Future Philanthropy: The Tech, Trends & Talent Defining New Civic Leadership, have been announced as the winner of the ‘social change’ category at the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest international book awards program for independent publishers and self-published authors.
I’m thrilled that my book (that was born out of this blog) has received this international recognition. And while it’s good to be acknowledged for my work, what’s more important is that this award will expand the reach of my work as it has something for leaders at all levels in government, higher education, for purpose entities, grassroots activism, philanthropy organizations, and more.
The innovative principles outlined in the book are ultimately a blueprint for philanthropy to reach its full potential, ready to create the momentum required to adapt to society’s ever-changing needs.
2022 is the 15th year of this international book awards program that has been said to be the ‘Sundance’ of the book publishing world. The Next Generation Indie Book Awards are judged by leaders of the indie book publishing industry, including many with long careers at major publishing houses.
Award judges said that Future Philanthropy is “A must read for any humanitarians and changemakers looking for novel innovative ideas. The real-world examples provide amazing insights into the philanthropic space.”
In an article at CNN.com titled If it’s cool, creative, and different, it’s indie, journalist Catherine Andrews wrote: “The term ‘indie’ traditionally refers to independent art – music, film, literature or anything that fits under the broad banner of culture – created outside of the mainstream and without corporate financing.” That definition remains true for book publishing.
Independent book publishing companies are independent of the major conglomerates dominating the book publishing industry. Indies include small presses, larger independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
Future Philanthropy was published by values driven publishing house Wise Ink Creative Publishing based out of Minnesota in the U.S. understanding that as societal issues constantly evolve, philanthropic systems have been slow to match, leaving our communities’ needs sorely unmet.
What would happen if philanthropy became a progressive industry, rather than a sluggish and reactionary one? That’s why I wanted to write a book that provides insights into what the new toolbox for courageous social sector leaders will look like over the next decade and beyond, especially at a time where we are seeing a real democratisation in philanthropy and a renewed commitment to professionalising the fundraising sector.
According to Catherine Goulet, Founder and Co-Chair of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, “Like other independent artists, many indie book publishers face challenges that the industry giants don’t experience. The indies have to work much harder to get their best books into readers’ hands.”
“Authors and publishers who compete in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards are serious about promoting their books,” adds Goulet. “They aim to stand out from the crowd of millions of books in print.”
According to the most recent (October 2019) report by Bowker, publisher of the Books in Print database, the number of titles self-published in the United States grew to over 1.6 million in 2018, an increase of 40% over the previous year. “This trend is likely to continue as the quality of many self-published works now rivals that of traditionally published titles,” according to the report.
Worldwide, as of 2022, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates more than 2.7 million books are now being published in a single year.
To help indie authors and publishers reach a wider audience, the top 80+ books in the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards will be reviewed by New York literary agent Marilyn Allen of Allen Literary Agency (formerly the Allen O’Shea Literary Agency), or one of Ms. Allen’s co-agents, for possible representation in areas such as: distribution, foreign rights, film rights, and other rights.
Fingers crossed on that last point & thanks to everyone that has supported my work the past 6 months the book has been on the shelves 🙂
Future Philanthropy Blog 