Announcing the Winner of the BookLife Prize; Indie Spotlight
Each year, the BookLife Prize gives us the opportunity to read hundreds of exceptional self-published titles. Selecting the finalists and the grand prize winner is both a challenge and a privilege. In this year's final issue of The Report, we announce our 2025 fiction winner: L.K. Quinn for her richly crafted, darkly beautiful novel The Toffee Man and the Kingdom of Ends. Congratulations to our winner and to our finalists! Also in this issue, we take a look at dynamic covers and shine a spotlight on festive, illustrated, and inspiring indie titles. Happy holidays, happy reading, and see you in 2026!
New and Noteworthy
A Hungry HeartL.K. Quinn has won the BookLife Prize for The Toffee Man and the Kingdom of Ends. Meet the author and read all about her powerful novel. more
Cover CrushA behind-the-scenes look at how authors and designers create covers that stand out on screens. more
Indie Spotlight: December 2025In this month's Indie Spotlight, we take a look at illustrated books, inspirational titles, and festive reads. more
Writing Advice for Indie AuthorsCurious what industry pros look for in standout indie fiction? Our five guest judges for the 2025 BookLife Prize Fiction contest share the perspectives every independent author should hear. more
BookLife Opportunities
Write for BookLife in 2026!We are seeking pitches from the BookLife community! If you are an indie author, publishing professional, or serve another role within the book world, we invite you to submit proposals for guest columns to appear in Publishers Weekly, the BookLife Report, and on the PW and BookLife websites. All authors are compensated. We are specifically looking for articles that concern the craft of writing and editing, as well as the experience of self-publishing. Please submit your pitch to booklifeeditor@booklife.com. more
Talking Shop: Evergreen Advice from Experts
- YA Romance Requires 'Crazy Imagination and Full-Blown Dreams': Author Jillian Dodd has proved that perseverance and savoring the process are key to success.
- The Five Senses of Writing: An author offers a sensory take on the creative process.
From the Shelves: New BookLife Reviews
'Santa Cutie' by Jenny Alexandra"Farwell explores the lure of second chances in this contemporary romance, following author Delaney Sharpe and former Hollywood darling Phoenix Alden." more
'Sasquatch' by Roxanne SeubertSeubert skillfully blends myth and relatable conflict, delivering an entertaining story accompanied by J. Pares’s expressive sketches. more
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The following are this week's books from PW Select, Publishers Weekly's marketing program for indie authors. To sign up your book for PW Select, click here.
 SatiSeva: Re-Imagining Recovery and Support by Julia M. Hayes |
 Nulling Out by Cheryl Jack MD |
 2125: The Hibernator by Fons Burger |
 To Never See Heaven by Garrett Garland |
 I'm Not Afraid Of Whatever The Day Might Bring by Andrew Marshall Jr. |
 Try-N-Find-Us by Frederic Buse |
 Jefferson's Spy: The Secret Life of Meriwether Lewis by Tony L. Turnbow |
 Surviving Trauma by Janice Gomes |
 And the Hills Replied by Sparhawk Hutchins |
Click here to see all the recent titles enrolled in PW Select, or click here to sign up your book for the program.
