MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA) has announced that independent publishers in the Midwest can submit entries to the 26th Annual Midwest Book Awards for excellence in books published in 2015.

The awards recognize creativity in content and execution, overall book quality, and the book’s unique contribution to its subject area. All entries must have a 2015 copyright and an ISBN.

Deadline for entries is Dec. 30. The awards are sponsored by the Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA).

“MIPA is working hard to make the awards even more prestigious,” said Sherry Roberts, book awards chairwoman. “We’ve made changes to improve the awards. Previously, the Midwest Book Awards accepted submissions into January, but that is no longer the case. The earlier deadline—Dec. 30, 2015—and limiting entries for a single title to a maximum of three categories will allow the judges more time with entries and to provide better evaluations. And now with three independent judges in each category, entries will receive more feedback than in the past.”

Eligible publishers and self-publishers must be located in MIPA’s 12-state area: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

For a complete set of rules and entry form, visit www.mipa.org or send an email to [email protected].