Trade Shortlists and Key Nominations

This year, Penguin Random House and Hachette UK stand out with 14 nominations each across various categories. HarperCollins follows closely behind with 12 nominations. All three major publishers are in contention for the coveted Publisher of the Year award, with multiple divisions of Penguin Random House and Hachette nominated.

Notable inclusions on the Publisher of the Year shortlist are Bloomsbury Adult and Pan Macmillan, alongside independent publishers such as Wonderbly and Canongate.

Celebrating Individual Achievements

Prominent figures in the industry are also featured prominently in the award nominations. Past winners like Kishani Widyaratna, Carolynn Bain, and Sanchita Basu De Sarkar are returning for another round of accolades. The nominations highlight a diverse selection of publishers, ranging from Magic Cat Publishing to Titan Books.

Recent Book of the Year nominees include popular titles such as “You Are Here,” “Patriot,” and “The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks,” which have also received nominations in marketing and publicity categories.

Recognition of Book Retailers and Booksellers

Waterstones has secured three nominations, including Book Retailer of the Year and Children’s Bookseller. Annie Martin, who has progressed from the Islington branch to visual merchandising manager, is nominated for Individual Bookseller of the Year.

In the Book Retailer category, Waterstones faces competition from other notable contenders such as Leicester’s Books2Door, The Works, sustainable retailer World of Books, and online store Bookshop.org.

For Children’s Bookseller, nominees include last year’s winner, The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, along with The Edinburgh Bookshop, Kibworth Books, and others.

Independent Bookshop, Small Press, and Library Awards

The nominations for Independent Bookshop, Small Press, and Library of the Year feature exemplary establishments such as Queen’s Park Books, The Heath Bookshop, and Simply Books, alongside publishers like Bedford Square Publishers and Sweet Cherry Publishing, as well as libraries including Mullingar Library and Lewisham Libraries.

Agents and Editors in the Running

Nominations also extend to agents and editors, with nine agents vying for Agent of the Year, including Elise Dillsworth and Amanda Harris. Rights professionals and editorial talents are equally recognized, showcasing the depth of talent present in the industry.