of the world's most respected and acclaimed photographers. Her classic images of newborns grace greeting cards, calendars, books, stationery, and photo albums. With two New York Times best-sellers to her credit, Anne has enjoyed worldwide critical and public acclaim.
2011 Best Book Award Winner for Beginnings in the "Photography" category.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Heather Graham, majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over two hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult and Christmas family fare.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty-five languages. She has written over 200 novels and has 60 million books in print. She has been honored with awards from booksellers and writers' organizations for excellence in her work, and she is also proud to be a recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers and was also awarded the prestigious Thriller Master in 2016. She is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from RWA. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight and local television.
Best Book Award Winner in multiple categories: 2015 and 2018 International Book Award Winner in 2017
Congratulations to All of Our Laureates! ~ 2003-2025 ~
